Hinges Compatible with IKEA Utrusta & Pax: Choosing the Right Concealed Cup Hinge Replacement

May 1, 2026

A concealed cup hinge for cabinet systems such as IKEA Utrusta or Pax generally requires a 35 mm cup diameter and a hole pattern compatible with the established System 32 when replaced.

When fittings on heavily used wardrobes or kitchen units wear out, replacing the entire door is rarely necessary. Swapping the hinges restores functionality or upgrades the cabinet technically – for example, by adding integrated soft-close damping. Because large furniture manufacturers rely on standardised industrial norms for their carcass systems, defective or basic fittings can easily be replaced with precisely fitting alternatives. This guide provides the technical specifications needed to determine the exact replacement hardware for your specific carcass dimensions and door positions.

Key Purchasing Criteria for Replacement Hinges

When replacing hinges on existing cabinets, the geometric specifications of the pre-drilled holes must be strictly observed. If these parameters are ignored, the door cannot be mounted correctly or will fail to close flush.

Cup Diameter and Drilling Depth

The concealed cup hinge is the standard hinge in modern furniture construction. It consists of the hinge arm and the cup, which is recessed into a drilled hole on the inside of the door. For systems like Pax or kitchen frontals for Utrusta, this cup diameter standard is 35 mm. The routing depth is typically 11.5 mm to 13 mm. Smaller 26 mm variants are not used in these systems. For a direct replacement, you will strictly require Concealed Cup Hinges 35 mm.

The Hole Pattern and System 32

Securing the mounting plate inside the cabinet carcass relies on pre-drilled rows of holes. These are based on System 32. This means: the distance between the drilled holes is exactly 32 mm, and the distance from the front carcass edge to the first row of holes typically measures 37 mm. Much like the bolt pattern on vehicle wheels, the hole pattern of the new hinge must match the pre-drilled holes in the door and carcass precisely so that load distribution works without issue.

Selecting the Correct Overlay Type

The position of the door relative to the carcass side panel defines the overlay type. Choosing the incorrect overlay will result in the door binding or protruding awkwardly.

Full overlay (corner overlay): When closed, the door rests almost completely over the front edge of the carcass side panel, leaving only a narrow reveal of around 1.5 mm to 2 mm. This is standard for freestanding wardrobes with a single door per outer edge. For this setup, select Concealed Cup Hinges Full Overlay.
Half overlay (twin overlay): Two doors meet at a single, shared central carcass partition. Each door covers only half of the panel edge so both doors can open independently. The hinge arm is slightly cranked. The suitable component is found under Concealed Cup Hinges Half Overlay.
Inset (internal mount): The door does not sit on top of the carcass panel, but closes flush within the cabinet opening between the side panels. The front edges of the carcass remain visible. The hinge arm is deeply cranked. For these setups, you need Concealed Cup Hinges Inset or Concealed Cup Hinges for Inset Doors.

Opening Angles and Special Features at a Glance

Alongside physical mounting dimensions, hinge kinematics determine everyday user comfort. The opening angle defines how far the door can swing open.

Standard Angles for Regular Cabinet Doors

For standard wardrobe or wall units, an opening angle of 110° is the technical norm. It allows comfortable access to the interior without swinging too far into the room or knocking against adjacent units. Corresponding versions are available in the section Concealed Cup Hinges / Cabinet Hinges 110 Degrees.

Wide-Angle Hinges for Internal Drawers

If internal drawers or pull-out wire baskets are fitted inside the cabinet, a standard opening angle is often insufficient, as the opened door would obstruct the drawer path. In these cases, wide-angle hinges with 155° or 165° are used. These swing the door completely clear of the interior opening (zero protrusion). Suitable hardware is categorised as Concealed Cup Hinges / Cabinet Hinges 155 Degrees and Concealed Cup Hinges / Cabinet Hinges 165 Degrees.

Specialised Angles for Corner Solutions

For L-shaped kitchen layouts or angled carcasses, standard angles are unsuitable. Special corner cabinets with bi-fold doors or specific carcass angles require fittings designed for 30°, 45°, or 90°. These can be found in technical categories such as Concealed Cup Hinges / Cabinet Hinges 45 Degrees or Concealed Cup Hinges / Cabinet Hinges 90 Degrees.

Soft-Close Damping Technology

Loud slamming of cabinet doors can be prevented using hydraulic dampers. Modern Concealed Cup Hinges / Cabinet Hinges with Soft Close have this mechanism built directly into the hinge cup or the hinge arm. During closure, the damper absorbs the kinetic energy starting from an angle of roughly 30°, pulling the door shut smoothly and silently. Soft-close should not be confused with tip-on (push-to-open) – the two systems are mutually exclusive because soft-close holds the door closed, whereas push-to-open forces it open.

Which Hinge for Which Scenario? (Decision Guide)

To prevent ordering mistakes, match your project with the following requirements:

If you want to replace a freestanding wardrobe door (e.g., Pax) that overlays the side panel, then choose a full overlay concealed cup hinge with a 35 mm cup and a 110° angle.
If you are retrofitting internal drawers into a tall kitchen unit (e.g., Metod/Utrusta), then you must swap the existing hinges for wide-angle 155° or 165° hinges, otherwise the full-extension runners will foul against the inside of the door.
If two doors are attached to a shared 18 mm centre partition inside the carcass, then you strictly require half overlay fittings.
If you want to silence old, slamming cabinet doors, then opt for Concealed Cup Hinges / Cabinet Hinges with an integrated soft-close mechanism. The hole pattern remains identical.

Installation Guide for Replacements

Replacing cabinet hinges is a precise yet straightforward task. Required tools:

Cross-head screwdriver (usually PZ2).
Optional: Cordless screwdriver with matching bit.

Removal: On modern clip-on hinges, release the door by pressing the release catch at the rear of the hinge arm. The door can now be lifted off. Next, unscrew the cruciform mounting plate from the carcass wall and the hinge cup from the door.

Installation:

Insert the new cup hinge into the 35 mm recess in the door. Ensure it is aligned perfectly square to the door edge.
Screw the hinge cup securely into place.
Mount the new cruciform mounting plate into the existing System 32 holes on the carcass side panel.
Clip the hinge arm onto the mounting plate. A distinct click confirms it is firmly engaged.

Adjustment: After mounting, align the door gaps. This is done via three adjustment screws on the hinge arm:

Depth adjustment: Regulates the gap between the door and the carcass.
Height adjustment: Loosening the mounting plate screws slightly allows the door to move up or down by approximately 2 mm.
Lateral adjustment: Tilts the door left or right to create uniform, parallel gaps with adjacent frontals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are hinges for IKEA cabinets standardised? Yes. Although IKEA uses proprietary trade names like Utrusta, their hardware is based on standard industrial dimensions. The cup diameter is 35 mm, and carcass mounting uses the standardised System 32. Therefore, standard replacement hinges matching these specifications fit without issue.

What does the 110° or 153° specification mean for Utrusta? These values describe the maximum opening angle of the cabinet door. A 110° hinge is the standard for regular doors. A 153° or 155° hinge allows the door to swing open wider, which is mandatory when pulling internal drawers out of the unit.

Can I replace un-damped hinges with soft-close hinges? Yes, this is always possible. As long as the cup diameter (35 mm) and overlay type (e.g. full overlay) are identical, you can remove standard fittings and fit models with integrated soft-close. The existing screw holes in the panel can be reused.

Why is my newly fitted cabinet door not closing fully? This is usually caused by incorrect lateral or depth adjustment. If the door is pulled too tight against the carcass, it will bind on the hinge side. Turn the front adjustment screw on the hinge arm slightly to increase the gap on the hinge side to roughly 1.5 mm to 2 mm.

Which screws should I use for installation? For securing the hinge cup into the door and the mounting plate into the carcass, Euro screws (for 5 mm holes) or countersunk wood screws (typically 3.5 mm x 15 mm or 4 mm x 16 mm) are standard. Ensure you use the correct drive type, usually Pozidriv (PZ).

Relevant Categories for Your Project

To find the appropriate fittings for replacing or upgrading your cabinetry hardware, navigate directly by technical specification:

Overview of all options: Concealed Cup Hinges / Cabinet Hinges
For standard cabinet doors: Concealed Cup Hinges / Cabinet Hinges 110 Degrees
For units with internal pull-outs: Concealed Cup Hinges / Cabinet Hinges 155 Degrees
For gentle closing: Concealed Cup Hinges / Cabinet Hinges with Soft Close
Standard cup routing dimension: Concealed Cup Hinges 35 mm