Hole Centres (CC) for Furniture Handles: Definition & Standard Dimensions (32mm System)

October 30, 2025

Hole centres (often abbreviated as CC for centre-to-centre) refer to the exact distance between the centres of the two fixing holes on a furniture handle. It is the crucial dimension when replacing handles, as it must match the existing holes in the furniture front precisely. In the European furniture industry, this measurement is standardised based on the System 32.

What Are Hole Centres Exactly?

When installing fittings on cupboards, chests of drawers, or kitchen fronts, the hole centres dimension is typically abbreviated as "CC" or "BA" on technical drawings. It defines solely the distance between the drill hole centres.

A common mistake during planning or replacement is confusing the hole centre spacing with the overall length of the handle. While the overall length describes the external dimensions of the component, only the hole centre distance is relevant for screwing through the front (usually with an M4 thread). If this measurement is not accurate to the millimetre, the handle cannot be fitted into the existing holes.

Dimensions and Standards: The System 32

The System 32 is the cornerstone of modern furniture construction. This European standard specifies that drillings for fittings, shelf supports, and hinges are laid out in a grid pattern of 32 mm. The hole centres of cupboard handles also follow this strict mathematical sequence.

When replacing handles, the measured distance will usually be a multiple of 32 mm. Typical standard dimensions are:

64 mm (2 x 32)
96 mm (3 x 32)
128 mm (4 x 32)
160 mm – common for standard kitchen cupboards, see Furniture Handles 160mm
192 mm – for wider pull-outs, see Furniture Handles 192mm
256 mm – for heavy fronts, see Furniture Handles 256mm
320 mm and upwards for full-height cupboard doors.

Characteristics of Different Handle Types

Depending on the design of the handle, the hole centre spacing relates differently to its visible shape on the front:

T-bar / Rail handle: In this design, the ends extend past the mounting bases. A rail handle from the stainless steel furniture handles range with hole centres of 160 mm often has an overall length of 200 mm or more.
Edge profile handle: These handles are fitted onto the top or rear edge of the front and fastened from behind. These also have defined hole centres for the rear screws, although the handles conceal the drill holes completely.
Furniture knob: A classic knob has only a single fixing point. Here, hole centres are not applicable; only a single hole (typically 5 mm diameter) is required. Such variants are frequently found in the round furniture knobs section.

Usage & Selection: How to Measure Correctly

To determine the correct hole centre measurement on an existing piece of furniture, use callipers or an accurate ruler. Do not measure from the inside edge to the inside edge of the holes, but strictly from hole centre to hole centre.

A technical tip for precise measurement without callipers: measure from the left-hand edge of the left drill hole to the left-hand edge of the right drill hole. This dimension corresponds exactly to the distance between the centres.

Once the measurement is established, the material can be chosen to suit the interior scheme. For humid rooms or kitchens, corrosion-resistant materials like aluminium furniture handles are recommended, whilst powder-coated surfaces such as matt black furniture handles are widely used in living areas.

Related Terms

System 32: International standard for hole rows in furniture construction (grid pitch 32 mm).
Overall length: The total external measurement of a handle from end to end.
M4 thread: The standard metric thread for furniture handle fixing screws.