How to Measure Kitchen Cabinet Hinges Accurately

August 25, 2026

Replacing worn or outdated cabinet hardware is one of the quickest ways to restore smooth functionality to your kitchen doors. However, buying the correct replacement requires taking precise kitchen hinges measurements before placing an order. Concealed cup hinges may look remarkably similar at a glance, but slight variations in cup size, screw spacing, or overlay type will prevent your doors from closing properly. Follow this step-by-step guide to measure your existing fittings accurately.

Measuring the Hinge Cup and Drilling Dimensions

The circular recess routed into the back of your cabinet door is known as the cup hole. Getting these dimensions right is vital, as re-drilling a cabinet door is difficult and can ruin the finish.

Cup Diameter: Measure the width of the circular metal cup inserted into the door. In modern UK kitchens, the standard diameter is 35 mm. Smaller decorative or compact doors sometimes use 26 mm cups, while heavy-duty doors may require 40 mm cups.
Cup Depth: Measure how deep the hole is drilled into the door. Standard depths typically range between 10.5 mm and 12.5 mm. Ensure your new hardware will not sit proud or breach the front face of a thin door.
Drilling Distance (C-Dimension): Measure the narrow strip of wood between the edge of the circular cup hole and the outer edge of the door. This measurement is usually between 3 mm and 7 mm and directly affects how the door aligns with the carcass.

Determining Screw Hole Spacing and Centres

Concealed hinges are secured to the door via two screws on either side of the cup. To avoid drilling fresh holes into your door, record these exact kitchen hinge measurements:

Hole-to-Hole Distance: Measure from the centre of one screw hole to the centre of the other. The standard spacing across the industry is typically 45 mm, 48 mm, or 52 mm.
Setback from Cup Centre: Measure the distance from the centre of the main cup hole to the line connecting the two fixing screws. Most standard patterns place these holes either 9 mm or 9.5 mm offset from the cup centre.

Identifying the Door Overlay Type

The relationship between your cabinet door and the carcass frame dictates the crank angle of the hinge arm. Check how your door sits against the front edge of the cabinet side panel:

Full Overlay: The door covers the entire front edge of the carcass wall (usually 15 mm to 18 mm). This requires a straight-arm hinge with no crank.
Half Overlay (Twin): Two doors share a single central cabinet divider, each covering roughly half the edge. This requires a half-cranked hinge (often around an 8 mm or 9 mm bend in the arm).
Inset: The door sits entirely inside the carcass opening, flush with the cabinet edges. This requires a full-crank hinge (with a pronounced bend, usually 15 mm to 17 mm).

Measuring Mounting Plates and Carcass Fixings

The mounting plate attaches to the cabinet carcass wall and holds the hinge arm in place. Standard UK cabinetry uses the 32 mm system, meaning the vertical distance between the centre of the two mounting plate screw holes is usually 32 mm. Measure the setback from the front edge of the cabinet side panel to the front screw hole (typically 37 mm). Taking these kitchen hinges measurements ensures your new plates align directly with the pre-drilled system holes inside your cabinet.