Push-to-Open Latches & Magnetic Catches: How Handleless Systems Work

January 31, 2026

Push-to-Open latches and magnetic catches are mechanical release systems for handleless furniture fronts. Applying light pressure to the door or drawer triggers a spring-loaded pin that pushes the front open just enough to grip. Magnetic catches also hold the door securely in the closed position using a metallic counterplate.

What exactly are push-to-open latches and magnetic catches?

A push-to-open latch (frequently referred to as a push latch) is a furniture fitting that enables cabinet doors and drawers to open without external handles. Inside its cylindrical or rectangular housing sits a compression spring. When the front is closed, this spring is compressed and locked via a catch mechanism – similar to how a ballpoint pen works. Pressing the front again releases the lock, allowing the spring to expand so the integrated pin pushes the door open.

A magnetic catch is a specific variant of the push-to-open latch. Here, the tip of the ejector pin is magnetic. A small metal plate is fitted to the inside of the cabinet door. The magnet ensures that the door rests flush against the cabinet carcase when closed, preventing it from accidentally popping open.

Types and variants of handleless systems

The mechanism differs significantly depending on the furniture component:

For hinged doors: Separate push-to-open latches are used here. Crucial for installation: these latches strictly require concealed cabinet hinges without a self-closing mechanism (unsprung) or with an inverse spring. If standard hinges are used, the closing spring of the hinge works against the release spring of the push latch, blocking proper operation.
For drawers: With drawers, the release mechanism is usually built directly into the runner. Such push to open drawer runners are available as partial extension or full extension.
Combination with soft close: Technically speaking, soft-close (damping during closure) and push-to-open (spring pressure during opening) are opposing forces. However, premium runners offer combined systems. In these, the user tensions a mechanical energy store when manually pushing the drawer closed, before the damper takes over for the final few centimetres.

Dimensions, standards, and typical values

For professional planning and installation, the following technical parameters are decisive:

Stroke length (throw): The pin typically extends between 20 mm and 40 mm. For larger fronts, a longer stroke is required to allow enough room to comfortably reach behind the door.
Gap clearance: For the mechanism to trigger, the front must be able to be pushed inwards. The gap clearance between the front and the cabinet carcase must strictly be set to 2 mm - 3 mm.
Mounting types: Push-to-open latches can be fitted as a drill-in version (e.g. drilling a 10 mm diameter hole with a 50 mm depth into the carcase edge) or as a surface-mounted version using an adapter plate. Fastening is typically done using countersunk wood screws and furniture screws (e.g. 3.5 x 16 mm).

Usage and selection

Choosing the right system depends on the weight and dimensions of the front. For heavy MDF or solid wood doors, a push-to-open latch with a strong spring (often specified in Newtons) must be selected.

The positioning of the latch is essential for leverage. It should be mounted on the opening side – ideally at the height where the user would intuitively press, matching the spot where a furniture handle would normally be placed. For especially wide drawers (from approx. 600 mm upwards), using a synchronisation rod is necessary so that the runners on both sides release simultaneously, even if the front is pressed off-centre.