HPHardware Part Finder

Cabinet hinge guide

How to measure cabinet hinge overlay

Overlay is how far the closed door covers the cabinet opening on the hinge side. The reveal is the visible gap around or between doors; it is a different measurement.

Simple method

For a door that overlaps a face frame, use a ruler and removable tape:

  1. Close the door. On the hinge side, place tape on the frame next to the door and mark the closed door's edge on the tape.
  2. Open the door. Measure horizontally from the mark to the inside edge of the opening on that same hinge side. Record the measurement and units.
Measure overlay at the hinge-side edgeTwo front-view schematics of a face-frame cabinet. First, the closed door covers part of the frame; mark the door edge on the frame. Second, the door is open, exposing the mark and the opening edge. Measure horizontally between those two edges.1. DOOR CLOSED — MARK EDGECLOSED DOOR2. DOOR OPEN — MEASUREmarkopening edgeOVERLAYFace-frame example · not to scale
Measure from the mark left by the closed door to the edge of the cabinet opening on the hinge side. Do not measure the gap between doors.

This is a face-frame example. For frameless cabinets, first identify the opening and hinge-side mounting surface; if the edge is not accessible, do not guess the measurement.

An inset door sits inside the opening rather than overlapping it. Record it as inset and note its actual construction; do not enter the surrounding gap as an overlay.

Use the Printable Measurement Sheet when you need to take a record to the cabinet or compare the old and candidate hardware.

Why it matters

Overlay alone cannot establish replacement compatibility. The same overlay or cup diameter does not prove a direct replacement. Record the cup bore, door-edge boring distance, screw-hole positions and mounting plate as well; compare the full installation with the manufacturer's documentation. The illustrated legacy-hinge bench sheet shows the other measurements.

After collecting what you know, use the Cabinet Hinge Finder to record the details and see whether more evidence is needed.