How to measure door handle spacing?

When choosing a handle on backplate, one of the most important dimensions is the door handle spacing. This measurement determines whether the new handle set will fit the lock in your door.

The spacing is the vertical distance between the centre of the handle hole and the centre of the round part of the lower opening. For WC versions, it is measured from the centre of the handle hole to the centre of the WC mechanism.

The spacing is stated in millimetres and is important mainly for handle sets on backplate. With rosette handle sets, the spacing is usually not an issue because the handle rosette and the lower rosette are separate parts.

Where is the spacing measured?

The spacing is always measured from the centre of the upper handle hole. For PZ and BB versions, the lower measuring point is the centre of the round part of the lower opening. For WC versions, it is measured to the centre of the WC mechanism.

What does door handle spacing mean?

Door handle spacing is the distance between two axes:

• the centre of the spindle hole for the handle,
• the centre of the round part of the lower opening for PZ or BB versions, or the centre of the WC mechanism.

Common door handle spacings include 72 mm and 90 mm. Entrance doors and security handle sets often use a 92 mm spacing. Always follow the dimensions of the actual lock fitted in your door.

92 mm spacing for security handle sets

In addition to the common 72 mm and 90 mm spacings, entrance doors often use a 92 mm spacing. This spacing is typical mainly for security handle sets and locks used on entrance or security doors.

When choosing a security handle set, it is therefore important to check not only the PZ - profile cylinder hole version, but also the correct lock spacing. If the lock has a 92 mm spacing, you need to choose a security handle set with the same spacing.

How to measure the spacing correctly?

Important: spacing is not the distance between screws

A common mistake is measuring the distance between the fixing screws on the backplate. This value is not the door handle spacing.

The spacing is measured between the centre of the handle hole and the correct lower measuring point. For PZ and BB versions, this is the centre of the round part of the lower opening. Fixing screws only serve to attach the handle set and their position may differ depending on the manufacturer.

Quick comparison of spacing measurement

Non-standard and special spacings

In addition to common spacings, you may also come across special or non-standard spacings. These are used mainly with special locks, older doors, technical doors or doors and locks from other European countries.

Not every country uses the same standard dimensions as those commonly available in our offer. When replacing handle sets on foreign, non-standard or older doors, we therefore recommend measuring the spacing precisely.

For some types of handles, we can also arrange custom punching of a non-standard spacing. If you need a different spacing than the one stated for the product, contact us and we will check the available options for the specific handle set.

What to check before ordering?

• Always measure the spacing from the centre of the upper handle hole.
• For PZ and BB versions, measure to the centre of the round part of the lower opening.
• For WC versions, measure to the centre of the WC mechanism.
• Do not measure the distance between screws – that is not the spacing.
• For handle sets on backplate, the handle set spacing must match the lock spacing in the door.
• The most common spacings are 72 mm and 90 mm. Security handle sets for entrance doors often use 92 mm spacing, but always check the exact lock.
• Older, foreign or special locks may have non-standard spacing.
• If you need a different spacing than the one stated for the product, contact us – for some handle types we can check the possibility of custom punching.
• With rosette handle sets, the spacing is usually not required.

Summary

Door handle spacing is the distance between the centre of the handle hole and the lower measuring point. For PZ and BB versions, this point is the centre of the round part of the lower opening.

For WC versions, the spacing is measured to the centre of the WC mechanism. This dimension is important mainly for handle sets on backplate.

With rosette handle sets, the spacing is usually not required because the handle rosette and the lower rosette are separate parts. Exceptions are mainly security handle sets for entrance doors, where you often encounter a 92 mm spacing.

Special, foreign or older locks may also use non-standard spacings. If you need a spacing that is not listed in our offer, contact us and we will check the possibility of adjustment for the specific handle set.