How many hinges does a kitchen cabinet door need?

Most kitchen cabinet doors (up to 600mm tall) need 2 hinges. Tall larder or pantry doors (over 1200mm) should have 3 or more. For heavy solid-wood doors, add an extra hinge. The standard is 35mm concealed cup hinges (Blum or Hettich style).

Where should I position hinges on a door?

For concealed hinges, position the top hinge 75-100mm from the top edge and the bottom hinge the same distance from the bottom. Any middle hinges should be evenly spaced between them. For butt hinges, 100-125mm from each end is standard.

What is a 35mm concealed hinge?

A 35mm concealed hinge (also called a cup hinge or Euro hinge) uses a 35mm diameter cup that sits in a blind hole drilled in the door. The mounting plate screws to the cabinet side. It is fully concealed when the door is closed. Blum, Hettich, and Hafele are the main UK suppliers.

How deep should the hinge mortise be?

For 35mm concealed hinges, the cup hole is typically 12-13mm deep drilled with a Forstner bit. For butt hinges, the mortise (recess) should be the exact thickness of the hinge leaf, usually 1.5-2.5mm. The hinge leaf should sit flush with the wood surface.

What hinges should I use for a box lid?

Small jewellery boxes: 25mm brass butt hinges. Medium boxes: quadrant stays which hold the lid open at 90 degrees. Blanket boxes and chests: use a piano hinge (continuous hinge) for even weight distribution, plus a lid stay for safety.

WoodCalcs

Hinge Calculator — Type, Size & Placement

Determine the correct hinge type, quantity, and placement positions for doors and lids.

Application

Select the application for your project

Hinge Type

Type affects placement and number needed

Door / Lid Height

Measure floor to ceiling or top of area

Door / Lid Width

Shortest dimension of the area

Door Weight

Weight of the item

Price per Hinge (optional)

Enter your supplier price for a cost estimate

How We Calculate This

This calculator determines the number of hinges needed, their positions, and mortise depth based on door dimensions and weight.

Hinge quantity rules

Up to 600mm tall: 2 hinges | 600-1200mm: 2-3 hinges (3 if over 15 kg) | 1200-1800mm: 3 hinges | Over 1800mm: 4-5 hinges

Positioning

Top and bottom hinges are placed 80-100mm from the edges. Additional hinges are evenly spaced between them. Piano hinges run the full height and count as a single hinge.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify measurements and material quantities before cutting or purchasing.