September 14, 2018

How to measure drawer pulls

Center-to-center Dimensions Guide on Drawer Pulls and Knobs

One of the most exciting steps of building or remodeling your cabinetry is choosing the new drawer pulls and door hardware that will add that bit of charm that makes your cabinets and drawers more… you! There are a variety of cabinet hardware options to choose from, one for every style: classic, vintage, contemporary, wild and unusual, the options go on and on.

Replacing these cabinet handles can be a little tricky. Old and new cabinet hardware usually varies in size, so besides knowing the positioning of the cabinet hardware on the cabinet door, you also have to take one important detail into consideration: the center-to-center measurement.

The Center-to-Center of any drawer pull is the distance between the center of one screw hole to the center of the other. Measuring the center-to-center of the drawer pull is key in determining what new drawer pulls and knobs will fit and whether you’ll need to drill new mounting holes or fit into existing ones.

If you are building a new cabinet from scratch, the center-to-center measurement will guide you in drilling your holes. Make sure to precisely measure where the new hardware will be placed with a leveler too – you definitely don’t want your drawer pulls and knobs to look unbalanced.

Tip: A good rule of thumb, before you start drilling holes, get masking tape, a pencil, and a ruler. Masking tape is very helpful because you’ll be able to mark the cabinets without damaging them. Remember, measure twice, cut once!

On the other hand, if you are just replacing old hardware, the center-to-center measurement will help you make the right purchase. Before buying cabinet pulls or knobs, make sure that it has the same center-to-center measurement as your old hardware.

Tip: In addition to measuring your center-to-center, note the height and width of your old hardware. That way, you can get new drawer pulls and knobs that are at least that size to cover any wear marks (or the opposite, any unblemished areas that were previously covered).

The size of the new hardware varies depending on the size of the cabinets or doors. This may seem obvious, but for larger cabinetry, larger drawer handles fit the space better, and for smaller drawers, use smaller handles. Here’s a drawer pull guide selection guide:

Small Cabinetry: For small drawers, use knobs, small drawer pulls or tab drawer pulls ranging from 1” inch to 1-9/16”. Drawers this size are usually used for kitchen cabinet hardware for a spice rack drawer or for specialty drawers in a dressing table.

Standard Cabinetry: This size opens up a variety of options. The most common lengths are 3”, 4”, and 6” inch drawer handles. Kitchens and bathrooms typically have standard drawer sizes and upper cabinets where these options work best.

Oversized Cabinetry: Oversized furniture is less common, usually found in modern kitchens, and oversized hardware to match doors and drawers can be more difficult to find. Or it can be custom built. Drawers and door handles can go from 20” and up.

Learn more about Mockett's high quality drawer pull options and use our center-to-center guide to find replacement drawer handles or knobs for your next project.

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