Sizing Guide
Sizing guide
The right hardware size shifts how a kitchen or bathroom feels — too small looks fussy, too large looks oversized. This guide walks through how cabinet hardware is measured, what sizes we offer, and how to pick the right size for your project.
If you're replacing existing hardware, jump to the How to measure existing hardware section. If you're starting fresh, the Choosing the right size section gives recommendations by cabinet type.
The basics: center-to-center
Cabinet pulls and handles are sized by center-to-center measurement — the distance between the two screw holes, not the total length of the piece.
◯─────────────────◯
←─── center-to-center ───→
←──────── total length ────────→
So a "128mm pull" means the screw holes are 128mm apart. The actual handle is usually 20–40mm longer than the center-to-center measurement to allow for the curve at each end.
Knobs and small round pulls don't have a center-to-center measurement — they have a single screw and are sized by their head diameter.
Standard sizes (inches ↔ mm conversion)
Cabinet hardware uses metric (mm) sizing as the global standard, even in the United States. Here's the conversion for the most common sizes:
| Metric (mm) | Imperial (inches) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 32 mm | 1¼" | Small drawers, sliding doors, jewellery cabinets |
| 64 mm | 2½" | Compact drawers, accent pulls |
| 96 mm | 3¾" | Kitchen drawers (standard), small base cabinets |
| 128 mm | 5" | Medium cabinets, bathroom vanities, drawer fronts |
| 160 mm | 6⅜" | Large drawers, wardrobe doors, pantry drawers |
| 192 mm | 7⅝" | Pantry doors, tall cabinets, oversized drawers |
| 224 mm | 8¾" | Refrigerator panels, dishwasher panels, statement pulls |
| 288 mm | 11¼" | Appliance pulls (extra long), full-height pantry |
Note for U.S. customers: Older U.S. cabinets sometimes use exact inch measurements — 3" (76mm), 4" (102mm), or 6" (152mm) — which don't convert cleanly to metric. If you're replacing hardware on cabinets installed before 2010, measure carefully before ordering. We can usually source close metric equivalents but the holes may need to be re-drilled by 2–10mm.
What sizes Archandle offers
We stock our most popular pieces in these sizes, with the most common (96mm and 128mm) available in every collection:
| Size | Typical use | Available in |
|---|---|---|
| 32mm | Small drawer pulls, accent pulls | Most collections |
| 96mm | Standard kitchen and bathroom drawers | All collections |
| 128mm | Medium cabinets, vanities | All collections |
| 160mm | Large drawers, wardrobe | Most collections |
| 192mm | Pantry doors | Selected collections |
| 224mm+ | Appliance pulls | Appliance Pull collection only |
Knobs are offered in 25mm, 32mm, and 38mm head diameters across most collections.
If a size you need isn't shown on a product page, email hello@archandles.com — we may have stock available that isn't listed.
How to measure existing hardware
If you're replacing what's already on the cabinet, this is the easiest way to get the right size:
- Remove one piece of existing hardware by unscrewing it from the inside of the cabinet door or drawer
- Measure between the two screw holes — center to center
- Use a metric ruler if you have one. If you only have an inch ruler, measure to the nearest 16th and use the conversion table above
- Check more than one piece. Some kitchens use mixed sizes (smaller pulls on small drawers, larger pulls on bigger drawers). Measure all the sizes you want to replace
- Order the matching size. If your measurement falls between standard sizes (e.g. you measure 100mm), the closest standard size that fits the existing holes is what you want
Important: If you order hardware in a different center-to-center size than your existing holes, you'll need to either drill new holes (and fill the old ones) or use back-plates that cover the existing holes. We can help you think through this — email hello@archandles.com with photos of your cabinet doors.
Choosing the right size (new installation)
If you're starting fresh — new cabinets, new construction, or replacing every piece of hardware — here's how to think about size by cabinet type.
Kitchen drawers
The general rule: pull length should be ⅓ to ½ of the drawer width.
| Drawer width | Recommended pull (center-to-center) |
|---|---|
| Up to 12" / 30cm | 96mm |
| 12–18" / 30–45cm | 96mm or 128mm |
| 18–24" / 45–60cm | 128mm or 160mm |
| 24–36" / 60–90cm | 160mm or 192mm |
| 36"+ / 90cm+ | 192mm or 224mm |
For a more modern, statement look, go with the larger end of each range. For a traditional or restrained look, go smaller.
Kitchen base cabinets (with doors)
Base cabinets typically use either a knob or a small pull near the top corner of the door:
- Knob: 25–38mm diameter, centered roughly 75mm from the top corner
- Pull: 96mm or 128mm center-to-center, mounted vertically
Modern kitchens increasingly use small pulls (96mm) on doors instead of knobs for visual consistency with drawers. Traditional kitchens use knobs.
Bathroom vanities
Bathroom vanities are usually narrower than kitchen cabinets, so smaller pulls work well:
- Single drawer (12–18"): 96mm pull or 32mm knob
- Double-drawer vanity: 96mm or 128mm pulls, matched
- Cabinet doors below sink: 96mm pull or 32mm knob
Pantry and tall cabinets
Tall cabinet doors (anything over 30" / 75cm tall) need longer pulls for proportion:
- 30–48" / 75–120cm tall: 160mm or 192mm pull
- 48"+ / 120cm+ (full-height pantry): 192mm or 224mm pull
- Mounted vertically, positioned roughly halfway down the door
Wardrobe and laundry cabinets
These typically use the largest pulls in the home:
- Wardrobe doors: 160mm or 192mm pull, mounted vertically
- Laundry cabinet drawers: match kitchen drawer sizing
- Bi-fold or sliding doors: flush edge pulls or 96mm bar pulls
Appliance pulls (refrigerator, dishwasher panels)
Appliance pulls are always longer than cabinet pulls — they need to balance the visual weight of a full appliance front:
- Dishwasher panel: 192mm or 224mm
- Single-door fridge: 224mm or 288mm
- French-door fridge: 288mm pulls (one per door)
We sell appliance pulls separately from our cabinet collection because they're built heavier — full metal construction with reinforced mounting points.
Knob vs pull: which to choose?
| Knobs | Pulls | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Cabinet doors, small drawers | Drawers of any size, large doors |
| Visual feel | Traditional, restrained, classic | Modern, statement, generous |
| Function | Single grip-point — better for doors | Two-handed grip — better for heavy drawers |
| Mounting holes | One hole | Two holes |
| Cost per piece | Usually lower | Usually higher |
Mixing knobs and pulls in one kitchen is fine — and increasingly common. The typical pattern: knobs on cabinet doors, pulls on drawers. Match the finish across both, and the kitchen reads as cohesive.
Cabinet door thickness and screws
Standard cabinet doors and drawer fronts are ¾" / 19mm thick. Our products ship with screws sized for this standard.
If your cabinet doors are thicker — common with custom-built solid-wood doors, some shaker doors, and certain European cabinets — you may need longer screws. Standard hardware screws come in:
- Standard: 25mm (1") — works for ¾" doors
- Long: 32mm (1¼") — works for 7⁄8" – 1" doors
- Extra long: 38mm (1½") — works for 1" – 1¼" doors
Longer screws are available at any hardware store for under $5. If you're not sure what thickness your cabinet doors are, measure the edge of an existing drawer front with a ruler — most are ¾" / 19mm.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Don't measure the total length of a pull and order that size. "Center-to-center" is what counts — the screw holes
- Don't assume all drawers in a kitchen use the same size. Many kitchens mix sizes (smaller pulls on smaller drawers)
- Don't go smaller than the recommendation. Undersized hardware looks fussy and is harder to grip
- Don't mix old imperial-sized hardware with new metric. 3" centers (76mm) and 96mm look identical from a distance but don't share holes
- Don't forget to check the back-plate diameter on existing hardware. Some old hardware has a wide decorative back-plate that hides nicked or oversized holes — replacement hardware without a back-plate will reveal them
Still unsure?
Send a photo of your cabinet doors or drawers (with a tape measure visible) to hello@archandles.com, and we'll recommend the right size and quantity. Replies usually within one business day.
For full installation steps once your hardware arrives, see our Installation Guide.