How to Choose the Right Cabinet Handle Size: A Complete Guide

2026-02-09Cabinet Hardware

Choosing cabinet handles seems simple until you're standing in the hardware aisle staring at hundreds of options in different sizes, finishes, and styles. The wrong size handle can make your cabinets look awkward, feel uncomfortable, or even make drawers difficult to open. This guide will help you choose the perfect handle size for every cabinet and drawer in your kitchen or bathroom.

Understanding Handle Measurements

Before shopping, you need to understand three key measurements:

Center-to-center (C-C): The distance between the centers of the two screw holes. This is the most important measurement because it must match the holes in your cabinet doors/drawers (or new holes you'll drill). Common sizes: 3 inches, 3-3/4 inches (96mm), 5 inches (128mm), 6-5/16 inches (160mm), and 7-1/2 inches (192mm).
Overall length: The total length of the handle from end to end. This determines the visual proportion on your cabinet door.
Projection: How far the handle sticks out from the cabinet surface. Typically 1 to 1.5 inches. Important in tight spaces where handles that project too far can catch on clothing or bump into adjacent cabinets.

Handle Size by Cabinet Type

Small Doors (Under 18 Inches Wide)

For upper cabinet doors and other small doors, a 3-inch to 5-inch (C-C) pull works best. Knobs are also an excellent choice for small doors — they're proportional and functional. A large pull on a small door looks overpowering and unbalanced.

Standard Doors (18–24 Inches Wide)

Most standard kitchen doors look best with 5-inch to 6-5/16-inch (C-C) pulls. This provides a comfortable grip and visually balanced proportion. This is the most common door size, and the 5-inch (128mm) pull is the most popular choice nationwide for good reason.

Large Doors (Over 24 Inches Wide)

Pantry doors, tall cabinet doors, and oversized doors benefit from longer handles: 7-1/2-inch to 12-inch (C-C) pulls. A large door with a tiny handle looks incomplete. Some designers use multiple pulls on very tall doors.

Drawers

Drawer pulls are typically sized proportional to the drawer width:

12-inch drawer: 3-inch to 3-3/4-inch pull, or a knob
15–18-inch drawer: 5-inch pull
21–24-inch drawer: 5-inch to 6-5/16-inch pull
30–36-inch drawer: 7-1/2-inch to 12-inch pull, or two knobs/pulls spaced evenly

A general rule: the pull should be about one-third the width of the drawer front.

Knobs vs Pulls: When to Use Each

This is partly aesthetic and partly functional:

Knobs work best on: Doors (where you're pulling to the side), small drawers, traditional/transitional kitchens, and upper cabinets.
Pulls work best on: Drawers (where you're pulling outward), large doors, heavy drawers, contemporary/modern kitchens, and any cabinet you access frequently.
A popular combination: Knobs on all doors + pulls on all drawers. This provides visual variety and functional optimization.

From an ergonomic standpoint, pulls are easier to grip for people with arthritis or limited hand strength. If accessibility is a concern, use pulls throughout.

Handle Placement Rules

On Doors

Upper cabinets: Place the handle on the bottom corner of the door, on the side opposite the hinges. Position it 2.5 to 3 inches from the bottom edge and 2 to 3 inches from the side edge.
Lower cabinets: Place the handle on the upper corner of the door, on the side opposite the hinges. Position it 2.5 to 3 inches from the top edge.
Vertical placement on long handles: Long pulls can be mounted vertically on tall doors like pantries. Center the handle vertically on the door.

On Drawers

Horizontal center: Center the pull or knob on the drawer front, both horizontally and vertically. For drawers under 6 inches tall, center the hardware vertically. For taller drawer fronts, position the pull slightly above center — about one-third down from the top.
Double pull placement: For wide drawers with two pulls, divide the drawer front into thirds and place each pull at the one-third marks.

Choosing a Handle Finish

Your handle finish should complement (not necessarily match exactly) your kitchen's other metal elements:

Brushed nickel/satin nickel: The most versatile finish. Works with stainless steel appliances, gray and white kitchens, transitional styles.
Matte black: Trending strongly. Works with virtually any cabinet color, especially white, gray, and natural wood. Creates a modern or farmhouse look.
Polished chrome: Clean and bright. Best for modern and contemporary kitchens. Shows fingerprints more than brushed finishes.
Oil-rubbed bronze: Warm and traditional. Pairs well with dark cabinets, warm wood tones, and rustic styles.
Brass/gold: Making a major comeback. Unlacquered brass develops a living patina. Pairs beautifully with navy, green, and white cabinets.
Mixed metals: Mixing two finishes (e.g., brass pulls with a black faucet) is an accepted design approach. Keep it intentional — limit to two metal finishes per room.

Measuring for Replacement Hardware

If you're replacing existing handles:

Measure the center-to-center distance of the existing screw holes. This is your most important number.
Choose new handles with the same C-C measurement to reuse existing holes. If you want a different C-C size, you'll need to fill the old holes and drill new ones.
Check the screw size. Most cabinet hardware uses #8-32 machine screws, but some use metric (M4). Measure the thread diameter and bring an old screw to the store to match.
Check screw length needed. Measure the thickness of the cabinet door or drawer front. The screw should be long enough to pass through the door and thread fully into the handle (usually the door thickness + 3/8 inch).

How to Install Cabinet Handles

Make a drilling template. Cut a piece of cardboard to match the handle's screw spacing. Punch holes at the screw locations. This ensures consistent placement on every door and drawer.
Position the template. Tape or hold the template in position on the door. Use a pencil to mark through the holes.
Drill pilot holes. Use a 3/16-inch drill bit for standard #8-32 screws. Drill from the front of the door to minimize splintering on the visible surface. Place painter's tape over the drilling location first to further prevent chipping.
Attach the handle. Insert screws from the back of the door through the holes, and thread them into the handle on the front. Tighten until snug — don't over-tighten or you'll strip the threads in the handle.

Filling Old Hardware Holes

If your new hardware has a different hole spacing:

Fill old holes with wood filler or auto-body filler (for painted cabinets). Apply with a putty knife, let dry, and sand smooth.
For stained/natural wood cabinets, use a tinted wood filler that matches the wood color or glue in small wooden dowels cut flush.
Touch up paint or finish over the filled areas.
Drill new holes for the new hardware using your template.

Some new handles may have a large enough backplate to cover old holes entirely — this is the easiest solution if you don't want to fill holes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular cabinet pull size? The 5-inch (128mm) center-to-center pull is the most popular size nationwide. It's proportional for most standard cabinet doors and comfortable to grip.

Should all cabinet handles match? They don't have to, but they should coordinate. A common approach is using one style of pull in different sizes for doors vs. drawers, all in the same finish. Mixing knobs on doors with pulls on drawers in the same finish is also classic.

How much should I spend on cabinet hardware? Budget $3–$8 per piece for good quality hardware. For a kitchen with 30 cabinets and drawers, expect to spend $100–$250 total. Premium designer hardware can be $15–$50+ per piece.

Can I install handles on cabinets that have knobs currently? Yes. If you're switching from knobs (one hole) to pulls (two holes), you can often use one existing hole and drill one new one. Measure carefully from the existing hole.