Determining Door Handing for Door Locksets
Step 1: Be on the outside
For exterior doors: Face the door from the outside. Or in other words, stand on the side where you would insert a key if it’s a locking door.
For interior doors: Stand on the side of the door you would enter from. For instance, stand in the hallway if the door opens to a bedroom.
Step 2: Know your swing
Now open the door. Does the door swing inward or outward? Remember the swing as it will be important for the final step!
Step 3: Locate your hinges
Next, still standing from the outside locate which side of the door the hinges are on. Left or right?
Step 4: Choose your side
Finally, use this quick and easy chart to determine your door handing:
Door Swing | Hinge Location | Your Door Handing
(Door Locksets) |
Inward | Left | Left-handed |
Inward | Right | Right-handed |
Outward | Left | Left-handed |
Outward | Right | Right-handed |