Installing cabinet handles is one of those jobs that’s easy when the spacing’s right and annoying when it isn’t. The secret isn’t technique — it’s measuring the hole spacing before you drill. Here’s the order we tell buyers.
First — confirm the hole spacing
Before any drilling, know the center-to-center (CTC) of the handle you’re fitting. Our handles run 96, 128, 160, 192, 224 and 256 mm CTC (custom on request). The handle has to match the holes — or the holes have to match the handle. Don’t skip this.
What you need
- The handles
- A measuring tape or ruler (millimeters)
- A pencil
- A drill and the right bit for your door material
- A template or jig if you’re doing a run (saves your sanity)
Step by step
1. Measure the CTC on the handle.
Hole center to hole center. Write it down. This is your drill spacing.
2. Mark the door.
Measure where the handles go — usually centered on the door, same height across a row of cabinets. Mark both hole centers.
3. Check alignment across the run.
If you’re doing several doors, line them up. Nothing looks worse than handles a few mm off from each other. A jig makes this repeatable.
4. Drill the holes.
Use the bit sized for your screws. Go straight, not at an angle — an angled hole makes the handle sit crooked.
5. Fit the handle.
Push the posts through, add the screws from the inside, tighten by hand first.
6. Square it up, then tighten.
Make sure the handle’s level before you fully tighten. A slight twist now saves a redo later.
7. Check the grip.
Pull it. If it’s loose, snug the screws. If the door’s drilled wrong spacing, the handle won’t seat — that’s a spacing mismatch, not a fitting error.
Common mistakes
- Drilling before confirming CTC. The #1 error. Match the handle’s spacing to the holes.
- No jig on a multi-door run. Doors drift apart. Use a template.
- Angled holes. Crooked handle, every time.
- Tightening before squaring. Hard to fix once it’s snug.
If you’re replacing handles on already-drilled doors, just match the existing CTC from our list and you’re done.
FAQ
How do I know where to drill for cabinet handles?
Measure the handle’s center-to-center spacing, mark both hole centers on the door at the same height across the run, then drill.
What if my doors are already drilled?
Match the new handle’s CTC to the existing holes. Our spacings are 96–256 mm, custom on request.
Do I need a jig?
For one door, no. For a row of cabinets, yes — it keeps every handle aligned.
Why does my handle sit crooked?
Usually an angled hole or tightening before squaring. Drill straight and level it before the final tighten.