Calculate cabinet door sizes from any opening for overlay, inset, and frameless cabinets, including single and double door widths.
Cabinet Door Formula
The size of a cabinet door depends on the cabinet opening, the mounting style, and how many doors cover the opening. The calculator uses one of the formulas below depending on the style and door count you select.
Overlay doors (single):
DW = OW + 2OL DH = OH + 2OL
Overlay doors (double):
DW = (OW + 2OL - G) / 2 DH = OH + 2OL
Inset and frameless doors (single):
DW = OW - 2RV DH = OH - 2RV
Inset and frameless doors (double):
DW = (OW - 2RV - G) / 2 DH = OH - 2RV
- DW = door width per door
- DH = door height per door
- OW = opening width (cabinet box width for frameless)
- OH = opening height (cabinet box height for frameless)
- OL = overlay per side, the amount the door covers the frame on each edge
- RV = reveal per side, the gap left around an inset or frameless door on each edge
- G = center gap between two doors
For overlay cabinets the door is larger than the opening, so the overlay is added to each side. For inset and frameless cabinets the door sits inside the opening or covers the box with a small reveal, so the reveal is subtracted from each side. When two doors share one opening, the calculator removes the center gap once and splits the remaining width in half so both doors come out equal.
Common Overlay and Reveal Settings
These are the values most builders use for each style. Use them as a starting point and confirm against your hinge specification.
| Style | Per side | Door vs opening |
|---|---|---|
| Partial overlay | 1/2 in (0.5) overlay | 1 in larger each way |
| Full overlay | 1-1/4 in (1.25) overlay | 2-1/2 in larger each way |
| Inset | 1/16 to 1/8 in reveal | 1/8 to 1/4 in smaller each way |
| Frameless | 1/16 to 1/8 in reveal | 1/8 to 1/4 in smaller than box |
The table below shows finished door sizes for a 16 in wide by 30 in tall opening at common settings.
| Setup | Door width | Door height |
|---|---|---|
| Single, 1/2 in overlay | 17 in | 31 in |
| Double, 1/2 in overlay, 1/8 in gap | 8.4375 in | 31 in |
| Single inset, 1/8 in reveal | 15.75 in | 29.75 in |
Example Problems
Example 1. You have a single overlay door on a 16 in wide by 30 in tall opening with a 1/2 in overlay. The door width is 16 + 2 times 0.5 = 17 in. The door height is 30 + 2 times 0.5 = 31 in. The finished door is 17 in by 31 in.
Example 2. You have two overlay doors on a 30 in wide by 24 in tall opening with a 1/2 in overlay and a 1/8 in center gap. The door height is 24 + 2 times 0.5 = 25 in. The door width is (30 + 2 times 0.5 - 0.125) / 2 = (31 - 0.125) / 2 = 15.4375 in. Each door is 15.4375 in by 25 in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What overlay should I use? Most face frame cabinets use a 1/2 in partial overlay, which leaves part of the frame showing between doors. A 1-1/4 in full overlay covers almost all of the frame for a modern look. Your hinge has to match the overlay you choose, so check the hinge specification before cutting.
When do I need two doors instead of one? A single door wider than about 24 in tends to sag, hit nearby cabinets, and need a lot of clearance to swing. For openings wider than roughly 24 in, two doors are the common choice. Set the number of doors to double and the calculator removes the center gap and splits the width evenly.
How much reveal should an inset door have? Inset doors sit inside the opening, so they need a small gap to open and close cleanly and to allow for wood movement. A reveal of 1/16 in to 1/8 in per side is typical. Tighter reveals look cleaner but leave less room for seasonal swelling, especially with solid wood doors.
