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determining the door swing and handing for a door lock

Determining Door Swing and Handing

Door handing and door swing can be determined in four steps.

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How many locks are required and what is the orientation of the handle? Are your doors right- or left- (or a combination) handing? Door handing and door swing can be determined in four steps. Door handing or door swing terminology may differ depending on supplier or region. If you have any questions as to the handing or swing of your door, please contact us.

  1. Stand Outside The Door
    • For help in determining which side is the outside of the door, look at the door in question.
    • If you are standing at the door to your home, office or hotel room, and are going inside, you are on the OUTSIDE of that door.
    • If you are in a hallway, looking at your bedroom door, office door, hotel door, you are on the OUTSIDE of that door.
    • If you are standing in a bedroom, hotel room with a bathroom attached, you are standing on the OUTSIDE of the bathroom door.
    • If you are in your garage and going in to your home, you are on the OUTSIDE of that door.
  2. Determine If The Door Is Left Handed Or Right Handed
    • Method 1: Handing for door sets is determined by standing on the outside facing the door. If the hinges are on the left hand side, you need a left-handed door set. If the hinges are on the right hand side, you need a right-handed door set.
    • Method 2: With the door open, stand with your back against the hinge jamb. If your left hand is nearer the doorknob, then the door is LEFT-HANDED. If your right hand is nearer the doorknob, then the door is RIGHT-HANDED.
  3. Determine If The Door Is In-Swing Or Out-Swing
    • To identify the correct door lock assembly, you need to know both the desired handing (from step two) and whether it is in-swing or out-swing.
    • In-Swing Doors: If the hinges are on the left hand side, your door is Left-Handed. If the hinges are on the right hand side, your door is Right-Handed.
    • Out-Swing Doors: If the hinges are on the left hand side, your door is Left Hand Reverse. If the hinges are on the right hand side, your door is Right Hand Reverse.
  4. Using Steps 1, 2, And 3; Determine The Number Of Each Type Of Door You Have

    Use the reference table and diagrams below to match your door's configuration:

    Abbreviation Standard Terminology Swing Direction
    LH Standard Left Hand Door Left Hand In-Swing
    RH Standard Right Hand Door Right Hand In-Swing
    LHR Standard Left Hand Reverse Left Hand Out-Swing
    RHR Standard Right Hand Reverse Right Hand Out-Swing

Handing Reference Diagrams

Diagram of an industry standard Left Hand door.
LH - The graphic above depicts an industry standard Left Hand. The configuration is also known as Left Hand In Swing.
Diagram of an industry standard Right Hand In door.
RH - The graphic above depicts an industry standard Right Hand. The configuration is also known as Right Hand In Swing.
Diagram of an industry standard Left Hand Reverse door.
LHR - The graphic above depicts an industry standard Left Hand Reverse. The configuration is also known as Left Hand Out Swing.
Diagram of an industry standard Right Hand Reverse door.
RHR - The graphic above depicts an industry standard Right Hand Reverse. The configuration is also known as Right Hand Out Swing.