Door Handing Guide: Left-Hand vs. Right-Hand Doors

Door handing identifies which side of a door contains the hinges and the direction the door swings. Choosing the correct handing is important when ordering handed door levers, handlesets, mortise locks, exit devices, and other door hardware.

The quickest way to determine handing is to stand on the outside or key side of the door, face the door, and look at the hinge location. You must also determine whether the door swings toward you or away from you.

How to Determine Door Handing

Step 1: Stand on the outside of the door.
The outside is usually the side from which you would enter with a key. For a bedroom or bathroom, stand in the hallway. For an exterior entrance, stand outside the building.

Step 2: Face the closed door and locate the hinges.
Do not determine handing by the location of the knob or lever. Handing is based on the hinge side and the direction of the door swing.

Step 3: Determine whether the door opens toward you or away from you.
A door opening away from you uses standard handing. A door opening toward you uses reverse handing for products that require all four handing designations.

Standard Door Handing

Left-Hand Door

When standing on the outside or key side, the hinges are on the left and the door opens away from you. This may be abbreviated as LH.

Right-Hand Door

When standing on the outside or key side, the hinges are on the right and the door opens away from you. This may be abbreviated as RH.

Reverse Door Handing

Reverse handing is commonly used for doors that swing toward the outside or key side. It is especially important when ordering mortise locks, commercial locksets, exit devices, and certain handlesets or lever trims.

Left-Hand Reverse Door

When standing on the outside or key side, the hinges are on the left and the door opens toward you. This may be abbreviated as LHR.

Right-Hand Reverse Door

When standing on the outside or key side, the hinges are on the right and the door opens toward you. This may be abbreviated as RHR.

Door-Handing Quick Reference

Hinges on the left and door opens away from you: Left Hand

Hinges on the right and door opens away from you: Right Hand

Hinges on the left and door opens toward you: Left Hand Reverse

Hinges on the right and door opens toward you: Right Hand Reverse

Inswing vs. Outswing Doors

An inswing door opens into the room or building. An outswing door opens toward the exterior or toward the person standing on the outside. Inswing and outswing describe the direction of movement, while handing also identifies the hinge side.

For many residential products, you may only be asked to choose left hand or right hand. Commercial and specialty hardware may require the complete LH, RH, LHR, or RHR designation.

When Does Door Handing Matter?

Handing may be required for lever designs that do not look or operate correctly when reversed. It is also frequently required for mortise locks, interconnected locks, handlesets, multipoint trim, exit devices, commercial locksets, and some electrified hardware.

Many door knobs, deadbolts, and residential levers are reversible or non-handed. However, do not assume a product is reversible. Check the individual product specifications before ordering.

Common Door-Handing Mistakes

Standing on the Wrong Side

Use the outside or key side as your reference point. For a room without a keyed lock, this is generally the hallway or entrance side.

Using the Handle Location

The position of the knob or lever does not identify the handing by itself. Look at the hinges first, then determine the swing direction.

Ignoring Reverse Handing

Left hand and right hand may not provide enough information for an outswing door or commercial opening. Some products require left-hand reverse or right-hand reverse.

Assuming All Hardware Is Reversible

A lever may physically fit the door but appear upside down, interfere with the frame, or operate incorrectly if the wrong handing is ordered.

Before Ordering Handed Door Hardware

Confirm the hinge side, swing direction, door thickness, backset, bore-hole preparation, lock function, and any manufacturer-specific handing requirements. Hardware terminology can vary by product type and manufacturer, so the specifications for the individual item should take priority.

For help with another important door measurement, read our guide explaining how to measure door backset. You can also review related terms in our Hardware Glossary or visit the Hardware Learning Center.