Cabinet Handle Hole Centres Explained: How to Measure Before You Replace

 

Short answer: hole centres are the distance from the centre of one fixing hole to the centre of the other. Measure that, not the overall length of the handle. The common standards are 96mm, 128mm and 160mm, with 76mm on cup handles and 192mm on longer pulls. Match the hole centres and a replacement handle drops straight into your existing holes with no drilling.

The mistake to avoid is measuring the handle end to end. A 160mm handle is not a 160mm hole centre handle. Our 160mm centre bar handles are between 189mm and 220mm long depending on the style, so end to end tells you nothing useful.

How to measure hole centres

Two ways, depending on whether the handle is still on the door.

With the handle removed: measure between the centres of the two holes in the door face. That is the figure you want.

With the handle still on: measure between the centres of the two posts on the back of the handle where the screws go in. Same distance.

If the handle is fitted and you cannot see the posts, measure the overall length then look at the table below to work out which centre size a handle of that length is likely to be. Better still, take one off.

Standard hole centres

Cabinet handle hole centres are broadly standardised across the industry, which is why swapping handles is usually straightforward. 96mm, 128mm and 160mm are the sizes you meet most often. Cup handles sit at 76mm. Longer pulls run to 192mm and beyond.

What we stock, by hole centre

Eurofit cabinet handles by hole centre
Hole centres	Style	Overall length	Height	Bar diameter
76mm	Cup handle	92mm	32mm	28.5mm depth
96mm	Steel bow	151mm	28mm	—
96mm	Steel T-bar	156mm	32mm	12mm
128mm	Steel bow	147mm, 148mm, 151mm	30mm	9mm, 10mm
128mm	Steel T-bar	168mm, 188mm	32mm	12mm
128mm	Knurled T-bar	182mm	32mm	12mm
128mm	Pull handle	136.5mm, 157mm	28mm, 28.5mm	8.5mm, 16mm
160mm	Steel bow	189mm, 190mm, 204mm	21mm, 31mm, 32mm	9mm, 10mm, 15mm
160mm	Steel T-bar	220mm	32mm	12mm
160mm	Knurled T-bar	215mm	32mm	12mm
160mm	Slim pull	189mm	25.5mm	7.5mm
160mm	Pull handle	179mm	25mm	19mm
192mm	Pull handle	200.5mm	28.5mm	8.8mm
595mm	Steel T-bar	655mm	32mm	12mm

Look at the 160mm row for steel bow handles. Three handles, all the same hole centres, with lengths of 189mm, 190mm and 204mm and heights from 21mm to 32mm. That is exactly why hole centres matter more than any other dimension: all three fit the same holes while looking noticeably different.

The other dimensions worth checking

• Height is how far the handle stands off the door face. It determines how much room your fingers get. Ours run from 21mm to 32mm on bar handles.
• Overall length matters visually rather than functionally. On a narrow drawer it also decides whether the handle physically fits.
• Bar diameter changes the feel in the hand. A 7.5mm slim bar reads very differently from a 19mm one, even at the same hole centres.

Knobs are the exception

A knob has a single fixing, so there are no hole centres to match. What you measure instead is diameter and height. Ours come in 18mm, 30mm, 34mm and 37mm diameters, with heights of 25mm or 30mm.

Frequently asked questions

What are cabinet handle hole centres?

The distance from the centre of one fixing hole to the centre of the other. It is the measurement that decides whether a replacement handle fits your existing holes.

What are the standard cabinet handle sizes?

96mm, 128mm and 160mm are the most common hole centres. Cup handles are usually 76mm. Longer pull handles go to 192mm and above.

How do I measure hole centres without taking the handle off?

Measure between the centres of the two screw posts on the back of the handle. If you cannot reach them, taking one handle off is quicker than guessing.

Can I fit a handle with different hole centres?

Only by drilling new holes, which leaves the old ones visible on the door face. Matching the hole centres is almost always the better answer.

Is handle length the same as hole centres?

No and this is the most common mix-up. Our 160mm centre handles range from 179mm to 220mm long depending on the style.

Do knobs have hole centres?

No. A knob has one fixing screw, so you match diameter and height instead. Ours run 18mm to 37mm in diameter.

Browse the range

All cabinet handles, bow handles, T-bar handles, cup handles and door knobs.

The 96mm, 128mm and 160mm hole centre convention is used across the industry. The individual handle dimensions on this page are Eurofit figures from our 2026 catalogue, so check the product page for the handle you are buying.