Everything you need to know about doorway clearance for moving furniture. Standard sizes, how to measure, door removal techniques, and French door tips.
Door Guides
Everything you need to know about doorway clearance for moving furniture. Standard sizes, how to measure, door removal techniques, and French door tips.
Step-by-step measurement process for the actual usable space in your doorway.
How to remove hinge pins, unscrew hinges, or remove trim for 1.5 to 5 inches of extra clearance.
Measuring active vs inactive leaves, astragal removal, and sliding vs hinged patio doors.
Measure smart
Four numbers decide nearly every fit check. Get these right and the rest follows.
Don't make these
Most “it didn't fit” stories trace back to one of these oversights.
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Frequently asked
The nominal door size names the slab; the clear opening is the actual usable gap, roughly 2 inches narrower once you account for the frame and stops. Always measure the clear opening for fit checks.
01Popping the hinge pins removes the slab and typically frees 1.5–2 inches of width — often the difference between a fit and a no-fit. It takes a few minutes and a screwdriver.
02Interior doors are commonly 28–32 inches nominal, giving roughly 26–30 inches of clear opening. Exterior and entry doors run wider, and regional standards vary — so measure rather than assume.
03Yes — moving an item diagonally uses the door's diagonal, which is larger than its width or height alone. Lead with the narrowest corner and pivot through.
04Enter your item and space above — get a verdict in seconds, then test the what-ifs.
Open the fit calculator