Standard Door Sizes & Types: Complete Reference Guide
Knowing your door size before moving day is the single most effective way to prevent a stuck-furniture disaster. Door dimensions vary by type, age of the home, and country — and the difference between frame width and clear opening is where most people get caught off guard. This guide covers every standard size you will encounter.
Check if your furniture fits through the door before moving day.
Standard US Interior Door Sizes
| Door Type | Standard Width | Standard Height | Clear Opening Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closet / pantry | 24 inches | 80 inches | 22 - 22.5 inches |
| Bathroom | 28 inches | 80 inches | 26 - 26.5 inches |
| Bedroom | 30 - 32 inches | 80 inches | 28 - 30.5 inches |
| Main interior passage | 32 - 36 inches | 80 inches | 30 - 34.5 inches |
| ADA-compliant interior | 36 inches minimum | 80 inches | 34 - 34.5 inches |
Standard US Exterior Door Sizes
| Door Type | Standard Width | Standard Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single front entry | 36 inches | 80 inches | Most common residential entry door |
| Single entry (taller) | 36 inches | 84 or 96 inches | Common in newer homes and custom builds |
| Double front entry | 60 - 72 inches (two leaves) | 80 - 96 inches | Both leaves must open for full width |
| Sliding patio | 60 - 72 inches frame / 30 - 36 inch opening | 80 inches | Only one panel slides — opening is half the frame |
| French patio | 60 - 72 inches | 80 inches | Both doors open for full clear width |
| Garage service door | 32 - 36 inches | 80 inches | Side door — not the overhead garage door |
Regional Variations — US, UK, EU, Australia
| Region | Standard Interior Width | Standard Interior Height | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 30 - 36 inches (762 - 914 mm) | 80 inches (2032 mm) | Imperial measurements; 80" is nearly universal |
| United Kingdom | 762 mm (30") standard | 1981 mm (78") | Slightly shorter than US; metric sizing |
| European Union | 800 - 900 mm (31.5 - 35.4") | 2000 - 2100 mm (78.7 - 82.7") | Metric standard; wider range of sizes |
| Australia | 820 mm (32.3") standard | 2040 mm (80.3") | AS 1428.1 accessibility standard applies |
Frame Width vs Door Slab vs Clear Opening
These three measurements are different and people confuse them constantly. The frame width (also called the rough opening) is the structural hole in the wall — typically 2 inches wider and 2.5 inches taller than the door slab. The door slab is the actual door panel you buy at the store. The clear opening is the usable space when the door is fully open — this is what matters for moving furniture. Clear opening is always smaller than the door slab width because the hinges, stop molding, and weatherstripping eat into the available space. On a standard 36-inch entry door, the clear opening is typically 34 to 34.5 inches.
How Hinges Reduce Your Clear Opening
- Standard butt hinges project 0.75 - 1 inch into the door opening when the door is at 90 degrees.
- The hinge-side door stop adds another 0.5 - 0.75 inches of obstruction.
- Total hinge-side reduction: 1.5 - 2 inches from the nominal door width.
- Removing the door eliminates hinge intrusion entirely and can recover 1.5 - 2 inches of clear width.
- Continuous (piano) hinges on commercial doors may project up to 1.25 inches.
Door Heights to Know About
- Standard US interior and exterior: 80 inches (6 feet 8 inches).
- Tall / custom entry doors: 84 inches (7 feet) or 96 inches (8 feet).
- Older homes (pre-1950): can be as short as 78 inches (6 feet 6 inches).
- Commercial / ADA: minimum 80 inches clear height required.
- Basement doors: often 78 - 80 inches with lower ceilings.
- Clear height is frame height minus threshold — typically 0.5 to 1.5 inches less than the frame opening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common door size in the US?
The most common US interior door is 80 inches tall by 32 inches wide (for bedrooms) or 30 inches wide (for bathrooms). The most common exterior entry door is 80 inches tall by 36 inches wide. These sizes account for approximately 70% of residential doors installed in the US.
What is the difference between door width and clear opening?
Door width (or slab width) is the size of the door panel itself. Clear opening is the usable space when the door is fully open — always 1.5 to 2 inches narrower than the slab because hinges and stop molding project into the opening. For a 36-inch door, expect a clear opening of 34 to 34.5 inches.
Are UK and US door sizes the same?
No. A standard UK interior door is 762 mm wide by 1981 mm tall (30" × 78"), while a standard US interior door is 813–914 mm wide by 2032 mm tall (32–36" × 80"). UK doors are typically about 2 inches shorter and may be narrower, which matters for furniture deliveries.
What door size do I need for wheelchair access?
The ADA requires a minimum 32-inch clear opening for wheelchair access, which typically means a 36-inch door slab. The 32-inch minimum is measured with the door open to 90 degrees. Many newer homes use 36-inch doors throughout for universal accessibility.
Standards Referenced
- IRC R311.2Egress door minimum clear width (32 in.) View source
- ADA 404Accessible doorways — maneuvering clearance and opening force View source
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