What is the Ideal Door Handle Height

Installing a new door in your home or office can be a daunting task for many reasons. It often requires two people to position the door, to ensure it’s installed square and plumb and may require more than the average home DIY’er tools.

Little thought is given to the most important part of the door - the door knob or handle! If there is no pre-drilled hole, what should be the height of the door handle?

There is no one, straightforward answer to this question, since it will vary depending on the type of door, placement in the home and personal preference.

Here is a guide to determine the best door handle height for you.

Standard Height for Door Handles

Before taking personal preference and special environmental conditions into account, it’s a good idea to know the standard height for door handles. 

First things first, the door handle standard height is always measured from the floor up. Since the height of doors can vary, this ensures consistency and practicality.

Be sure to account for the total height of the floor, particularly if the final flooring has not yet been laid. The finished flooring can often be .75” taller than the subflooring.

Door Locks, door knobs, latches and pulls should be AT LEAST 34 inches from the finished floor.

On the average sized person, this will be positioned at approximately their hip area, which is ergonomic and practical for frequent usage.

If an alternate look is desired, or if specific conditions are needed to be met, the door lock can be installed no higher than 48 inches above the finished floor. Anything higher will cause stress to the door and most definitely the users.

To be safe, most contractors will install door handles at a comfortable 36 inch height off of the finished floor.

What About Security Locks?

When installing security locks it is common to deviate from the norm and install the locks higher up on the door.

Example, installing a child proof lock on a door leading to a pool. To ensure a child will not accidentally open the door a door knob, lock or deadbolt can be installed as high as 54" off of the floor. This slight inconvenience will go a long way in ensuring everyone's safety and will surely be forgiven!