Door Handing Guide for Beginners [With Visuals & Chart]

Have you ever been confused about door handing? You're not alone! 

A confusing or mislabeled door isn’t just annoying – it’s a costly mistake.

For buyers, especially contractors and facility managers, wrong handing means wasted time, money, and client trust.

So getting it right is essential for selecting and installing the right doors for your space.

But, first… 

Handing on a door refers to the direction in which a door swings open or closes. It's determined by standing on the outside or exterior side of the door and observing which side the hinges are on and which side the handle or knob is on.

Door handing also establishes the mechanics of how hardware integrates with a door’s movement—a detail that impacts everything from fire safety to daily operations. 

Consider these scenarios:

• A hospital’s fire-rated exit door swings inward instead of outward, violating national fire safety codes such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 80 and delaying occupancy permits.

• A hotel’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant entrance uses left-hand reverse (LHR) doors, but the lockset is installed for right-hand (RH) doors, creating accessibility issues.

There are many implications of incorrect door handing:

• Compliance Failures: 

Fire-rated, ADA, and security doors have strict handing requirements.

• Security Risks: 

Misaligned locks or hinges create vulnerabilities.

• Budget Overruns: 

Reordering commercial hardware or doors inflates project costs.

• Timeline Delays:

Resolving errors can add 3–10 days to installations.

For contractors and facility managers, precision in door handing is not optional — it’s foundational. To avoid these pitfalls, let’s break down the different types of door handing and their applications.

 Let’s take a look at the different types of door handing and how they function:

LH doors feature hinges situated on the left side. When opened, the door swings inward to the left. As you pull the door open, it will swing towards the left wall, opening inward into the room.

This is one of the most common residential interior door handing configurations, providing convenient access into rooms. 

Here’s what an LH door looks like:

 LHR doors are often utilized for commercial entrances and high-traffic exterior access points. With hinges still positioned on the left, LHR doors swing outward to the left instead of inward. 

This allows people to conveniently push the door open to exit. You'll see such doors on office building entryways and retail establishments.

Here’s what an LHR door looks like:

RH doors have hinges on the right side, opposite from LH doors. Accordingly, they open inward to the right. 

This handing is common for closet doors or alternate rooms where the door knob's right placement is preferred.

Here’s what an RH door looks like:

RHR doors feature an exterior-facing swing, pushing open to the right with hinges still mounted along the right edge. 

Like LHR doors, these are typical for building entrances and high-traffic exits needing a push bar for convenient egress.

Here’s what an RHR door looks like:

Door handing is a critical consideration in construction, interior design, and compliance with building codes. Below is a comparison chart of the four primary door handings and their applications:

To determine door handing, let’s break down the process into simple, actionable steps:

Start by standing on the pull side of the door - this is the side where you'd naturally grab the handle to open it. 

Look for the hinges. Are they on your left or right? This is your first major clue in determining the door's handing. 

Open the door and observe which way it swings. Does it swing toward you (pull) or away from you (push)? 

This movement pattern is essential for proper hardware selection.

Here's where it clicks: If the hinges are on your right and the door swings toward you, you have a right-hand reverse (RHR) door. Hinges on the left with an inward swing? That's a left-hand reverse (LHR).

For interior doors between rooms, here's a foolproof method: 

Open the door, stand with your back against the hinges, and look at the door. 

Is it on your left? It's left-handed. 

On your right? Right-handed.

Different door configurations require specific approaches to determine proper handing.

Let's explore how handing applies to various door types you might encounter in your projects:

• For double doors, the active leaf (primary door) follows standard handing rules, while the inactive leaf mirrors it. For example, in a pair of doors where the right leaf opens first, you'd specify a right-hand active door.

• Dutch doors are split-level doors that maintain the same handing principles as standard doors.

• The direction these doors slide determines the handing for slide doors. Looking at the door from the pull side, does it slide left or right? That's your answer.

• When facing the door from the pull side, in which direction does the pocket door disappear into the wall? This determines whether it's a left-hand or right-hand operation.

• Bi-fold doors require attention to both panels' movement. These doors fold and stack to one side. The lead panel's direction of travel establishes the handing. Think about which side you want the panels to stack against.

Now that we've covered how to determine door handing, it’s time to understand why these factors matter. These points help ensure that every door works correctly and fits the required space.

When considering how to determine door handing, several key factors must be evaluated:

• The hinge side of the door is the primary determinant of whether your door handing will be left or right. A door with hinges on the right side opens to the left, making it left-handed. Hinges on the left mean it's right-handed.

• The direction a door opens when pushed or pulled also indicates handing.

• Will the door be located on the entry or exit side? This impacts both access and security. Entry doors tend to open inward. Exit doors usually swing outward to facilitate occupant egress.

• The door's position and swing direction affect how securely it closes. For example, outward-swinging doors with locks are harder to force open. And, inward-swinging doors don't reveal their lock side to the outside.

Understanding door handing is fundamental for selecting, installing, and maintaining doors in residential and commercial settings. 

Whether you're a homeowner embarking on a renovation project or a professional contractor working on a new build, knowing the basics of door handing ensures that your doors operate seamlessly and enhance the functionality and aesthetics of your space.

As a beginner lacking specialized product knowledge, it is highly advisable to consult door hardware professionals like those at DoorsForPros early in your project. 

Our team of experts can validate your door handing measurements, and recommend compatible commercial and residential hardware, providing guidance tailored to your building requirements. 

Check the hinge side of the door when facing it from the outside. If the hinges are on the left, it is a left-hand (LH) door. If the hinges are on the right, it is a right-hand (RH) door. You can also use a door handing diagram as a reference.

Inswing doors open inward, into a room or building. Outswing doors open outward, away from a room. 

Handing dictates the orientation of locks, handles, and other hardware. A left-handed door requires left-handed hardware, while a right-handed door uses right-handed hardware. Mismatched hardware will not function correctly.

It is best to determine proper door handing prior to installation. However, adjustments are possible by moving hinge locations and reversing hardware, which can incur additional costs.