Room Door Size Guide: Standard Measurements & Design Insights: Fast-Track Guide to Choosing the Perfect Room Door Size

Getting a door size right is a small decision with big consequences—clearance, accessibility, acoustics, and light control all hinge on it. In North America, a common interior swinging door is 80 inches high by 30–36 inches wide, but that baseline shifts with function, code, and user profile. Across workplace research, door sizing also intersects with behavior: Gensler's U.S. Workplace Survey has repeatedly linked frictionless circulation to perceived productivity, underscoring why pinch points at doorways matter for teams moving equipment, carts, or prototypes.

Accessibility is nonnegotiable. The WELL Building Standard calls for inclusive access strategies, and U.S. ADA-based guidance—widely mirrored in global best practice—requires a minimum 32-inch clear opening at 90 degrees for accessible doorways. Many residential projects now target 34–36-inch leaves to comfortably achieve that clear width with standard hinges. Steelcase research also notes that environments designed for mobility diversity can reduce daily friction and fatigue, which shows up as better focus and longer task endurance. For deeper reading on inclusive circulation, see WELL v2 guidance at wellcertified.com.

Core Standard Door Sizes

I plan most residential interior doors around a nominal 80-inch height. Here are practical benchmarks I use on site:

1. Bedrooms and general rooms: 30–32 in W x 80 in H (nominal). For broader accessibility and future-proofing, 34–36 in W is increasingly preferred.
2. Bathrooms: 28–32 in W x 80 in H; I push to 32–34 in where space permits to improve maneuvering and caregiver access.
3. Closets: 24–30 in W x 80 in H for single leaves; bifolds/sliders typically span 48–72 in openings.
4. Laundry/utility: 32–36 in W x 80 in H to clear appliances and venting hoses without scuffing jambs.
5. Interior tall doors: 84–96 in heights add visual generosity; confirm head clearances with ceilings, headers, and return air paths.

Metric rule of thumb (Europe/APAC): 2040 mm H x 726–826 mm W is common, with 926 mm W favored for inclusive design.

Clear Opening vs. Door Leaf: What Actually Matters

Designers and code officials care about the clear opening—the unobstructed width when the door is open at 90 degrees. A 36-inch door leaf rarely equals a 36-inch clear width; hinges, stops, and the latch side eat space. With standard butt hinges, plan on roughly 1.75–2.25 inches lost. Swing-clear (hospital) hinges recover critical inches for tight corridors or wheelchair access. When in doubt, mock the opening with painter’s tape and a cardboard “leaf” to validate clearance paths for strollers, walkers, and moving boxes.

Swing Direction, Egress, and Arc Geometry

Swing arcs shape circulation. In bedrooms and ensuites, I prefer doors opening into the room to keep hallways clean and safe. In tight baths, reverse the swing so it clears vanities and shower doors. For egress-rated paths, check local code on swing direction and latching. Maintain at least 12–18 inches of wall “strike-side” space beyond the latch for hand clearance—especially important for accessible use.

Pocket, Barn, and Sliding Doors: Where They Fit

Sliding systems conserve space but change performance. Pocket doors eliminate the swing arc, ideal for small baths and pantries, but they compromise acoustics and privacy unless you specify solid cores and sealing kits. Barn doors are visually strong and easy to install yet leak light and sound at the perimeter. Bypass closet sliders handle wide spans but limit full access to only one half of the opening at a time. For workflow-heavy areas (laundry, mudroom), I still favor a 32–36 in swing door for durability and tactile feedback.

Door Thickness, Core, and Acoustic Comfort

Most interior doors are 1-3/8 in thick. For better noise control, upgrade to solid core—especially between bedrooms and living spaces or next to home offices. Pair with perimeter seals and solid jambs. In hybrid work zones, a solid-core door with proper gasketing can materially cut cross-talk; Steelcase research highlights acoustics as a top factor in perceived productivity.

Height Choices and Visual Proportion

Taller leaves (84–96 in) elongate sightlines and can visually lift an 8–9 ft ceiling if trims and headers are aligned. Keep transoms consistent across a corridor to avoid a jagged rhythm. When doors meet built-ins, align rail heights and stile proportions to create a calm datum line—small changes that make rooms feel designed, not assembled.

Handle Heights, Reach Ranges, and Ergonomics

Standard lever/knob height sits around 34–38 inches above finished floor; 36 inches is a reliable sweet spot. Levers outperform knobs for universal design—better wrist neutrality and easier operation with reduced grip strength. For families, I often choose levers with soft returns to minimize snags on clothing.

Thresholds, Sill Details, and Floor Transitions

Keep thresholds flush wherever possible to reduce trip risk and ease rolling loads. If a transition is unavoidable (wet rooms, exterior patios), bevel edges and limit height changes. Align flooring direction under doors to reduce visual interruption.

Lighting, Glazing, and Privacy

Glazed interior doors borrow daylight into hallways and internal rooms. Frosted or reeded glass preserves privacy with 60–80% light transmission, depending on pattern. Be mindful of glare: position glazing and specify matte finishes to avoid specular highlights in work areas. In bedrooms, avoid direct sightlines from shared spaces through glazed panels.

Color Psychology and Finish Strategy

Door color cues behavior. Neutral, low-chroma finishes keep focus on the room, while a muted contrast (e.g., deep olive or graphite) can anchor entries without visual noise. Warm whites and desaturated woods often lower arousal levels, supporting calm transitions; Verywell Mind’s color psychology coverage notes softer hues generally reduce stress and mental load. In kids’ rooms or creative studios, a saturated accent on the interior side can energize and aid wayfinding without overwhelming shared spaces.

Hardware, Hinges, and Lifespan

Spec three hinges for 80–84 in solid-core leaves; four for 96 in or heavier. Use ball-bearing hinges for smoother action and longevity. Magnetic latches quieten operation in bedrooms. In humid climates, choose corrosion-resistant hardware and sealed door edges to prevent warping.

Planning Clearances and Layout Testing

Before framing, test furniture paths: 36 in doors ease moving 32–34 in depth items like dressers and fridges. Maintain a minimum 36 in corridor width outside door swings; 42 in feels generous where circulation is heavy. To quickly mock circulation and swing arcs during planning, a simple interior layout planner can help you simulate real furniture and door conflicts with accurate clearances—try a room layout tool.

room layout tool

Specifier’s Quick Reference

1. Standard interior: 80 in H x 30–36 in W
2. Accessible target: 34–36 in leaf to yield 32 in clear
3. Closets/pantries: 24–30 in single; 48–72 in sliders
4. Tall doors: 84–96 in H; verify hinge count
5. Thickness: 1-3/8 in typical; solid core for acoustics
6. Lever height: ~36 in AFF; levers for universal use

Common Pitfalls I See on Projects

1. Undersized bathroom doors that fail clear width for a future walker.
2. Doors swinging into tight fixtures—check vanity and shower door arcs together.
3. Pocket doors without blocking for hardware and future grab bars.
4. Mismatched head heights down a corridor, creating visual clutter.
5. Knobs installed too high or low; keep consistent at 36 in AFF.
6. Skipping solid core between sleeping and living zones, compromising rest.

FAQ

What is the most common interior door size?

In North America, 80 inches high by 30–36 inches wide is typical. I default to 32–36 inches for better accessibility and furniture movement.

How wide should a bathroom door be?

Plan 32 inches minimum where possible. For accessible layouts or future-proofing, 34–36 inches improves maneuvering and caregiver access.

What clear width does code generally require?

Most accessibility standards call for a 32-inch minimum clear opening at 90 degrees. A 36-inch leaf commonly achieves this with standard hinges.

Are pocket doors good for bathrooms?

They save space and solve swing conflicts, but they are weaker for acoustics and privacy. Use solid cores, soft-close hardware, and perimeter guides to improve performance.

Do taller doors make rooms feel bigger?

Yes. 84–96 inch doors elongate vertical lines and can visually raise an 8–9 ft ceiling when head heights align across the corridor.

What door thickness should I choose?

1-3/8 inch is standard for interiors. For noise control and a premium feel, specify solid-core construction, especially near bedrooms and offices.

Lever or knob for universal design?

Levers. They reduce wrist strain and are easier to use with limited grip strength or when hands are full.

How much wall space do I need beside a door?

Aim for 12–18 inches of strike-side wall for comfortable hand clearance and to avoid knuckle bumps, particularly important for accessible use.

What about barn doors for bedrooms?

They look great and install easily but leak more light and sound than hinged doors. Consider them for living areas, not primary bedrooms.

Can I retrofit a 30-inch door to meet accessibility?

Sometimes. Swing-clear hinges can gain up to ~1–1.5 inches of clear width. If that’s not enough, reframe to a 34–36 inch leaf.

How do I plan door swings with furniture?

Map swing arcs and major furniture footprints together. Keep a 36–42 inch corridor outside swings, and test layouts with a digital room layout tool before committing.

What handle height is standard?

Set handles around 36 inches above finished floor for consistency and ergonomic comfort.