Types of Door Hinges and Standard Sizes in Australia
There are many types of door hinge, but most Australian homes only need one: a 100 x 75mm ball bearing butt hinge. Below are the main types, the standard sizes, how many hinges you need, and when a toilet door needs lift-off hinges.
The short answer
- Most doorsA ball bearing butt hinge, for bedroom, bathroom, laundry, hallway and entry doors.
- Standard size100 x 75mm, for 35mm internal doors and 40mm entry doors.
- Replacing?Measure your old hinge first. Many pre-hung doors use smaller 89mm hinges.
- Thickness2.5mm is the common standard. 3mm is thicker and stiffer.
- How manyTwo for a light hollow-core door. Three for solid-core and entry doors.
- Special casesLift-off hinges on some toilet doors. Hirline (fast fix) hinges on frames that can't be cut.
Types of door hinges
Butt hinge
The standard two-leaf door hinge. One leaf is recessed into the edge of the door and the other into the frame, so the hinge sits flush when the door is closed. Most doors in Australian homes hang on butt hinges.
Ball bearing butt hinge
A butt hinge with bearings in the barrel, the round part the pin runs through. The bearings carry the door's weight, so the door swings smoothly, and they can help reduce squeaking and wear. This is the hinge most homes need.
Hirline (fast fix) hinge
One leaf fits inside the other when the door closes, so no recess is needed in the door or frame. Hirline hinges are commonly used on metal doors and steel frames that can't be cut, and they are quick to fit. Some suppliers describe them as suited to lighter doors.
Lift-off hinge
A two-part hinge that lets the door be lifted off without undoing any screws. Mostly used on toilet doors to meet building rules (see below). Lift-off hinges are handed, left or right.
Loose pin and fixed pin hinges
On a loose pin hinge, the pin can be tapped out to take the door off. A fixed pin hinge can only be removed by unscrewing it. Hardware makers such as Lockwood recommend fixed pin hinges on external doors and doors that open outwards, so the pin can't be taken out from outside. Our butt hinges are fixed pin.
Electric (power transfer) hinge
Carries wires through the hinge, from the frame into the door, for electric locks and access control. The cable stays hidden instead of crossing the gap. We plan to add electric hinges to our range soon.
Other types
- Concealed hinges are recessed into the door edge and frame, so they can't be seen when the door is closed.
- Pivot hinges fit at the top and bottom of the door, so it turns on a point rather than on side hinges.
- Parliament hinges stick out further from the door so it can swing clear of the architrave. Mostly used on French doors.
- Spring hinges close the door by themselves.
Which hinge for a bedroom or internal door?
A 100 x 75mm ball bearing butt hinge. It suits bedroom, bathroom, laundry and hallway doors, whether hollow-core or solid. Fit two on a light hollow-core door and three on a solid one.
If you are replacing hinges, match the existing recesses rather than starting again. Some pre-hung doors are fitted with smaller hinges, around 89mm tall with rounded corners. A larger hinge won't fit that recess without some chisel work.
Standard door hinge size in Australia
The usual size for a house door is 100 x 75mm. The first number is the height of the hinge. The second is the width across both leaves when the hinge is opened flat. If you are replacing hinges, measure an old one this way and note whether its corners are square or rounded.
- 35 to 40mm doors100 x 75mm. This covers standard internal doors (35mm) and most entry doors (40mm).
- Thicker doorsWider hinges, such as 100 x 100mm, are used on doors from about 44mm thick.
2.5mm or 3mm thick?
- 2.5mmThe common standard. Fine for hollow-core and most solid-core internal doors.
- 3mmA thicker, stiffer leaf. Often chosen for heavy solid doors, entry doors and doors that get constant use.
If you swap a 2.5mm hinge for a 3mm one, check that the leaves still sit flush. The recess may need to be deepened slightly.
How many hinges does a door need?
It depends mostly on how heavy the door is. As a guide, Corinthian lists a 2040 x 820mm honeycomb-core internal door at around 14kg, and a solid-core one at around 40kg.
- Hollow-core2 hinges on a standard 2040mm door. Taller 2340mm doors need 3.
- Solid-core and entry3 hinges, for doors up to 2040 x 820mm.
- Larger solid or entry doors4 hinges.
Door makers such as Hume and Corinthian give similar advice in their installation instructions. If your door's maker gives a number, follow it.
Where do the hinges go?
Positions vary a little between makers. Most put the top edge of the top hinge about 125 to 200mm down from the top of the door, and the bottom edge of the bottom hinge about 200 to 300mm up from the bottom. A third hinge goes centred between them. Follow your door maker's instructions if they give positions, and when replacing hinges, keep the existing ones.
How to tell what hinge you have
- Ball bearingThe barrel has bearing rings in it, usually two or four, and looks thicker than on a plain hinge.
- Loose pinMany loose pin hinges have a hole in the bottom cap so the pin can be tapped out. If there's no hole, the pin may be fixed.
- Lift-offThe hinge separates into two parts when the door is lifted.
- Hirline (fast fix)Neither leaf is recessed. One leaf sits inside the other when the door is closed.
Solid brass or stainless steel?
Both suit internal doors. Choose the finish that matches the door handles in the same room, then check which material that finish comes in.
- Solid brassMatches solid brass door handles. Our solid brass hinges come in a range of brass, nickel, chrome and darker finishes.
- Stainless steelComes in black, grey and nickel finishes. Our stainless hinges are 304 grade.
For an external door near the coast, 316 stainless steel is often recommended, as it copes with salt air better than 304.
Lift-off hinges and toilet doors: the Australian rule
The National Construction Code (Part 10.4.2 for houses, with an equivalent rule for other buildings) covers fully enclosed toilet compartments. Unless there is at least 1.2m of clear space between the toilet pan and the doorway, measured as shown in the Code's Figure 10.4.2, the door must open outwards, slide, or be readily removable from the outside. This is so someone who collapses inside can still be reached. If the door opens inwards, lift-off hinges are one way to make it removable from outside.
If your build or renovation is approved under a CDC or DA, check the approved door details with your builder or certifier. The rule applies to rooms with a toilet. A bathroom with only a shower, bath and basin is not covered.
- Which way they goStand on the side where the door swings towards you. If the hinges are on your left, you need left-hand hinges. Every hinge on the door must be the same hand.
- InstallingLeave enough clearance between the top of the door and the head of the frame for the door to lift off the pins. Once the door is hung, check it can be lifted off from outside.
- Internal doorsA door that lifts off easily isn't suited to an external door.
If your plans don't call for lift-off hinges, ball bearing butt hinges suit most household doors.
Our door hinges
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A heavier-duty 3mm hinge for most doors.
Solid brass · 100 x 75 x 3mm · sold single
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Stainless steel in black and grey, or solid brass in brushed brass.
100 x 75 x 2.5mm · sold as a pair
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No recess needed. Suits doors 40mm and thicker.
Solid brass · 100 x 80 x 3mm · 2 hinges
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No recess needed. Black, grey or nickel.
Stainless steel · 100 x 75 x 2.5mm
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For toilet doors where a certifier asks for lift-off hinges.
100 x 75 x 2.5mm · left or right hand · sold single
Browse the full range in our door hinges collection, and match them to our door handles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard door hinge size in Australia?
100 x 75mm is the usual size for house doors. It suits standard 35mm internal doors and 40mm entry doors.
What size hinges for a 35mm door?
100 x 75mm butt hinges. Two on a hollow-core door, three on a solid-core door.
How many hinges should an internal door have?
Two for a light hollow-core door, three for a solid-core or taller door. Large solid or entry doors often need four. Check the door maker's instructions.
What is the 7-11 hinge rule?
It is an American rule of thumb: the top edge of the top hinge 7 inches (about 180mm) down from the top of the door, and the bottom edge of the bottom hinge 11 inches (about 280mm) up from the bottom. Australian makers use their own positions, but most fall in a similar range.
Are ball bearing hinges worth it?
For most doors, yes. They cost more than plain hinges. The bearings are greased, so wipe off any grease that works out onto the hinge over time.
Do bathroom doors need lift-off hinges?
Under the NCC, usually only if it is a fully enclosed room with a toilet, the door opens inwards, and there is less than 1.2m of clear space between the pan and the doorway. Lift-off hinges are one way to comply. An outward-opening or sliding door is another. Your certifier will confirm it for your plans.
Are hinges sold singly or in pairs?
It varies by product, so check the pack size and what's included on each product page before you order.
