How to Hang an Internal Door Step by Step

A practical guide to hanging an internal door in a UK home: measuring, trimming, marking hinges, fitting the latch and getting a consistent gap all round.

Hanging a door looks like carpentry showing off, but it is mostly measuring carefully and removing material in small amounts. A well-hung door closes with a gentle click, sits flush with the frame and has an even gap all round. A badly hung one rubs, sticks or will not latch. This guide covers a standard internal door in a typical UK frame.

Before you start

You will need:

The new door, ideally left to acclimatise in the room for a couple of days
A tape measure, pencil and square
A sharp plane or a planer, a handsaw or circular saw and sandpaper
A chisel and mallet, or a router with a hinge jig
Hinges (usually two or three), latch and handle set
A drill, countersink and screwdriver
Wedges or packers

Check whether it is a fire door, which has special requirements and should not be altered without knowing the rules. See how to fix a sticking door if you are repairing rather than replacing.

Step 1: Measure the opening

Measure the width and height of the frame at several points, since frames are rarely perfectly square. Standard internal door sizes are common, but older homes often have non-standard openings. Allow a gap of about 2 to 3 mm at the sides and top, and a larger gap, around 8 to 10 mm, at the bottom to allow for flooring and airflow.

Step 2: Size the door

Mark the trim lines on the door, leaving the allowances above. Trim from both sides if you need to remove a lot, to keep the door balanced. Always trim from the ends of a door that has "horns", the projecting parts of the frame at the top and bottom, which should be cut off first. Use a plane for fine adjustments and finish with sandpaper. Take off small amounts and test fit regularly.

If you cut across the grain, score the line with a knife first to prevent splintering, and plane in the direction that avoids tearing out.

Step 3: Mark and cut hinge recesses

Place the door in the opening on wedges, with even gaps.
Mark the hinge positions on the door and frame. A common arrangement is about 150 mm from the top and 225 mm from the bottom, with a third in the middle for heavy doors.
Remove the door and mark the hinge outline on the edge of the door and on the frame.
Cut the recesses to the depth of the hinge leaf using a chisel or a router, so the hinge sits flush.
Fix hinges to the door first, then to the frame.

Step 4: Hang the door

Lift the door into place with a helper if possible, and engage the hinge pins or fix the leaves to the frame. Close the door slowly and watch the gaps. Adjust by:

Packing hinges with thin card to move the door away from the frame
Deepening recesses slightly to pull the door towards the frame
Re-planing edges where it rubs

Step 5: Fit the latch and handles

Mark the position of the latch on the door edge, typically around 900 mm to 1000 mm from the floor, matching other doors in the house.
Drill the holes for the latch and spindle, using a hole saw and a spade bit.
Chisel the recess for the latch plate and screw it in.
Fit handles and check the latch engages the keep.
Mark and chisel the keep recess on the frame.

If you are replacing a lock, see how to replace a door lock cylinder. For fitting new handles, see how to replace door handles.

Step 6: Seal and finish

Prime or paint all six sides of the door, including the top and bottom edges, to prevent moisture entering and the door swelling. Allow it to dry before closing it firmly.

Common mistakes

Cutting too much off in one go
Not allowing for flooring or carpet at the bottom
Cutting recesses too deep, so the door binds or hinges sag
Using screws that are too short
Forgetting to seal bare edges
Ignoring that the frame is out of square

When to bring in a professional

Hanging a door is a classic handyman job, but a joiner is a better fit when the frame is damaged, the door is oversized or the opening needs altering. Fire doors and doors in flats or HMOs may have specific legal requirements, so ask for a competent person. For general pricing, see how much a handyman costs in the UK.

Booking help

You can send a request on Compito with your postcode, the door size and a photo of the frame. Compare offers from ID-verified local providers, ask questions by message, accept and pay online, and leave a review afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to hang a door?

A competent handyman typically takes one to two hours for a standard internal door, depending on the condition of the frame and any trimming needed.

Can I hang a door myself?

Yes, if you are patient and have the right tools. Small mistakes are easy to make, so work slowly.

What gap should there be around the door?

Roughly 2 to 3 mm at the sides and top, and more at the bottom to clear the floor covering.

Find handyman providers near you

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