Measuring for Cabinet Overlay: Partial, Full Overlay, and Inset

When embarking on the task of measuring your kitchen for new cabinet doors, you'll need to familiarize yourself with three prevalent cabinet overlay styles: partial overlay, full overlay, and inset.

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Partial Overlay Cabinet Measurement

Partial overlay cabinets are designed with doors and drawer fronts that partially conceal the cabinet's face frame, leaving a portion of the frame visible. The degree of overlay can vary, though the industry standard typically stands at ½ inch. This style is commonly found in traditional kitchens.

Measuring Single Door Partial Overlay Cabinets

The industry standard partial overlay is ½,” meaning ½” of your cabinet doors cover the face frame of the cabinet box. But, partial can vary, just plug any number you want your overlay to be in the formula below. This formula is generally used for cabinets that have an opening that is less than 24".

	Opening width + overlay for both sides = width of cabinet door

	Opening height + overlay for both sides = height of cabinet door

Let’s do an example!

For this example let's say that your cabinet box opening dimensions are 16"Wx29"H and you decided you wanted a 1/2" overlay. Here is how that plugs into the above formulas:

	16 + 1/2 + 1/2 = 17"W

	29 + 1/2 +1/2 = 30"H

This means your cabinet door will actually be 17"Wx30"H.

Measuring for Split Door Partial Overlay Formula:

The following formula is used for cabinets that have an opening greater than 24"W which is called the Split Door Formula, and it looks like this:

	(Opening width + overlay for both sides) / 2 - .0625 = width of both doors

	Opening height + overlay for both sides = door height

Let’s do an example!

If your opening is 28"W x 34"H and you want a 1/2" overlay this is what it would look like in the above formula

	(28 +1) / 2 -.0625 = 14.4375"

	34 + 1= 35"

This means your doors will be 14.4375"W x 35"H for both doors.

Full Overlay Cabinet Measurement

Full overlay cabinets are designed so that doors and drawer fronts entirely cover the face frame of the cabinet, leaving no portion of the frame exposed. This style imparts a modern, seamless appearance, ideal for minimalist designs and slab cabinet doors.

Measuring For Single Door Full Overlay Formula:

This formula is generally used for cabinets that have an opening that is less than 24".

	Width of cabinet -.25 = width of door

	Height of cabinet - - .25 = height of door

Let’s do an example!

For this example let's say you have a cabinet that is 20"Wx36"H and let's say your toe kick is 4" and you need a full overlay.

	20 - .25 = 19.75"W

	36 - 4 - .25 =31.75"H

So your cabinet door would end up being 19.75"W x 31.75"H.

Measuring For Split Door Full Overlay Formula:

The following formula is used for cabinets that have an opening greater than 24"W which is called the Split Door Formula, and it looks like this:

	(Width of cabinet -.25) / 2 - .0625 = width of both doors

	Height of cabinet -.25 = height of doors

Let’s do an example!

Now let's say you have a cabinet box that has the dimensions 36"W x 46"H so the way that will plug into our formula is as follows. Let's assume the toe kick is 4 " tall (which is standard on our base cabinet boxes) so our usable height for the door is 42"H.

	(36 -.25 )/ 2 - .0625 = width of door

	35.75 / 2 - .0625 = width of door

	17.875 - .0625= width of door

	=17.8125" Wide

	The height would be 42-.25 = 41.75"H.

So this means the full dimensions of both doors are 17.8125"W x 41.75"H.

Keep in mind that this allows for an 1/8" on both sides and is our standard calculation for full overlay split doors.

Inset Cabinet Doors

Inset cabinets present doors and drawer fronts that sit within the cabinet's face frame, creating a flush and sleek look. This design is commonly employed in frameless cabinets.

Measuring For a Single Inset Door Formula:

You will subtract the reveal from the height and the width of the cabinet box opening. Allow for ⅛” clearance around each side of the cabinet. To do this, subtract an ⅛” from all sides. This is ¼” from the height and width of the door.

	Opening width - .25 = width of cabinet doors

	Opening height - .25 = height of cabinet doors

Let’s do an example!

Let’s say your cabinet box opening is 10”W x 10”H.

	10 - .25= 9.75 width

	10 - .25 = 9.75 height

So your cabinet door dimensions are 9.75”W x 9.75”H.

Measuring For Split Inset Cabinet Doors Formula:

First you, add you overlay to both sides of the opening, then you subtract the reveal which is

The following formula is used for cabinets that have an opening greater than 24"W which is called the Split Door Formula, and it looks like this:

	(Opening width - .25) / 2 -.0625 = width of both cabinet doors

Now the height is calculated exactly as it was for the single door cabinet which is:

	Opening height -.25 = height of both cabinet doors

Let’s do an example!

Let’s say your cabinet box opening is 36”W x 16”H.

	(36 - .25)/2 - .0625 = 17.8125 cabinet door width

	16 - .25 = 15.75 cabinet door height

So, both of your cabinet doors will be 17.8125”W x 15.75”H.

Remember the Rule: Measure Twice, Order Once!

Our motto is measure twice, order once! To avoid costly mistakes, as always if you need help please consult with a professional cabinet designer or contact us for any quick questions in your math process. Each design choice is unique and ultimately depends on personal preference and the style of the kitchen or bathroom where the cabinets will be installed.