September 09, 2026
Olivia Carter
Sliding Door Pull Handle Placement Guide: Height, Size & Clearance
Learn how to perfectly position your sliding or barn door...
Center-to-center spacing is one of the most important measurements when buying or replacing a door pull handle. It tells you exactly how far apart the mounting holes need to be and can determine whether a new handle will fit existing holes without additional drilling. This guide explains how to measure C/C spacing correctly for wood, metal, aluminum and glass doors.
In this guide
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Quick answer
Center-to-center spacing, or C/C, is the distance from the exact center of one mounting hole to the exact center of the other mounting hole. If your door already has holes, measure from center to center rather than from the outer edges. The new pull should match that C/C distance if you want to reuse the existing holes.
What Does Center-to-Center Mean on a Door Handle?
Center-to-center spacing is commonly shortened to C/C.
It describes the distance between the centers of the two fixing points used to mount a pull handle. For example, if the center of the upper mounting hole is exactly 12 inches from the center of the lower hole, the handle has a 12-inch C/C measurement.
This measurement is especially important when:
- Replacing an existing door pull
- Ordering a custom handle
- Installing hardware on pre-drilled glass
- Matching handles across double doors
- Using the same hole pattern on several doors
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Important
Overall handle length and center-to-center spacing are not the same measurement. Always check both before ordering.
Overall Length vs Center-to-Center Spacing
The easiest way to understand C/C spacing is to compare it with overall handle length.
Overall length is the full end-to-end size of the handle.
Center-to-center spacing measures only the distance between the mounting points.
For example, Wood Ceylon's 15-inch teak front door pull handle has a 15-inch overall length but a 10-inch C/C mounting distance.
Another design, the 20-inch Slim Classic Teak Door Pull , has an 18-inch center-to-center distance.
| Measurement | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Length | Full end-to-end handle length | Controls visual scale and grip length |
| Center-to-Center | Distance between mounting-hole centers | Determines whether the handle matches existing holes |
| Projection | Distance from door face to grip | Determines hand clearance |
| Door Thickness | Total thickness of the door panel | Helps determine suitable mounting hardware |
If you are still deciding what overall pull length suits your door, read our Door Pull Handle Size Guide .
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How to Measure Center-to-Center Spacing
You only need a tape measure or ruler, but accuracy matters.
1
Identify both mounting points
Locate the two fixing holes or bracket centers where the handle attaches to the door. If an old handle is installed, remove it first if the hole centers are difficult to see.
2
Find the center of the first hole
Do not measure from the upper edge, lower edge or outside edge of the hole. Start from the middle of the fixing point.
3
Measure to the center of the second hole
Keep the tape or ruler straight and measure directly from one hole center to the other.
4
Record the unit
Write the measurement clearly in inches or millimeters. If ordering custom hardware, include the unit so there is no ambiguity.
5
Measure again
Repeat the measurement before ordering or drilling. A small error can prevent a replacement pull from lining up with existing holes.
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Workshop tip
When measuring existing holes, take the reading twice. For custom orders, sending both the center-to-center distance and a photo of the door can help reduce mistakes.
How Do You Measure Existing Door Handle Holes?
If your goal is to replace an old pull without drilling new holes, the existing C/C measurement should normally determine the mounting pattern of the replacement handle.
Start by removing the old pull and exposing both fixing holes.
Record these measurements
Center-to-center spacing
___ in / mm
Hole diameter
___ in / mm
Door thickness
___ in / mm
Distance from door edge
___ in / mm
Door material
Wood / Glass / Metal
The most important number for the pull itself is normally the C/C spacing, but door thickness and material help determine the correct fixing method.
If you are replacing older door hardware rather than only measuring a pull, see our How to Replace a Door Handle guide .
Can You Measure C/C Without Removing the Old Handle?
Sometimes, yes.
If the mounting brackets or screw centers are visible, you may be able to measure directly from the center of the upper fixing to the center of the lower fixing.
However, removing the old pull usually gives a more reliable measurement because the actual holes become visible.
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For replacement handles
If you are not certain where the true fixing centers are, remove the existing handle before ordering. Measuring decorative caps or bracket edges can give the wrong C/C distance.
How Do You Measure an Uneven or Large Mounting Hole?
Some older doors have enlarged holes, worn edges or decorative mounting plates that make the exact center harder to identify.
One simple method is to measure from the same edge of both holes.
For example, if both holes have the same diameter, measuring from the top edge of the upper hole to the top edge of the lower hole gives the same center-to-center distance.
The key is to use the same reference point on both holes.
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How to Measure Center-to-Center Spacing on a Glass Door
Accurate measurement is particularly important on glass doors because existing hole positions cannot be moved in the same way they can on a wooden door.
For an existing glass door, record:
- Center-to-center hole spacing
- Glass thickness
- Hole diameter
- Distance from the holes to the glass edge
- Whether you need a handle on one side or both sides
For tempered glass, drilling generally needs to be completed before the tempering process. This makes accurate hole positioning especially important when ordering a new door.
If the glass is already installed and drilled, choose a pull that matches the existing C/C distance rather than trying to alter the glass afterward.
For more detail, read our Back-to-Back Door Handles for Glass Doors guide .
Does C/C Spacing Change for Back-to-Back Door Handles?
No. In a back-to-back configuration, the two pulls normally align with the same pair of mounting holes.
One handle sits on each side of the door and the fixing hardware passes through the door to connect or secure the two sides.
| Handle Setup | C/C Measurement | What Changes? |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Sided | Measure between two fixing points | Only one visible pull |
| Back-to-Back | Same C/C on both sides | Two pulls share aligned holes |
| Wall-Mount | Depends on mounting brackets | Fixing method changes to suit wall or panel |
7 Common Center-to-Center Measuring Mistakes
Common mistakes
- Measuring overall handle length instead of C/C
- Measuring from hole edge to hole edge
- Measuring decorative bracket caps
- Using a bent or angled tape measure
- Forgetting to record inches vs millimeters
- Assuming two similar-looking handles share the same C/C
- Ordering before checking door thickness and material
Better approach
- Expose the actual mounting holes
- Measure center to center
- Keep the ruler straight
- Record the measurement clearly
- Measure twice
- Confirm door thickness
- Send photos for unusual installations
Real Center-to-Center Examples
Door pull sizes do not follow one universal C/C standard, which is why checking each product specification is important.
Here are several examples from the current Wood Ceylon collection:
| Door Pull | Overall Length | C/C Spacing |
|---|---|---|
| Front Door Pull 022 | 15" | 10" |
| Sliding Door Pull 006 | 16" | 12" |
| Minimalist Pull 016 | 18" | 12" |
| Slim Classic Pull 027 | 20" | 18" |
| Entry Door Pull 010 | 20.5" | 15" |
| Ladder Pull 011 | 24" | 16.5" |
| Oversized Pull 013 | 31" | 24" |
These examples show why a buyer should never estimate C/C spacing from overall length alone.
Browse the Wood Ceylon wooden door handle collection to compare current handle sizes and mounting distances.
Can Wood Ceylon Make a Custom C/C Measurement?
Yes. Custom center-to-center spacing is available for many Wood Ceylon handmade door pulls.
This is useful when:
- Your door already has non-standard mounting holes
- You are replacing an older or discontinued handle
- You need matching hardware across several doors
- Your glass door has fixed hole positions
- You want a custom overall handle length with a specific C/C distance
Send these details for a custom order
Center-to-center spacing
___ in / mm
Desired overall length
___ in / mm
Door thickness
___ in / mm
Door material
Wood / Glass / Metal
Handle configuration
Single / Back-to-Back
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Need a custom fit?
If your existing holes do not match a standard Wood Ceylon size, send us your C/C measurement, door material and door thickness. We can confirm whether a custom pull can be made for your installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does C/C mean on a door pull handle?
C/C means center-to-center. It is the distance from the center of one mounting hole to the center of the other.
How do I measure center-to-center door handle spacing?
Measure in a straight line from the exact center of the first mounting hole to the exact center of the second. Record the measurement in inches or millimeters and measure it twice before ordering.
Is center-to-center the same as overall handle length?
No. Overall length is the full end-to-end size of the pull. Center-to-center spacing measures only the distance between its mounting points.
Can I reuse existing holes for a new door pull?
Usually yes, provided the new handle has matching center-to-center spacing and suitable mounting hardware for your door material and thickness.
How do I measure C/C if the old handle is still installed?
If the fixing centers are clearly visible, measure directly between them. If they are hidden by decorative caps or brackets, remove the handle first for a more accurate measurement.
Is there a standard center-to-center size for door pull handles?
No single C/C measurement fits every door pull. Different designs use different mounting distances, so always check the product specification or measure your existing holes before ordering.
Do back-to-back handles use the same C/C holes?
Yes. A back-to-back set normally uses the same aligned pair of holes, with one handle mounted on each side of the door.
Can I order a custom center-to-center distance?
Yes. Wood Ceylon offers custom C/C distances for many handmade door pulls. Send your existing hole spacing, door thickness, door material and preferred handle length before ordering.
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