There’s a lot to think about when choosing doors for the interior of your home. With many types and sizes to choose from, it can feel overwhelming. Luckily, there is a standard interior door size that is typical in most home construction. If you’re not sure if you should stick to the standard size, or go against the grain, understanding the standard size can help. We’ve got you covered! Read on to learn about standard door height, width, and thickness.

What Is an Interior Door?

(Shop this image: one panel interior prehung door , rhombus porcelain patterned wall tile , and black center pull cabinet hardware.

Interior door refers to any door inside the house. This includes bedroom doors, bathroom doors, closet doors, and doors to utility areas. This guide will discuss standard interior door size for a standard hinged door. Standard door sizes may vary for other types of doors, such as barn doors, French doors, and pocket doors. Additionally there are two main types of hinged interior doors: prehung doors and slab doors. It’s important to know the difference before planning your project and before you measure for replacement doors.

Tip!

Wondering what type of interior doors is best for your home? Check out our Go-To Guide to Interior Door Types.

Why Are There Standard Door Sizes?

Standard interior door sizes help to streamline construction and ensure safety and compliance with building codes. Typical door measurements do vary depending on ceiling height, building type, room type, and needs of residents. While there is a standard interior door size, you can find several door sizes available to purchase. Furthermore, doors that are slightly bigger than your door opening can be shaved down for a perfect fit.

Tip!

Be sure to learn about your local building codes before purchasing or installing a new door in your home.

Standard Interior Door Size

(Shop this image: gray wood standard door slab, faux leather bar stools, and porcelain herringbone floor tile)

Standard Door Height

The standard door height in most American homes is 80 inches (6 feet, 7 inches). When choosing the right door height for your space, it is crucial to consider the height of your ceiling. The typical ceiling height in an American home is 8 feet tall, though with newer construction, it is becoming increasingly common to see 9- or 10-foot tall ceilings. Stick to the standard 80 inch door if you have a standard ceiling height of 8 feet, and choose a 8- or 9-foot door for a room with a ceiling height of 9 to 10 feet. Doors taller than 8 feet are considered oversized and may require special installation.

Tip!

Closet doors tend to be a bit shorter. The standard door height for a closet door is 78 inches.

Standard Door Width

The typical door width is between 24 and 36 inches. The most common interior door width is 30 inches. To be compliant with the American’s Disabilities Act, a door must be at least 36 inches wide. These 36-inch doors are ideal for households with residents with mobility issues or residents who plan to age at home.

Tip!

Doors in older homes tend to be smaller. We also suggest choosing a smaller door for a small room, as large doors in small rooms can look overwhelming. When choosing a door for a small space, consider going with a door that’s closer to the 24-inch width if it’s allowed by local building codes.

Standard Door Thickness

The standard door thickness is 1 ⅜ inches. Doors of this thickness typically have a hollow core or are filled with sawdust or foam. Thicker doors are typically made of solid wood or filled with insulating materials. If your door exceeds 36 inches wide or is over 90 inches tall, it should have a thickness of at least 1 ½ to 1 ¾ inches. Doors that are 1 ¾ inches thick are typically classified as fire doors, which are specifically designed to stop fire and smoke from spreading in the home.

Tip!

Learn more about door materials and what they’re best suited for. Check out our guide: Different Door Materials for Every Purpose.

When to Go Against the Standard

There are several reasons you may consider choosing an interior door that differs from the standard size.

• Room Type: You may choose a door that is narrower in width than the standard size if you are fitting a door for a closet or a utility access room.
• Room Size: As mentioned above, some older homes have smaller rooms and lower ceilings. Choosing a narrower hinge door can save some much-needed floor space. In this case, you may also want to consider these barn door ideas to save even more floor space. For newer constructions with high ceilings, you will likely want to go with a larger door to fit the space. Luckily there are options for oversized doors, and floor-to-ceiling doors are even becoming a trend in new construction.
• Resident Needs: Wider doors may be necessary if you require equipment like wheelchairs or other accessibility tools. Households with taller residents may want to consider oversized doors for comfort and convenience.
• Compliance: Certain municipal building codes may dictate the size of interior doors.

You May Also Like