Are you ready to give your entryway a makeover? The right front entry door can make a huge difference in the way your home looks and functions. Whether you’re interested in making a statement or prioritizing accessibility, determining the appropriate entry door size is the first step in your journey.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about the measurement of standard doors, custom sizing options, and the differences between available door types.
What is the standard size of a front door?
The standard size of a front door is generally 3 feet wide by 6 feet 8 inches tall. We also offer variations in between to fit your specific needs.
Our standard sizes include:
- Width of 3′ or 3′ 6″
- Height of 6′ 8″ or 8′
What are the standard sizes for double front doors?
We offer double door sizes in the following range:
- Widths from 4′ 2″ to 7′ 2″
- Heights from 6′ 10″ to 7′
Double front doors make a grand statement to your home. They also provide a wider opening which can be beneficial for easier accessibility.
If your home already has a wide entryway, then a double front door might be the ideal solution to help elevate your space.
When should you choose a custom-size front door?
Historic homes or homes with non-standard sized openings may need a custom-sized front door. Other reasons to consider a custom door would be if you’re interested in preserving the trim or avoiding reframing during the replacement process. These issues may impact the space you have available, and a standard-size door may not fit into your home.
Custom doors allow you to work with the existing structure and style of your home without compromising design and quality.
We offer the following custom sizes:
- Widths from 2′ 1″ to 3′ 7″
- Height of up to 10′
Custom-size front doors can help accommodate an existing opening or specific design needs.
How do you measure for a front door replacement?
Whether you’re looking to order a new front door or just get a more accurate quote when shopping, gathering precise measurements is an essential step. It’s not hard to measure front entry doors, but it might not be intuitive if you haven’t done it before. Not to worry, we’ll explain what you need to know.
Here are all the parts of a door you will need to measure:
- The frame: The outer structure that your door panel fits into and connects with the wall.
- The rough opening: The space in the wall where your door is installed.
- The jamb depth: The thickness of the wall without trim included.
- The panel: The part of your door that swings open (or operates). When you think of a door, the panel is likely what you imagine.
A typical exterior door slab is 1¾ inches thick. When replacing a door, measure the existing panel and check the product specifications, since thickness can vary. This measurement is different from jamb depth. Confirm both dimensions when choosing exterior doors.
Hint: It can be helpful to review the parts of a front door before measuring.
Why is it necessary to take all these measurements?
The answer is simple: Usually, the easiest way to replace a front entry door is to choose a new unit that fits the existing opening.
Before ordering, distinguish between the door slab (the moving panel), the pre-hung unit (the slab and frame), and the rough opening (the space in the wall framing where the unit is installed). Measure the slab if you’re replacing only the panel; measure the frame and rough opening when ordering a pre-hung door. These dimensions are different, so don’t use one as a substitute for another.
However, it’s also important to measure the following:
- Rough opening: Measuring this part of the door is useful because doors don't always fit their rough openings well. Understanding if the fit is too tight or too roomy gives you the opportunity to decide if you want to change your door size to better fit the space.
- Panel: Measuring the panel is a way to uncover two things: One, is your door a non-standard size? If so, you’ll want to match that size. Two, have you measured correctly? If your current door panel is different in size from the new panel, it may be a good idea to double check your measurements.
- Jamb depth: Measuring this space will tell you whether the wall where your door is installed is of a standard or non-standard depth. While there are three industry standard wall thicknesses, 4 9/16 inches, 5 9/16 inches, and 6 9/16 inches, your wall could fall outside of the standard for a variety of reasons. If your wall has a non-standard thickness, your door may require an extension jamb.
We offer non-standard size doors in addition to standard size doors, and you can specify the size down to 1/8 of an inch.
How to measure a single door
After gathering your supplies (tape measure, pencil, and paper), follow these five steps to accurately measure your single door:
Measure the panel’s width
From the top, center, and bottom. Write down all three measurements. If they vary, use the shortest dimension.
Measure the panel’s height
From the left, center, and right. Write down all three measurements. If they vary, use the shortest dimension.
Measure the jamb depth (frame depth)
To do this, open the door and measure the frame from the back of the exterior trim to the back of the interior trim.
Measure the frame
To do this, go outside and check if your door has brickmould (or exterior trim) overlapping with the door frame.
- If there’s no overlap, measure width from the outer edge of the frame on one side to the outer edge of the frame on the other side. Measure at the top, middle, and bottom of the door and use the smallest dimension. Next, measure the height from the top edge of the frame down to the bottom of the sill on the left, middle, and right. Use the smallest dimension.
- If your brickmould appears to overlap with the frame, you’ll need to take this measurement from the inside. This will require removing your interior trim (or casing) so you can see the frame. Once you remove the casing, take the same width and height measurements described above.
Measure the rough opening
The most accurate way to do this is by removing the casing surrounding your door. You would then measure the width between the studs (or sides of the rough opening). Again, we recommend taking three measurements from the top, center, and bottom of the opening and using the smallest dimension.
Then, measure from the header (beam at the top of the rough opening) down to sub-floor (floor beneath the door’s sill and finished floor). Again, take three measurements from the left, center, and right and use the smallest dimension.
If you’re ready to order a new door but don’t want to take on measuring yourself, it might be time to contact an Andersen Certified Contractor.
Measuring different types of front doors
While single front doors are the most common, they’re not the only type of front door. Still, whether you have a double door, a door with a sidelight (window next to it), or a door with a transom (window above it), you’ll want to measure the frame, rough opening, jamb depth, and panel.
Entry door sizes can vary depending on these features, so it’s crucial to get as accurate of a measurement as possible. Read on for more details about measuring these various types of front doors.
How to measure a front door with a sidelight, transom, or both
If your front entry door has a sidelight or transom, you should still follow the steps described above and take all measurements described. The door, sidelights, and transom together form the entry system that must fit within the overall rough opening, so taking these measurements will allow you to order the right size windows and door.
Use the rough opening measurements to choose an entry system that fits the space. Each sidelight adds to the overall width of the door assembly, while a transom adds height. For example, you could pair a standard-width door panel with sidelights sized to fit the remaining width and a transom sized to fit the remaining height.
How to measure a double door
Follow the instructions above for measuring your door frame, rough opening, jamb depth, and panel. Then work with your contractor, builder, or dealer to order the right size doors to fit the space.
What size front door do you need for your home?
To determine what size of front door you need for your home, measuring is the first step. This will tell you if you have a standard entry door size or if you need to order a custom size entry door. However, there are other factors to consider when thinking through size. Here are some tips for dealing with a few common scenarios:
Older home front door sizes
An older home built before modern building codes went into effect is more likely to have a non-standard door size. If that’s the case in your home, remember that our doors can be ordered in custom sizes to 1/8th of an inch.
New construction home front door sizes
A new construction home gives you the chance to choose your front door size from the start. Dream big with a double door, go old world with a Dutch door, or lean into glassy modern design with sidelights, transoms, or even a Pivot Door! The possibilities are endless!
Accessible front door sizes
Whether you need to modify an existing door or you’re planning a new construction forever home, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recommends that doors have a clear width of at least 32 inches when fully open to 90 degrees and a door height of 80 inches. We offer doors that meet the dimensional requirements.
Narrow entry front door sizes
A narrow entry, such as what might be found in an historic home and/or a rowhouse in a big city, might require a custom size front door. Remember, we offer sizing to 1/8th inch, and our entry doors can be as narrow as 25 inches for residential homes.
Architecturally scaled front door sizes
An architect or designer is best positioned to help you choose a door that will suit the scale of your home. If you're building a new construction home or taking on a major remodel, you’re likely already working with a pro who can advise.
If you’re replacing a door, you can use your existing door to pick a new front door that’s correctly scaled. If you feel that your existing door isn’t the right scale for your home, you could do some research to help you understand the proportions common to your home’s architectural style. Our Home Style Library is a great resource to get you started.
Door swing direction
The door swing direction, also known as the handing, is another important factor. You should consider the direction you want your front entry door to open. Our doors are able to inswing and outswing, meaning they can open both inward and outward. However, it’s important to make sure you have enough space for whichever direction you choose.
Can you change the size of a front door?
Yes, absolutely! Changing the size of your front entry door can provide additional functions and help increase accessibility while also giving your home a fresh new look.
Typically, front entry doors can be resized either smaller or larger, but the process requires a lot of detail and consideration. To resize a front door, contractors will build a new rough opening (the space where a door or window is installed) prior to installing your new door. Resizing the rough opening allows new front doors to be added to your home.
Resizing your front door is a big project, no matter if you’re planning to make it larger or smaller. Consulting with an experienced contractor is key, and you can find one near you through our Andersen Certified Contractor program. Our contractors are knowledgeable in front door sizes and resizing and will work closely with you during every step of the remodel.
One thing to remember: A permit will likely be required if you are changing the size and shape of your front door. A good contractor should be aware of local building codes.
How to make a front door bigger
Expanding the size of your front door requires removing the old door and door frame and opening up the walls — this is why you want the help of someone who’s experienced. A knowledgeable contractor will expand the rough opening by rebuilding the framing around the door and replacing the header (supporting beam above a door or window). Once the framing is complete, they’ll install the new door and then repair the walls. It’s a big job and will probably make the most sense in the context of a major remodel.
How to make a front door smaller
Shrinking the size of a door is also possible. An experienced contractor will follow a similar process to what’s described above, i.e., the old door and frame will be removed to extend the framing of the walls and create a new rough opening for the smaller door. Keep in mind that our doors can be ordered in custom sizes, so you might be able to give your home’s entrance an updated look without resizing the door. Another way you could decrease panel size to fill a larger existing rough opening is by adding a window in the form of a transom, above the door, or sidelight next to the door.
How do you read front door size codes and dimensions?
Building codes applying to front doors vary from place to place, so your local code authority is the best resource. However, good builders and contractors will be aware of local requirements, so if you're working with a pro, you might not need to dig too deep into this topic. Still, it can be useful to understand some of the most common requirements seen with these door-size designations, such as:
- 3068: This applies to the most standard door size of 3 feet 0 inches (36 inches) wide and 6 feet 8 inches (80 inches) tall.
- 2680: A door size of 2 feet 6 inches (30 inches) wide and 8 feet 0 inches (96 inches) tall.
These front entry door size codes are used to help pros avoid confusion and maintain consistency when working on a new construction or remodel project.
What's the difference between a slab door and a pre-hung door?
A slab door is the door panel alone, without a frame, hinges, or hardware. Its measurements describe only the panel. A pre-hung door includes the panel mounted in a frame with hinges attached, so its overall dimensions are larger than the slab’s. The rough opening is the space in the wall where the pre-hung unit is installed, and it must be sized to accommodate that unit. These three measurements are different and aren’t interchangeable when ordering a replacement door.
If your existing frame is in good condition and your entry door size hasn’t changed, you may only need a slab door replacement, but it’s best to have a contractor assess your door’s condition before making this decision.
If you’re planning a new home construction, or your frame needs to be replaced, then a pre-hung door is the more appropriate option. Our front entry doors are sold pre-hung, with the panel mounted in its frame, which eases the installation process.
Your checklist to choosing the right front door size
If you feel ready to upgrade your front entry doors, remember these steps to help make the process easier:
- Measure your door: Following the directions above, make sure to write down the measurements for your door panel, jamb depth, frame, and rough opening.
- Consider functional needs: This is your chance to elevate your entryway by changing your door size, the direction it swings, or adding more natural light.
- Consider aesthetic preferences: Here's your opportunity to reimagine your entryway and boost curb appeal such as installing a larger front door or double doors for a more dramatic look.
