Exterior door size guide
A quality exterior door is a long-term investment in a residential or commercial property, protecting it from adverse weather conditions, drafts, dust, and foreign sounds while also providing security and enhancing the building's appearance.
To ensure doors last, it is crucial to properly match the width and height of the slab (and transom and sidelites, if necessary) to the rough opening before purchasing and installing. Below, we will provide complete information about the dimensions of the front doors.
What are standard exterior door size?
Typically, exterior doors are manufactured with a height ranging from 80 to 96 inches (6.7 to 8 feet) and a width ranging from 30 to 42 inches (2.5 to 3.5 feet):
- Front doors: 36 to 42" wide and 80" tall.
- Patio doors: 60 to 72" wide and 80" tall.
- Double doors: 60 to 72" wide and 80" tall.
- Garage entry doors: 32 to 36" wide and 80" tall.
The standard door thickness is 1 7/8 or 2 1/16 inches.
Further in the article, we will analyze each type of exterior door. For a quick search for the necessary information, you can use the menu.
The chart summarizes the dimensions of exterior doors.
Nominal and actual door height
| Measurement | Value, inches | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 30 | Virtually unused or for double door systems |
| 32 | Mainly for double exterior doors | |
| 42 | For new modern houses | |
| 48 | For a Pivot configuration | |
| Height | 84 | For ancient houses |
| 96 | For new houses | |
| 108 | For modern luxury houses |
What are standard single front door sizes
Single front doors are available in various sizes, with the following being standard:
- Nominal height: 80, 82, and 96''.
- Nominal width: 36, 38, 48, 50, 52, 60, 62, 64, and 68''.
- Thickness: 1 7/8'' and 2 1/16''.
The most common slabs are 36 x 80 inches.
Nominal and actual door width
| Actual door width, inch | Nominal door width, feet | Nominal door width, inch |
|---|---|---|
| 81 11/16 | 6.7 | 80 |
| 95 11/16 | 7.2 | 86 |
Nominal and actual front door width
| Actual door width, inch | Nominal door width, feet | Nominal door width, inch |
|---|---|---|
| 37 7/16 | 3 | 36 |
| 49 1/4 | 4 | 48 |
| 51 1/4 | 4.2 | 50 |
| 53 1/4 | 4.3 | 52 |
| 61 1/16 | 5 | 60 |
| 65 1/16 | 5.2 | 62 |
| 69 | 5.7 | 68 |
Belldinni produces high-quality door models with the following mirrored or glazed (clear or frosted glass) decorative elements in black, anthracite, or white:
- A transom is a horizontal stationary section above the door.
- A sidelite is a narrow, vertical window that sits to the right, left, or both sides of the front door.
| Door size, inches | Door size, feet | Actual unit size, inches | Rough opening size, inches | Door type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 x 80 | 3 x 6.7 | 37 7/16 x 81 11/16 | 39 7/16 x 82 11/16 |  |
| 48 x 80 | 4 x 6.7 | 49 1/4 x 81 11/16 | 52 1/4 x 82 11/16 |   +12” |
| 50 x 80 | 4.2 x 6.7 | 51 1/4 x 81 11/16 | 53 1/4 x 82 11/16 |  +14” |
| 52 x 80 | 4.3 x 6.7 | 53 1/4 x 81 11/16 | 55 1/4 x 82 11/16 |  +16” |
| 60 x 80 | 5 x 6.7 | 61 1/16 x 81 11/16 | 63 1/16 x 82 11/16 |  +12” |
| 64 x 80 | 5.3 x 6.7 | 65 1/16 x 81 11/16 | 67 1/16 x 82 11/16 |  +14” |
| 68 x 80 | 5.7 x 6.7 | 69 x 81 11/16 | 71 x 82 11/16 |  +16” |
| 36 x 96 | 3 x 8 | 37 7/16 x 95 11/16 | 39 7/16 x 96 11/16 |   |
| 48 x 96 | 4 x 8 | 49 1/4 x 95 11/16 | 52 1/4 x 96 11/16 |  +12” |
| 50 x 96 | 4.2 x 8 | 51 1/4 x 95 11/16 | 53 1/4 x 96 11/16 |  +14” |
| 52 x 96 | 4.3 x 8 | 53 1/4 x 95 11/16 | 55 1/4 x 96 11/16 |  +16” |
| 60 x 96 | 5 x 8 | 61 1/16 x 95 11/16 | 63 1/16 x 96 11/16 |  +12” |
| 64 x 96 | 5.3 x 8 | 65 1/16 x 95 11/16 | 67 1/16 x 96 11/16 |  +14” |
| 68 x 96 | 5.7 x 8 | 69 x 95 11/16 | 71 x 96 11/16 |  +16” |
Belldinni sidelite sizes
| Sidelite type | Actual sidelite size, inches | Nominal sidelite size, inches | Nominal sidelite sizes, feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirrored | 11 13/16 | 12 | 1 |
| Clear | 13 13/16 | 14 | 1.2 |
| Frosted | 15 13/16 | 16 | 1.3 |
What are standard double front door sizes
Double exterior doors consist of two slabs that open from the center and are suitable for wide doorways.
They typically come in the following standard total widths (measured from edge to edge of both door slabs, not including the frame): 60 to 72 inches or 5 to 6 feet. The most common standard height for double front doors is 80 to 96'' (6.7 to 8'). The slab thickness is, in most cases, 1 7/8'' or 2 1/16''.
What are standard patio door sizes
Typically, sliding glazed doors (French collection) are installed for patios, offering a compact, ergonomic, and practical solution. They slide on a track along the wall, saving valuable space in the house and allowing in a considerable amount of natural light, which in turn helps reduce energy costs.
The most common patio slabs are 72 x 80 inches.
They typically come in the following standard total widths (measured from edge to edge of both door slabs, not including the frame): 60 to 72 inches or 5 to 6 feet. The most common standard height for double front doors is 80 to 96'' (6.7 to 8'). The slab thickness is, in most cases, 1 7/8'' or 2 1/16''.
What are standard garage-to-house front door sizes
The door connecting a garage to the house—often referred to as the garage entry door—must meet specific building code requirements for safety, particularly in terms of fire resistance and energy efficiency. These doors also feature standard sizing, making replacement and installation more straightforward. The width typically ranges from 32 to 36 inches, and the height is 80 inches.
FAQ
The most common standard size is 36 inches wide and 80 inches high.
The rough opening is the area in the wall where the door unit (including the door frame, slab, and hardware) will be installed, so its dimensions should be larger than the size of the door. For a detailed guide on determining measurements, see our article.
To correctly determine the size of the exterior door for the rough opening, it is essential to take several measurements of its height and width to avoid inaccuracies. For step-by-step instructions, see our article.