Commercial door hardware, shipped direct across the United States sales@latchfordhardware.com

Door handing chart

The hand of a commercial door is always read from the outside. Four diagrams, and the rule in one sentence.

The rule

Stand on the outside

The hand of a commercial door is always determined from the OUTSIDE, which is the keyed or secure side. Face the door from outside: the side the hinges are on is the hand, and whether the door swings away from you or toward you decides whether it is reverse.

INSIDEOUTSIDE LHhinges left, swings in
INSIDEOUTSIDE LHRhinges left, swings out
INSIDEOUTSIDE RHhinges right, swings in
INSIDEOUTSIDE RHRhinges right, swings out

In words

The same thing without the diagrams

LHLeft handStanding outside, hinges are on your left and the door swings away from you. Common on interior office and classroom doors.
LHRLeft hand reverseHinges on your left and the door swings toward you. Most exterior doors and almost every door with an exit device are reverse hand, because egress doors swing out.
RHRight handHinges on your right and the door swings away from you.
RHRRight hand reverseHinges on your right and the door swings toward you.

Why it matters

Handing is not always reversible in the field

Many modern levers and closers are field reversible and some are non-handed entirely. Plenty are not: mortise locks, most exit device trims, and anything keyed or with a cylinder are frequently handed at the factory and cannot be swapped after delivery.

This is why handing is confirmed with you in writing before we order a handed item, and why a handed item that has been ordered to your written confirmation is not returnable. One question up front is cheaper than one wrong door.

Send a photo and we will work it out