Replacing cabinet knobs and pulls is one of the cheapest upgrades you can make in a kitchen or bathroom. It is also one of the easiest to get wrong: order the wrong size and you are left with gaps in the door because the new screws do not line up with the old holes.
The measurement that decides whether a pull fits is called center-to-center (C2C). This guide explains what it is, how to measure it on your existing cabinets and which standard sizes cover most homes in the US.
What center-to-center (C2C) means
Center-to-center is the distance between the centers of the two screw holes on a pull, measured along the length of the handle. It is not the total length of the pull. A pull listed as “5 inch” is usually 5 inches C2C, but the overall bar can be 6 to 7 inches long once the ends are included.
If you are replacing like for like, the C2C of the new pull must match the C2C of the old one. The overall length can change without a problem; the hole spacing cannot.
How to measure a pull in two minutes
- Open the cabinet door or drawer and look at the back of the pull. You will see two screw posts.
- Place the hook of a tape measure on the center of one screw post.
- Measure to the center of the other screw post. That number is your C2C.
- Write it down in both inches and millimeters. Most hardware is designed in millimeters, and the conversion avoids rounding mistakes.
- Repeat on a drawer front, not only on a door. Drawer pulls and door pulls are often different sizes in the same kitchen.
No tape measure? Measure from the outside: distance between the two screw heads minus half the diameter of each screw head gives you a close C2C. A ruler with millimeter marks is more accurate than a phone app.
Standard pull sizes you will see
| C2C in inches | C2C in millimeters | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 3 in | 76 mm | Standard kitchen drawers, small cabinets |
| 3.5 in | 89 mm | Older US cabinets, mixed remodels |
| 3.86 in | 96 mm | Modern European-style cabinets, most common today |
| 5 in | 128 mm | Wide drawers, pantry doors |
| 6.25 in | 160 mm | Appliance panels, large drawers |
If your measurement falls between two standard sizes, the old holes probably no longer match the new hardware. In that case you have two options: drill new holes in the door (fill the old ones first) or use a pull with an adjustable or wider mounting base that covers the old spacing.
Knobs are simpler: one hole
Cabinet knobs use a single screw, so there is no C2C to measure. Two things to check instead:
1. Screw length vs. door thickness
Most knobs ship with 1-inch (25 mm) screws for 0.75-inch doors. If your door is thicker, the screw bottoms out before the knob is tight. Trimming the screw with pliers or adding a washer solves it; our cabinet hardware collection lists the screw sizes included in each set.
2. Backplate hole spacing
If you want to keep a decorative backplate, measure the distance between the holes on the plate as well. Knob backplates are usually single-hole, but pull backplates are not.
Will the new screws fit the old holes?
Standard cabinet hardware uses 8-32 screws, the same thread as most US cabinets. The holes themselves do not need to be the same diameter; the screw just needs to pass through the cabinet door and bite into the knob or pull post. If a hole feels loose, a drop of wood glue and a toothpick tightens it; if it is too small, drill it out to 3/16 inch.
Quick checklist before ordering
- C2C measured on a drawer front and a door.
- Number of knobs and pulls counted per cabinet, plus one spare of each.
- Screw length checked against door thickness.
- Finish sample: matte black, brushed nickel and brass photograph differently, so compare a photo of your cabinets under your own lighting.
Bulk packs make the job cheaper: a 30-pack of 3.86 in cabinet pulls covers a full kitchen, and a 25-pack of knobs handles every door in one order. Both include mounting screws.
Ready to order? Browse the Cabinet & Door Hardware collection and use code WELCOME10 on your first order. Free shipping from US warehouses and 30-day returns.