How to Reference Door Hinges

The first step in mortising door hinges is marking the reference points for each hinge. A typical door has three hinges, but they are not all equally spaced on the door. There are two main reasons why this is the case. First, the hinges' appearance would seem off if they were equally spaced since your eyes are farther from the bottom hinge than the top hinge. It would seem the bottom hinge was much closer to the floor than it is. Second, having a hinge closer to the door's top edge gives the door strength as it opens and closes.

Tape measure

Instructions

- 1
  Turn the door on its edge with the hinge edge pointing up. Measure 5 inches down from the door's top edge and mark with a pencil. Measure 10 inches up from the door's bottom edge and mark with a pencil.
- 2
  Measure the distance between the two pencil marks and divide this number by two to find the center point. Place a pencil mark on the center point.
- 3
  Place the top hinge's top edge against the top pencil mark. Hold the hinge on the door so the knuckles are extending past the door's outer side. Use a pencil to trace around the hinge's plate.
- 4
  Center the center hinge over the middle pencil mark. Again, ensure that the knuckles point toward the door's outer side. Trace around the hinge leaf with a pencil.
- 5
  Put the bottom hinge's bottom edge against the bottom pencil mark. Ensure the knuckles are pointed toward the door's outer side and trace around the hinge leaf with a pencil.

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