Standard Door Sizes UK – An Internal & External Guide

Door Size Guide for UK Homes

What is the standard size of external front doors?

There actually isn’t a single standard door size in the UK, but homeowners and door manufacturers widely use a series of sizes. In England and Wales, the typical door width is 2’6” (30 inches or 762mm). However, in Scotland, doors are generally narrower, measuring about 28.5 inches (726mm).

How an installer defines a ‘standard’ door also varies between companies and is determined by their fitting method and product mix. From our standpoint, we would regard a ‘standard’ door as any door, as we insist on crafting bespoke door solutions for customers.

Why Awareness Of UK Standard Door Sizes is Helpful

Gaining insight into standard door sizes in the UK and the height of doors for UK homes is incredibly valuable to know when embarking on a project. Recognition of common door dimensions removes some of the difficulty involved in buying and will see that compliance with Part M accessibility guidelines and clear–opening widths is accomplished. Incidentally, before buying, we’d also advocate reading up on the best front door colours.

Some grasp of standard sizing also comes in useful for when you enter into conversation with an installer or designer, and will help them help you.

UK Door Size Conventions: Metric, Imperial & Their Equivalents

Standard internal door sizes in the UK still use metric and imperial naming systems. As an example – a door in an older building might be classed as “2 ft 6” by some installers, but the metric equivalent is 762 mm. Being aware of both is worthwhile if you decide to undertake a renovation or want to talk doors with a tradesperson.

Imperial sizes like 2’3”, 2’6” and 2’9” are very common in England and Wales, but Scotland tends to favour metric measurements, especially in newer residential buildings, where many specify 2040 mm tall doors.

We thought it useful to produce a table, in which we provide an overview of common standard door sizes, with the typical width and height in metric and imperial units:

Imperial Size
Metric Equivalent(mm)
Common Width(mm)
Common Height(mm)
Imperial Size 2'3" x 6'6"
Metric Equivalent (mm) 686 x 1981
Common Width (mm) 686
Common Height (mm) 1981
Imperial Size 2'4" x 6'6"
Metric Equivalent (mm) 711 x 1981
Common Width (mm) 711
Common Height (mm) 1981
Imperial Size 2'5" x 6'6"
Metric Equivalent (mm) 762 x 1981
Common Width (mm) 762
Common Height (mm) 1981
Imperial Size 2'6" x 6'6"
Metric Equivalent (mm) 838 x 1981
Common Width (mm) 838
Common Height (mm) 1981
Imperial Size -
Metric Equivalent (mm) 726 x 2040
Common Width (mm) 726
Common Height (mm) 2040(Common in Scotland)
Imperial Size -
Metric Equivalent (mm) 826 x 2040
Common Width (mm) 826
Common Height (mm) 2040

Standard Internal Door Sizes (Most UK Homes)

Standard interior door sizes in the UK heavily lean on their 1981 mm x 762 mm slab. Measuring “2’6” × 6’6” in imperial, the slab offers a middle ground of width and accessibility, making it a popular choice for English and Welsh dwellings.

The 2040 mm tall series needs mentioning too, fast growing in popularity here and extremely commonplace in Scottish new-builds, at properties crying out for loftiness and modern character. Their typical widths include 726 mm, 826 mm, and 926 mm.

For a quick comparison of sizes, refer to our chart. You’ll see that we pair up imperial and metric labels with where each size is most commonly used. This avoids having to do any guesswork when carrying out a door upgrade.

Imperial Size
Metric Equivalent(mm)
Region Commonly Found
Notes
Imperial Size 2'0" x 6'6"
Metric Equivalent (mm) 1981 x 610
Region Commonly Found England & Wales
Notes Slimmer door, often for cupboards
Imperial Size 2'3" x 6'6"
Metric Equivalent (mm) 1981 x 686
Region Commonly Found England & Wales
Notes Common in older homes
Imperial Size 2'6" x 6'6"
Metric Equivalent (mm) 1981 x 762
Region Commonly Found England & Wales
Notes Standard internal door size
Imperial Size 2'9" x 6'6"
Metric Equivalent (mm) 1981 x 838
Region Commonly Found England & Wales
Notes For wider access needs
Imperial Size -
Metric Equivalent (mm) 1981 x 864
Region Commonly Found England & Wales(Less Common)
Notes Occasionally used for accessibility
Imperial Size -
Metric Equivalent (mm) 1981 x 913
Region Commonly Found England & Wales(Rare)
Notes Very wide internal door
Imperial Size -
Metric Equivalent (mm) 2040 x 726
Region Commonly Found Scotland(New Builds)
Notes Standard Scottish spec
Imperial Size -
Metric Equivalent (mm) 2040 x 826
Region Commonly Found Scotland / modern builds
Notes More spacious feel
Imperial Size -
Metric Equivalent (mm) 2040 x 926
Region Commonly Found Scotland / accessible homes
Notes Often used for wheelchair access

Standard External Front & Back Door Sizes

Sizes are pretty consistent where standard front and back doors in the UK are concerned. The most common external door dimensions begin at 1981 mm in height, with a width in the region of 762 mm to 1020 mm. These sizes correspond to most traditional door openings and the best doors for security UK, reducing the complexity of finding a suitable replacement door.

There has been a slight change though recently, with 2010 mm x 900 mm becoming a frequently quoted size for standard external doors by installers and manufacturers overseeing work at contemporary homes. The taller and broader slabs have an ample design and better satisfy accessibility requirements.

For homes with an intense design focus, taller doors like 2040 mm and 2184 mm are greatly admired, creating an unmissable visual impact of significant scale.

Slab thickness can vary depending on the chosen door material. Timber doors mostly range from 44 mm to 56 mm, composite doors are more like 44 mm to 70 mm and UPVC doors are the slimmest of the lot. It’s more than just an aesthetic difference, also influencing insulation, security and hardware compatibility.

Discern what is the best fit with a look at our chart, in which we break down common external door sizes and materials for you.

Height(mm)
Width(mm)
Common Materials
Typical Thickness
Height (mm) 1981
Width (mm) 762 - 915
Common Materials Timber, Composite, uPVC
Typical Thickness 44 - 70mm
Height (mm) 2040
Width (mm) 826 - 926
Common Materials Timber, Composite
Typical Thickness 44 - 70mm
Height (mm) 2083
Width (mm) 864 - 915
Common Materials Timber, Composite
Typical Thickness 44 - 70mm

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Different Door Types Different Door Sizes

There are as many replacement doors in South Wales around as types of windows and in a series of sizes. Obviously, bi-folding doors are very differently sized to traditional front doors.

Door functionality differs between styles, with some all about opening a home to a garden and others squarely about protecting a house and keeping its inhabitants safe.

A bit of awareness of UK standard door sizes for each available door will reduce the possibility of installation problems, save you some time and help make your decision-making straightforward.

Pair / Double Doors

You can use the term paired doors and double doors interchangeably and they normally span from 915 mm (3 ft) up to around 1512 mm (just under 5 ft), with an average height of 1981 mm (6 ft 6 in).

They are often selected for large interior openings and lavish entrances, requiring two equal matching leaves to attain a consistent aesthetic.

French Doors

French doors are typified by their chic design and synonymous with practicality. An internal French door has a thickness of around 35-40mm, but external French doors tend to be slightly thicker at 44 mm.

Their size can be anywhere from 36 in (approx. 914 mm) to 60 in (approx. 1524 mm) in standard door width UK. Some of our customers like to have side panels to amplify the volume of natural light that reaches their interior.

Sliding & Bi-Fold Systems

The panel configuration of sliding and bi-folding doors will determine their overall size, as will how clear the opening happens to be.

A simple two-panel sliding door could roughly measure about 1800 mm wide, whereas a seven-panel bi-folding door stretches to around 6400 mm. It needs stressing that the aperture width is properly accounted for, taking into account any stacking space.

Garage Doors

The UK’s two most common garage door sizes are 1981 mm × 2134 mm (6 ft 6 in × 7 ft) and 2134 mm × 2134 mm (7 ft × 7 ft). They befit most single garages and get selected for a lot of sectional and up-and-over designs.

Building regulations need thinking about if you are intending to install a side garage door, as it will need to offer a fire exit or escape route if it’s the only alternative access point to the house.

Fire Doors

Sizing for fire doors is strictly regulated because of their safety aspect. Imperial fire door widths are typically 27 in, 30 in, and 32 in, with metric sizes obeying the 2040 mm height standard with widths of 626 mm, 726 mm, and 926 mm.

A fire door’s frame setup will also be impacted by fire ratings such as FD30 (30 minutes) and FD60 (60 minutes) and for compliance reasons, you require intumescent seals, the right frame clearances, and certified ironmongery.

A Step-By-Step Measuring Guide

Accurate measurements will ensure that things go without a hitch and help you identify a door that neatly fits into the available aperture. Here’s how to go about it.

When undertaking a door replacement, start off by measuring the opening’s width and height, preferably from brick to brick or render to render on the outside. Capturing the height needs you to measure from the top of the aperture to just under the cill. Measurements should be taken from three places (top, middle, bottom for width; left, centre and right for height) so you’re not left with any irregularities or a wonky frame. The smallest measurement is what should guide your order.

You can measure the actual door or the internal reveal if it’s a new opening or an old door has been taken out, but this may not give you a clear picture.

Total accuracy is key so that you don’t waste any time or money and don’t have to worry about making a return.

Hand over the job of doing all of that to First Class, who know exactly what to do to measure a home up for a new door.

Looking for a new replacement door?

From French and patio to bi-folding, we offer an incredible variety of doors including the latest front and back door designs, all of which are made to measure for the perfect fit to your home.

Explore your local Caerphilly Showroom

First Class Windows has honed its fitting service over the years, earning a reputation as one of the premier service providers in South Wales. We invite you to visit our Caerphilly showroom, where you can engage with our expert design teams and experience our exceptional products firsthand.

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