Drawer pull hole spacing is measured center to center: from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other screw hole. Do not measure the full handle length. A 5-inch pull can have 3-inch, 96mm, 128mm or another screw spacing depending on the design.
Quick answer: remove one pull, measure from the center of the left screw hole to the center of the right screw hole, then buy a replacement with the same center-to-center spacing. If you are drilling new holes, mark the drawer centerline first and use a template or jig before drilling.
Replacement rule: if the cabinet already has two holes, match the existing center-to-center measurement. If the cabinet has no holes yet, choose the pull size first, then drill from a template. Do not choose by overall handle length alone.
Center-To-Center Calculator
Use this calculator to convert cabinet pull hole spacing between inches and millimeters, and to find the closest common pull spacing.
Common Drawer Pull Hole Spacing Chart
| Center-to-center spacing | Metric equivalent | Common label | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-1/2 inches | 64 mm | 2-1/2 inch pull | Small drawers, older hardware, compact furniture |
| 3 inches | 76 mm | 3 inch / 76mm pull | Very common replacement size |
| 3-3/4 inches | 96 mm | 96mm pull | Common kitchen and bathroom cabinet size |
| 5 inches | 128 mm | 128mm pull | Modern cabinet pulls, medium drawers |
| 6-1/4 inches | 160 mm | 160mm pull | Larger drawers and modern kitchens |
| 7-1/2 inches | 192 mm | 192mm pull | Wide drawers, pantry drawers, larger fronts |
| 10 inches | 256 mm | 256mm pull | Large drawers or long modern pulls |
How To Measure Existing Drawer Pull Holes
- Remove the old pull from the drawer.
- Measure from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other screw hole.
- Write the number in both inches and millimeters if possible.
- Compare the measurement with the chart above.
- Buy a replacement pull with the same center-to-center spacing.
Full Handle Length Is Not Hole Spacing
Product listings often show both overall length and center-to-center spacing. The center-to-center number is the one that determines whether the screws fit existing holes. Overall length affects how the pull looks and feels, but it does not tell you where the screws go.
If a listing says “5 inch pull, 3 inch centers,” it means the handle is about 5 inches long but the screw holes are 3 inches apart.
If You Are Drilling New Holes
For a new drawer front, choose the pull first, then drill for that exact spacing. Mark the drawer centerline, check the vertical placement, tape the surface to reduce tear-out, and use a hardware jig or template before drilling.
On wide drawers, you may decide between one long pull, two smaller pulls, or a different style. That is partly design preference, but the drilling still needs exact center-to-center spacing.
What To Buy After Measuring
After you know the spacing, search by center-to-center measurement first. Useful product categories include 3 inch pulls, 96mm cabinet pulls, 128mm drawer pulls, 160mm pulls, cabinet hardware installation templates and adjustable drilling jigs.
A template or jig is especially useful when drilling new holes. It is less important for simple replacement if the existing holes already line up with the new pull.
Common Mistakes
- Measuring edge to edge: center-to-center means hole center to hole center.
- Buying by total length: full handle length is not the screw spacing.
- Assuming 3 inches and 96mm are the same: 3 inches is about 76mm, not 96mm.
- Drilling before choosing hardware: choose the pull first, then drill.
- Skipping a template: a small drilling error can ruin a drawer front.
Related Guides
Useful next steps: How To Measure Drawer Slides, Shelf Pin Size Chart, Cabinet Hinge Overlay Chart, and Cabinet Hardware Measurement Tools.
FAQ
What does center-to-center mean on drawer pulls?
Center-to-center means the distance from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other screw hole. It is the key measurement for replacement pulls.
Is 3 inch cabinet hardware the same as 96mm?
No. Three inches is about 76mm. A 96mm pull is about 3-3/4 inches center to center.
Can I replace drawer pulls with a different hole spacing?
Only if you are willing to fill or cover the old holes and drill new ones. For the cleanest replacement, match the existing center-to-center spacing.
What is the most common cabinet pull spacing?
Common sizes include 3 inches, 96mm and 128mm. The right replacement size is the spacing already drilled in your drawer or door.
Do I need a cabinet hardware template?
For new holes, a template or jig is strongly recommended. For replacement pulls, you may not need one if the new pull matches the existing holes exactly.
Bottom Line
Measure drawer pull spacing from screw-hole center to screw-hole center. Match that number when replacing hardware. If you are drilling new holes, choose the pull first, mark carefully and use a template before drilling.