THE ONLY TAPE I USE
STANLEY FATMAX Tape Measure (30-Foot)
The FATMAX is the tape I reach for on door layout. Nothing else has ever felt as right in my hand.
View on AmazonDOOR HANDING TRAINER
Read the swing.
Practice commercial door handing from clean plan-view openings at your own pace, then switch to Arcade Mode for a 60-second run where one wrong answer ends the run.
READY
What is the door handing?
Problem —
Use the marked reference side. Read the hinge side first, then decide whether the swing is straight or reverse.
CHOOSE THE HAND
GEAR FROM THE FIELD
Door gear I actually use.
The same tools I reach for when the handing lesson turns into setting the frame.
Affiliate disclosure: BidSimp may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through the Amazon links below, at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
THE ONLY TAPE I USE
HEADER LEVEL
DEWALT DWHT43224 Box Beam Level (24 Inch)
I love this for leveling door headers. Strong magnets, durable body, and it can take some hits.
View on Amazon
MY FAVORITE LASER
DEWALT 3 × 360 Green Line Laser
My favorite all-around laser. I use it to level the legs when setting hollow metal doors.
View on AmazonTraining aid: This trainer uses a common U.S. commercial door-handing convention and explicitly marks the reference side for each problem. Door and hardware conventions can vary by project, manufacturer, and specification. Always verify the project door schedule, hardware set, drawings, and supplier requirements before ordering. Terms & Disclaimer
DOOR HANDING PRACTICE GUIDE
Determine the hand from the marked reference side, not from the page.
Training Mode and Arcade Mode rotate the point of view between the top and bottom of the plan. That matters because screen-left and screen-right can reverse when the reference side moves. The dependable method is always the same: stand on the marked reference side, identify the hinge side, and then decide whether the leaf swings away or toward you.
STEP 1Stand on the reference side
Use the side marked VIEW FROM HERE. Do not assume the bottom of the screen is always the correct viewpoint.
STEP 2Hinges determine left or right
Hinges on your left produce LH or LHR. Hinges on your right produce RH or RHR.
STEP 3Swing determines reverse
A leaf swinging away is straight hand. A leaf swinging toward the reference side adds the R for reverse.
The four basic single-door handings
- LH - Left Hand
- Hinges are on your left and the door swings away from the reference side.
- RH - Right Hand
- Hinges are on your right and the door swings away from the reference side.
- LHR - Left Hand Reverse
- Hinges are on your left and the door swings toward the reference side.
- RHR - Right Hand Reverse
- Hinges are on your right and the door swings toward the reference side.
Hand first, reverse second. Reading the hinge side before the swing reduces the four choices to two and prevents the plan orientation from becoming a guessing game.
WORKED EXAMPLE
Hinges left, leaf swings toward you
- Move mentally to the marked reference side.
- The hinges are on your left, so the hand begins with LH.
- The leaf swings toward the reference side, so it is reverse.
- The complete handing is LHR.
If the same hinge condition swung away, the answer would be LH.
Common mistakes
- Reading left and right from the screen instead of the marked viewpoint.
- Looking at the swing before identifying the hinge side.
- Assuming a door drawn above the wall uses the same viewpoint as one drawn below it.
- Confusing handing with room name, lock side, or corridor side.
Verify on real projects
- Door schedule, hardware sets, and frame details.
- Manufacturer and supplier handing terminology.
- Active and inactive leaves on pairs.
- Egress, access control, existing conditions, and approved field changes.
Help make the trainer better.If a plan symbol feels unclear or a door appears to be handed incorrectly, tell us which problem you saw.