How to measure hole spacing accurately
For cabinet handles and mounting parts, hole spacing usually means the centre-to-centre distance between two holes. Estimating both centres with a ruler is unnecessarily inaccurate. With calipers, the distance can be derived from the hole edges much more reliably.
Method for equal-size holes
Measure the left edge of hole A to the left edge of hole B, or the corresponding right edges. For equal-diameter holes, that measurement directly equals centre-to-centre spacing.
Alternative method
Measure the total outside-to-outside distance and subtract one hole diameter. Example: outside distance 132 mm, hole diameter 4 mm. Centre spacing: 132 − 4 = 128 mm.
Measure more than once
On older furniture or hardware:
- verify both holes
- check actual hole diameter
- do not rely only on nominal catalogue dimensions