What is a backset on a lock UK?

Asked by: Raymond Rutenbeck

‘Backset’ is the distance from the front of the lock to the centre of the spindle as shown here. If you intend to use new locks or latches on an old door, replacing your old ones, you will need to make sure the new one fits into the hole in the door. To do this, measure the ‘backset’ distance of your old lock.

What does backset mean on a door lock UK?

The backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the spindle mechanism on the latch. Usually a 63mm case measurement will have a 44mm backset and a 76mm case measurement will have a 65mm backset. The backset you choose is where your door knobs will sit on the door (where the spindle goes through).

What is the backset on a lock?

The backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the 2-1/8-inch bore hole. In the United States, there are two common backsets for residential door locks: 2 3/8 inches and 2 3/4 inches.

How do you measure the backset on a door lock?

To determine the backset on your door, measure the distance from the outer edge of the door, to the center, or highest point of the bore hole. If there is existing door hardware measure from the edge of the door to the center of the knob’s backplate.

How do I find my backset?

The way to measure for your back set is you grab your tape measure go to the edge of the door and pull it across here. We have this bottom hole drilled out for 2 and 3/4 you either measure at.

What size backset do I need?

You can work out the size of the lock by measuring the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the door handle or knob. This measurement will give you the approximate size of the backset which will allow you to identify which size lock or latch you have.

How do you measure a door lock UK?

Measure from the outside edge of the door (including furniture) to the centre of your door. This is dimension A and is called the External Size to Centre. Next, measure from the inside edge of your door (including furniture) to the centre of your door to find dimension B, the Internal Size to Centre.

What is backset size on a mortice lock?

Backset is measured from the centre of the keyhole to the edge of the lock. Most backsets are commonly measured at either 44mm (for a 64mm (2½”) lock) and 56mm (for a 76mm (3”) lock).

How do you measure a backset hinge?

Hinge Backset



The distance from the edge of the applied hinge leaf to the door face nearest the frame stop. This is a critical measurement and must be accurate within 1/32′′. The most common dimension is 1/4′′.

How do I change the backset on my entry latch?

It's as simple as pulling it straight back or pushing forward keeping the squared cut out squared with the rest of the latch.

Are door locks universal?

Door levers are left-handed, right-handed or universal. To determine what you need, look at the door from outside the house or room. If the hinges are on the left, look for a left-handed or universal lever. If the hinges are on the right, you need a right-handed or universal model.

How do you pick a door lock?

Your pick back and forth. And what you're doing is you're just moving those pins up and down on the lock. Until you get you get the gap between the key pin and the driver pin lining up with the shear.

How do you measure an interior door lock?

So you would measure the distance from the front face of the lock to the centre of the keyhole, then again from the front face of the lock to the centre of the follower, giving you two individual measurements.

Are mortice locks a standard size?

There are two sizes of mortice locks: 2^1/2” and 3”. If you are installing a mortice lock to a door with a narrow frame, or any door for that matter, it’s very important to know what size lock you need. The size of the mortice lock refers to how far the keyhole will be from the edge of the door.

What size is a standard door knob hole?

2 1/8″

Standard Door Prep for Door Knobs & Levers:



The standard sized bore hole is 2 1/8″ in diameter. Through the edge of the door there is a 1″ cross bore that extends from the edge of the door through the bore hole. (This cross bore is where the latch is installed).

What is the backset on a night latch?

What is the backset on a Night Latch? The backset on a night latch is the distance from the centre of the keyhole to the edge of your door, you will find most night latches will have a 60mm backset.

How do you measure a latch backset?

Overall Latch Size = Backset



An easy way to choose which latch you need is to measure from the edge of your door to the centre of your door Stile. Choose the Backset which is closest to this measurement, and the handle will be as central as possible to the Stile on your door.

What is a 40mm backset?

Ideally fitted to a front door, Night Latches that have a 40mm backset are one of the most commonly found sizes available on the market. With these door locks, the key hole centre is 40mm from the edge of the door and are suitable for panel textured doors or where space is at a premium.

Should you lock your front door at night?

Yet, studies show that millions of people still do not lock their doors at night despite the obvious risks. It’s highly recommended that you lock your house at night because it deters opportunistic burglars and potential attackers.

Why should you close your bedroom door at night?

Research from UL’s Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FRSI) shows that closing your bedroom door helps prevent a fire from spreading, lessens smoke damage and could even save lives. Just like having the right homeowners insurance, a little preparation can go a long way to help you rest easy.

Should I sleep with my bedroom door locked?

It is highly recommended to shut all bedroom entries each night while sleeping. Closed doors slow the spread of flames and smoke in case of fire. They also help block noises that can inhibit a good night’s sleep. In addition, it allows for faster reaction times to possible intruders in the home.

Should you deadlock your front door?

Exterior doors should be fitted with deadlocks for maximum home security. Deadlocks are much stronger and more secure than the simpler and cheaper rim latches or Yale latches, and when fitted can make it almost impossible for a burglar to force their way into your home through the exterior doors.

Should you leave keys in the lock?

Don’t leave keys on the inside of door locks or window ledges near the door as burglars can break a window and reach inside and unlock the door. Remove keys from view and keep them in a safe place.

Is a Sashlock better than a deadlock?

With deadlocks and sashlocks, neither is better than the other. It simply depends on how you use them. An office door might benefit from a sashlock, for example, while a front door which already has a Yale nightlatch on it would work better with a simple deadlock.

What does dead locking mean?

Deadlocks means that all door handles are mechanically disengaged, which prevents doors being opened from the inside. Deadlocks are activated with the remote control key and in keyless locking (Passive Entry)*. Deadlocks are activated with a delay of about 10 seconds after the doors have locked.

What is a dead lick?

Bathroom Deadlocks are designed in a way that can be locked from the inside but not from the outside sometimes showing that the room is occupied. These come as Deadlocks or Sashlocks and can be integrated to use the handle to lock the door.

How can deadlock be prevented?

Deadlock can be prevented by eliminating any of the four necessary conditions, which are mutual exclusion, hold and wait, no preemption, and circular wait. Mutual exclusion, hold and wait and no preemption cannot be violated practically.