Most of the door problems we see at fitting time start with the tape measure, not the door. A shutter that is 20 mm too wide means planing or re-cutting on site. One that is too short leaves an ugly gap at the floor. Neither is fun when the painter is waiting and the family wants to move in.
So before you pick a design, it helps to know what a “standard” door size actually means in an Indian home, and how to measure your own openings so the door you order is the door that fits.
Common door sizes in Indian homes
There is no single law that fixes door sizes for houses, but builders and carpenters across North India work to a fairly settled set of numbers. Height is almost always 7 feet (about 2100 mm). Width is what changes from room to room.
| Door | Typical shutter size | Approx. in mm |
|---|---|---|
| Main entrance (single) | 7 x 3.5 ft | 2100 x 1050 |
| Main entrance (double) | 7 x 4 ft to 7 x 5 ft | 2100 x 1200 to 1500 |
| Bedroom | 7 x 3 ft | 2100 x 900 |
| Kitchen, store, balcony | 7 x 2.5 ft to 7 x 3 ft | 2100 x 750 to 900 |
| Bathroom / toilet | 7 x 2.5 ft (sometimes 2.25 ft) | 2100 x 750 (or 685) |
Our ready sizes follow the same pattern. Single shutters are made in 7 x 3 ft and 7 x 2.5 ft, and teak wood double doors in 7 x 4 ft and 7 x 5 ft. Anything outside that is made to measure at no extra charge.
Shutter, frame and opening are three different numbers
This is where most confusion comes from. When someone says “my door is 7 by 3”, they usually mean the shutter, the part that swings. But the hole in your wall is bigger, because the frame (the chaukhat) sits inside it and takes up space on both sides and on top.
- Opening: the raw gap in the masonry.
- Frame: fixed into the opening. Its section size decides how much width and height it eats.
- Shutter: fits inside the frame with a small working gap on each side.
If your frame is already fixed, measure inside the frame. If you are getting a new frame as well, measure the bare opening and tell us that is what you measured. Mixing the two is the single most common ordering mistake.
How to measure an opening properly
- Measure the width at three points: near the top, in the middle and near the floor. Walls are rarely perfectly straight.
- Measure the height at three points: left side, centre and right side.
- Write down the smallest width and the smallest height. That is your working size.
- Measure the wall thickness if you also need a frame, so the frame depth matches the wall.
- Check the floor. If tiles or marble are not laid yet, the finished floor will rise by 40 to 75 mm depending on the material and bedding. Ask your contractor for the final floor level before you order.
That last point catches people out all the time in new flats. The door is measured on bare concrete, the marble goes in, and suddenly the shutter scrapes the floor.
What door thickness should you choose?
Thickness is listed in millimetres and it matters more than most buyers think. A thicker door feels more solid, holds hinges and locks better, and blocks more sound.
- 30 to 35 mm: fine for bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Our membrane doors come in 30 and 35 mm, and teak veneer doors in 32 and 35 mm.
- 32 to 38 mm: a solid choice for most internal doors. Laminate mica grooving doors are made in 32 and 38 mm.
- 38 to 50 mm: for main entrances and heavy carved designs. Our teak wood doors come in 38, 45 and 50 mm.
A heavier main door also needs more support. Plan for at least three good quality hinges on any 38 mm or thicker shutter, and four on tall or carved doors.
When a custom size makes more sense
Older houses in Chandigarh’s sectors, ancestral homes in Punjab towns and renovated kothis often have openings that do not match any standard. Cutting down a standard shutter to fit can weaken the edges and expose the core. In those cases it is better to have the door made to size from the start. You can read how that works on our custom doors page.
Before you send us your sizes
To get an accurate quote quickly, send us:
- The room each door is for
- Width and height of each opening (and whether it is with or without frame)
- Wall thickness, if you need frames
- Number of doors
- A photo of the opening, if you have one
Within 40 km of our Derabassi factory, which covers Zirakpur, Mohali, Panchkula and Chandigarh, our team visits to measure for free before production. Elsewhere, the checklist above is enough to get started. Get in touch here.
Quick answers
Is 7 feet the standard door height in India?
Yes, 7 ft (about 2100 mm) is the usual height for doors in Indian homes. Taller doors of 7.5 or 8 ft are increasingly used in villas and modern main entrances, and these are made to order.
What is the standard bathroom door size?
Most bathroom doors are 7 x 2.5 ft. In compact flats you will also find 7 x 2.25 ft.
Can a standard door be cut down to fit?
A small trim is usually possible, but heavy cutting can expose the core and weaken the door. A made to measure door is the safer option.