When you replace cabinet pulls, measure the center-to-center distance between the screw holes first. That’s how pulls are sized. Amerock notes that size is determined “by measuring from hole to hole, not by the length of the pull itself.” A new pull with matching spacing goes on without new holes or filler.

Measure the existing hardware

Remove one pull and measure from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other. Check a few doors and drawers, because older kitchens sometimes mix sizes. Amerock lists 3 inches as the most common spacing. Its common hole-center sizes include 2-1/2, 2-3/4, 3, 3-1/4, 3-1/2 and 4 inches, plus metric 96 mm and 128 mm.

For knobs there’s only one hole, so any knob fits the hole. Amerock says 1-1/4 and 1-3/8 inches are the most popular knob diameters, but the choice is about proportion.

Check thickness and screw length

Amerock includes 8-32 machine screws 1 inch long with most of its knobs and pulls, because the typical door or drawer front is 3/4 inch thick. It says the screw should generally be about 1/4 inch longer than the material it passes through. Measure both a door and a drawer: Amerock notes that some drawers have a 3/4-inch front attached to a 3/4-inch box, for 1-1/2 inches total, which needs a 1-3/4-inch screw. Some hardware uses metric screws instead.

Check clearance with one sample

Mount one pull before ordering the full set. Open the door or drawer through its full travel and look for contact with:

  • the next door, a wall or a filler strip
  • the refrigerator, dishwasher, range or their handles
  • a countertop overhang or backsplash
  • a neighboring pull where doors meet at a corner

Try it with a loaded drawer, too. A pull that looks right can feel cramped when the drawer is heavy.

Drilling new holes

If you’re installing on undrilled fronts or switching from knobs to pulls:

  • Placement: Amerock says there are no fixed rules, but most cabinet makers place door hardware about 3 to 4 inches from the upper non-hinged corner on base cabinets, or the lower non-hinged corner on wall cabinets.
  • Hole size: Amerock recommends a 3/16-inch hole for most styles. Pulls with “studs” (extensions of the screw holes) need a 1/4-inch hole.
  • Template: a durable template keeps holes parallel to the edge and at the same height on every front. Amerock warns against drilling from a printed template, because printers can distort the scale.

Clamp the template, mark the first piece, check it with the door closed, and only then drill the rest.

Buying sequence

  1. Record every center-to-center spacing in the kitchen.
  2. Measure door and drawer-front thickness, noting doubled drawer fronts.
  3. Order one sample and test its clearance and grip.
  4. Confirm the screw length before ordering the full set.
  5. Buy a spare or two from the same finish batch in case one breaks later.

FAQ

How do I measure a cabinet pull for replacement?

Measure from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other. Amerock notes that pull size is determined hole to hole, not by the length of the pull.

What screw length do cabinet pulls need?

Amerock says screws should generally be about 1/4 inch longer than the door or drawer-front thickness. Its included 1-inch screws suit typical 3/4-inch fronts, but a doubled 1-1/2-inch drawer front needs about 1-3/4-inch screws.

Can I replace a knob with a pull?

Only by drilling a second hole, unless you use a backplate made to cover the change. Check that the new hardware hides the old hole before drilling.

Why does a new pull stay loose when the screw feels tight?

The screw may be bottoming out in the pull before it clamps, or be too short to engage. Check the front thickness and use the right length.

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