How to Determine Door Handing (Left-Hand or Right-Hand Swing)

By Door Harbor

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Last Updated Oct 2025

"Choosing the correct door handing ensures your door swings the right way, both functionally and aesthetically."

🔍 Why Door Handing Matters

When buying or installing a door, you'll often see terms like Left-Hand (LH) or Right-Hand (RH). Sometimes with "In" or "Out" added, such as LHI, RHO, etc.


Understanding these terms is crucial: a simple mistake in handing can cause installation issues, clearance problems, or even make your door unusable.

🤔 Common Questions

At Door Harbor, we've found that many homeowners often have similar questions, such as:

  • "Is this door swinging inside or outside?"
  • "Does a right-hand door mean the handle is on the right?"
  • "How do I know whether I need left-hand or right-hand?"
  • "What does inswing vs outswing mean?"

If you've ever wondered the same, this guide will make everything clear.

🪟 What Is Door Handing and How to Choose Your Door Handing?

"Door Handing" (or Door Swing Direction) describes which side your door's hinges are on and whether the door opens inward or outward.

 

There are four standard configurations:

  1. LHI – Left Hand In (door opens inward, hinges on the left)
  2. RHO – Right Hand Out (door opens outward, hinges on the right)
  3. RHI – Right Hand In (door opens inward, hinges on the right)
  4. LHO – Left Hand Out (door opens outward, hinges on the left)

💡 Why Door Harbor Only Offers LEFT and RIGHT Handing Options?

At Door Harbor, we simplify door handing to make your ordering process easier and more accurate.


While there are technically four swing configurations: Left Hand In (LHI), Left Hand Out (LHO), Right Hand In (RHI), and Right Hand Out (RHO). These actually share the same slab orientation in pairs.

 

1. LHI and RHO use the same door slab, so they both correspond to LEFT handing.

2. RHI and LHO use the same door slab, so they both correspond to RIGHT handing.

 

That's why our ordering options only show LEFT or RIGHT. You don't need to select between inswing or outswing at checkout.


Before ordering, simply decide whether your door should open inward or outward, then match it to the diagram above to confirm your handing:


① / ② → LEFT  ③ / ④ → RIGHT