Door Guide – Dimensions and Measurements
Standard Door Height and Size: Complete Canada Guide
Standard door sizes in Canada cover height, width, and thickness for every type of door — interior, exterior, pocket, and barn. This guide presents all the key dimensions in clear tables, explains where Canadian standards differ from US or European norms, and covers what to do when a standard size does not fit your opening.
In This Article
Standard Interior Door Height in Canada
The standard interior door height in Canada is 80 inches (6 feet 8 inches or 2,032 mm). This is the most commonly installed residential height across all provinces and territories, and it is what local building codes reference for minimum clearance in new residential construction.
Taller heights are increasingly common in new builds. Many builders now install 96-inch (8-foot) interior doors as standard, particularly in homes with higher ceiling heights. Heights of 84, 90, 96, and 108 inches are all available from most door manufacturers.
Standard interior door heights in Canada (imperial to metric):
| Height (Inches) | Height (Feet) | Height (mm) | Common Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80″ | 6′ 8″ | 2,032 | Standard residential — most common |
| 84″ | 7′ 0″ | 2,134 | Transitional/upgraded residential |
| 90″ | 7′ 6″ | 2,286 | Higher ceiling applications |
| 96″ | 8′ 0″ | 2,438 | New builds — increasingly standard |
| 108″ | 9′ 0″ | 2,743 | High-ceiling and statement applications |
Interior Door Dimensions: Complete Table
Interior door widths in Canada range from 18 to 36 inches in 2-inch increments. The most commonly used width for a single interior door is 32 inches. Widths under 22 inches are most often used as one leaf of a double door configuration.
| Width (Inches) | Width (mm) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 18″ | 457 | Small closet, double door leaf |
| 20″ | 508 | Narrow closet, double door leaf |
| 22″ | 559 | Utility, closet |
| 24″ | 610 | Closet, pantry |
| 26″ | 660 | Utility, secondary bedroom |
| 28″ | 711 | Secondary bedroom, bathroom |
| 30″ | 762 | Standard bedroom and bathroom |
| 32″ | 813 | Most common interior door width |
| 34″ | 864 | Primary bedroom, accessibility |
| 36″ | 914 | Accessibility standard, main room |
Note: 32 inches (813 mm) is the standard door width for most interior applications. 36 inches is required for accessibility compliance under the Ontario Building Code and is increasingly specified for primary bedroom and main-level doors in accessible design.
Exterior Door Dimensions in Canada
Standard exterior doors in Canada are typically taller and wider than interior doors. The standard exterior door height is 80 inches, but front entry doors are commonly installed at 96 inches and above. The standard exterior door width for a single door is 36 inches.
| Door Type | Standard Width | Standard Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single entry door | 36″ (914 mm) | 80″ or 96″ | Most common front door configuration |
| Single door with sidelight | 36″ door + sidelight | 80″ to 108″ | Sidelight width varies: 12″ to 18″ |
| Double entry door | 60″ to 72″ total | 80″ to 108″ | Two 30″ or 36″ leaves |
| Patio / sliding door | 60″ to 72″ | 80″ | Standard opening for 3-panel sliding |
| Pivot door (single) | 32″ to 60″+ | 80″ to 144″+ | Custom — no standard limit with pivot system |
| Garage door (single) | 96″ (8′) | 84″ | Standard single car |
| Garage door (double) | 168″ (14′) | 84″ | Standard double car |
Custom exterior doors — particularly pivot doors and oversized entries — are not governed by standard sizes. At Arista, every custom exterior door is manufactured to the exact dimensions of the opening. Learn more about pivot door sizing options when a standard opening is not your constraint.
Standard Door Thickness in Canada
Door thickness in Canada depends on the door type and application. Standard thicknesses are:
| Door Type | Standard Thickness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior door (hollow core) | 1 3/8″ (35 mm) | Most common interior door thickness |
| Interior door (solid core) | 1 3/4″ (44 mm) | Recommended for sound reduction and durability |
| Exterior door (standard) | 1 3/4″ (44 mm) | Minimum for exterior applications |
| Exterior door (heavy duty) | 2 1/4″ (57 mm) | Used for security and oversized applications |
| Custom / pivot door | 2″ to 4″+ (50 to 100+ mm) | Specified by project; no standard limit |
For exterior doors in Canada, 1 3/4 inches is the minimum recommended thickness. A thicker door provides better insulation, more security, and a more substantial feel and sound when closing. Arista’s exterior doors are available in 1 3/4″, 2 1/4″, and custom thicknesses depending on the specification.
Pocket and Barn Door Sizes
Pocket and barn doors follow the same width and height standards as their hinged equivalents, with a small addition for the edges that disappear into the wall or past the opening:
| Door Type | Size Relationship to Opening | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pocket door | Opening width + 3/4″ to 1″ on each side | Extra width stays inside the wall |
| Barn door | Opening width + 1″ to 2″ on each side | Extra width ensures full coverage of opening |
Canada vs USA: Are the Standard Door Sizes the Same?
Standard door sizes in Canada and the USA are effectively identical for residential construction. Both countries use the same imperial measurements (inches and feet) for door specifications, and the same standard heights (80″, 84″, 96″), widths (18″ to 36″), and thicknesses (1 3/8″, 1 3/4″) apply.
The key difference is that Canada has officially adopted the metric system, so Canadian building codes and technical documents express dimensions in millimetres alongside imperial. In practice, the construction industry in Canada still primarily specifies doors in inches, mirroring the US market.
European door standards differ significantly. European standard door heights are typically 2,000 mm (approximately 79 inches) or 2,100 mm (approximately 83 inches), with narrower standard widths starting from 600 mm (approximately 24 inches). If you are specifying doors for a project that may include imported European components, verify dimensions in millimetres before ordering.
When Standard Sizes Do Not Fit
Existing homes, particularly those built before the 1970s, often have non-standard door openings. Older homes may have door heights of 78 inches (6 feet 6 inches) or widths in non-standard increments. Custom-built homes frequently specify oversized openings from the outset.
In all these cases, a custom-made door is the correct solution. A door built to the exact opening dimensions will always perform better than a standard door trimmed to fit or a non-standard opening modified to accept a standard door.
At Arista, there are no standard sizes. Every door we build starts from the precise dimensions of the opening, regardless of whether that opening is 32 inches or 120 inches wide. Request a free quote with your measurements and our team will design the door to fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard door height in Canada?
The standard door height in Canada is 80 inches (6 feet 8 inches or 2,032 mm) for interior doors. For exterior front doors, 80 and 96 inches are both commonly used, with 96 inches (8 feet) becoming increasingly standard in new residential construction.
What is the standard interior door size in Canada?
The standard interior door size in Canada is 80 inches tall by 32 inches wide by 1 3/4 inches thick (2,032 x 813 x 44 mm). This is the most commonly installed residential configuration. Bedroom and bathroom doors frequently use 30-inch widths, and 36-inch widths are required for accessible design.
How tall is a standard door in meters?
The standard door height of 80 inches converts to 2.032 meters. The 96-inch (8-foot) door height, which is common in newer Canadian homes, is 2.438 meters.
What is the standard exterior door size in Canada?
The standard exterior front door in Canada is 36 inches wide by 80 or 96 inches tall by 1 3/4 inches thick. Double entry doors typically measure 60 to 72 inches total width. Custom pivot doors and oversized entry doors are not governed by standard dimensions.
What is the standard door thickness?
Standard hollow core interior doors are 1 3/8 inches (35 mm) thick. Standard solid core interior doors and all exterior doors are 1 3/4 inches (44 mm) thick. Heavy duty exterior and custom doors are available in 2 1/4 inches and thicker.
Are Canadian and American door sizes the same?
Yes. Standard residential door sizes in Canada and the United States are identical. Both countries use imperial measurements (inches and feet) for door specifications, and the standard heights, widths, and thicknesses are the same across both markets.
