How To Measure For A Barn Door
If you are looking to have a barn door built for your space, this will show you how to take the measurements to get it right.
How to Measure for a Barn Door: A Step-by-Step Guide
Barn doors are a stylish, space-saving solution for everything from pantries to bedrooms. But before you can enjoy the charm and functionality they bring, you need to make sure you're ordering the right size. Measuring for a barn door isn’t difficult—but it does require a little precision. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you get it right the first time.
Step 1: Measure the Door Opening
Start by measuring the width and height of the doorway (also called the “rough opening”).
Width: Measure from one edge of the opening to the other. Take this measurement at the top, middle, and bottom—sometimes walls aren’t perfectly square. Use the largest number.
Height: Measure from the floor to the top of the opening. Again, measure both sides to ensure consistency.
📝 Tip: If your doorway has trim around it and you want the barn door to cover the trim, include that in your measurements.
Step 2: Determine the Ideal Door Size
A barn door should be wider and taller than the opening to fully cover it and block light, sound, and drafts.
Width of Door = Width of opening + 2 to 4 inches
(This gives you about 1–2 inches of overlap on each side.)Height of Door = Height of opening + 1 to 2 inches
This extra coverage ensures privacy and a clean look.
Step 3: Check for Wall Space
Your barn door will slide along a track mounted above the opening and move to the side—so you’ll need clear wall space at least as wide as your door.
Look for:
Light switches or outlets
Windows
Trim, vents, or art
Baseboard or crown molding
If any of these items protrude past ¾” from the wall, make note of its overall thickness, the hardware can be adjusted to accommodate.
Step 4: Measure for the Track
Most barn door kits include a track that’s twice the width of your door. That’s the standard rule of thumb, though some tracks come in one continuous length.
Make sure:
You have enough room above the door for the track and rollers (usually 5"–5.5" of clearance)
If planning ahead, The addition of blocking above the opening is beneficial for mounting the header
Step 5: Check Floor Clearance
Most barn doors hang about ½ inch off the floor. Make sure your floors are level and account for any rugs or thresholds nearby.
Final Checklist:
✅ Door opening measured (width + height)
✅ Additional inches added for overlap
✅ Wall space available for door to slide open
✅ Track space and ceiling clearance confirmed
✅ Floor clearance and levelness checked
If you are looking to have one custom made, you can look to our Barn Doors page for some ideas or Request A Quote. We ship worldwide.