How To Measure A Door Handle – What’s a Door Handle PZ
uPVC Door Handle Finder
Replacing a uPVC door handle is straightforward when you know two measurements: the PZ (centre-to-centre distance between the keyhole and the spindle) and the screw centres (distance between the top and bottom fixing screws). Optionally pick a finish too, and we'll show you every handle we stock that fits — no guessing, no returns.
Find My Door Handle
Select your measurements, then click the button. The dropdowns only show sizes and finishes we currently stock.
Not sure of your sizes? Follow the 2-step guide below — or if you can't find your size, email or WhatsApp us and we'll identify your handle.
How to Measure Your Door Handle
Two measurements determine which handle will fit your door. Both are taken from the existing handle (or, if you've already removed it, from the door itself). Always measure in millimetres and round to the nearest standard size shown in the dropdowns above.
Step 1
Measure the PZ
The PZ is the distance from the centre of the keyhole (the euro cylinder cut-out) to the centre of the spindle (the square hole the lever sits on).
- Measure in millimetres, centre to centre
- If the handle is still on the door, hold a ruler vertically against the backplate
- Round to the nearest size shown in the dropdown
Inline vs offset: on an inline handle the keyhole and spindle sit directly above one another — one vertical line passes through both. This is the standard layout on most modern uPVC doors. On an offset handle the spindle is set to one side of the keyhole rather than below it, so the two are staggered. Offset PZs are written as two numbers (e.g. 92mm/62mm Offset) that describe the staggered geometry. Inline and offset handles are not interchangeable — your replacement must match the type of your existing handle. The easiest check: look at your old handle. If the lever sits directly above or below the keyhole, it's inline. If the lever sits to the side, it's offset. Common UK inline PZs: 92mm (most modern uPVC), 68mm (older doors), 117mm (Millenco), 70mm (Hoppe Ferco), 48mm (specialty). Most common offset: 92mm/62mm.
Step 2
Measure the Screw Centres
The screw centres is the distance between the centre of the top fixing screw and the centre of the bottom fixing screw on the backplate.
- Measure in millimetres, screw centre to screw centre
- Both screws must line up exactly with the existing holes in your door — even 2mm out will not fit
- If your old handle is off the door, measure between the holes left behind
Why 210, 211 and 212mm are all called 212mm: different manufacturers list the same hole spacing as 210mm, 211mm or 212mm depending on how each brand measures and rounds. The variation is within manufacturing tolerance — the screws will line up regardless, because the fixings have a few millimetres of play in the holes. We use 212mm as our canonical size for this group, so if you measure anywhere from 210mm to 212mm just pick 212mm. The same principle applies to 236mm and 237mm, which we list as 237mm.
Optional
Pick a Finish
Finish is a preference, not a compatibility factor — but you'll almost certainly want internal and external handles to match. We stock the following finishes across the door handle range: Chrome, Gold, Silver, Black, White, Brass, Bronze, Pewter, Graphite, Anthracite Grey, Antique Black and Stainless Steel.
Antique Black vs Black: these are separate finishes. Antique Black has a slight aged/patinated appearance; standard Black is a flat modern black.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PZ on a uPVC door handle?
PZ stands for "profile cylinder" distance — it's the centre-to-centre measurement between the keyhole (where the euro cylinder sits) and the spindle (the square bar that operates the latch). Getting this right is essential because the holes in the backplate must line up with the cylinder and gearbox inside your door.
What's the difference between inline and offset door handles?
On an inline handle, the keyhole and the lever spindle sit directly in line vertically — one above the other. If you drop a vertical line through the keyhole, it passes through the spindle too. This is the standard layout on most modern uPVC doors.
On an offset handle, the spindle is set to one side of the keyhole rather than below it. The two are staggered. Offset PZs are written as two numbers (e.g. 92mm/62mm Offset) which describes the staggered geometry. Common offsets are 92mm/62mm and 70mm/92mm.
Inline and offset handles are not interchangeable. Your replacement must match the type of your existing handle — the bolt patterns inside the door are different. Easiest way to check: look at your old handle. If the lever sits directly above or below the keyhole, it's inline. If the lever is set to the side, it's offset.
Why are 210mm, 211mm and 212mm screw centres all the same?
Different manufacturers list the same hole spacing as 210mm, 211mm or 212mm depending on how each brand measures and rounds. The variation is within manufacturing tolerance — the screws will line up regardless, because the fixings have a few millimetres of play in the holes. We use 212mm as our canonical size for this group, so if you measure 210, 211 or 212mm just pick 212mm in the finder. The same principle applies to 236mm and 237mm, which we list as 237mm.
What is the Universal Adjustable handle for?
The 59mm-96mm Adjustable handle is a specialist retrofit product designed for replacing old or obsolete door handles. It has 260mm screw centres — a fixing spacing common on older handles that's now hard to source as a like-for-like replacement — and a PZ that adjusts anywhere between 59mm and 96mm to match whatever the original handle's PZ was.
If your existing handle is old, the brand is discontinued, or you can't find an exact like-for-like match for the original screw centres and PZ, the Universal Adjustable is a reliable single-product fix. It's specifically a retrofit handle for legacy hardware — not a general fallback for newer doors where standard sizes are still widely available.
What are screw centres and why do they matter?
Screw centres is the distance between the two fixing screws on the handle's backplate. Because the holes are pre-drilled into your door, the new handle's screws must align exactly with them — even a few millimetres off and the handle won't sit flush. Always measure your existing handle (or the holes left in the door) before ordering.
Does it matter which way up my handle is?
For finding a compatible handle, no — the PZ measurement is the same whether the lever sits above or below the keyhole. Most uPVC door handles are reversible. The exception is sprung handles for specific lock manufacturers, where the spring direction must match the door's handing — this is flagged on the relevant product pages.
What if no handles come up after I select my sizes?
Try unchecking the finish — that often opens up more options since finish is a preference, not a compatibility factor. If you still see no matches, drop us an email at sales@upvc-store.com or scan our WhatsApp QR code at the bottom of this page — with over 30 years in the industry we can almost always identify the correct replacement from a photo.
Can I measure the PZ without removing the handle?
Yes. With the handle on the door, hold a ruler vertically against the backplate and measure from the centre of the keyhole to the centre of the lever's spindle (the round boss where the handle pivots). It's faster to be accurate with the handle removed, but a careful in-place measurement is usually fine.
Can't find your size? Send us a photo.
Whether by email or WhatsApp, send a clear photo of your existing handle alongside a ruler showing the dimensions — with over 30 years in the industry we can almost always identify the correct replacement.
Email Us
Send your photos and measurements to our sales team and we'll reply with the right handle.
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