Working out pocket door sizes is a little different from sizing a hinged door. A pocket door slides into the wall, so you need to think about three measurements, not one: the door itself, the gap you’ll walk through, and the length of wall the whole frame takes up.
This guide explains the standard pocket door sizes used in the UK, how they relate to the opening and wall space, and how to choose the right size for your room.
The three sizes you need to know
Pocket door manufacturers usually list three sets of dimensions for every frame:
- Door size: the width and height of the door leaf you hang in the frame.
- Passage size: the clear opening you walk through when the door is fully open. This is a little smaller than the door.
- Overall frame size: the width and height of the complete frame, including the pocket. This is what has to fit into your stud wall.
The thickness of the wall is a separate question. Our pocket door wall thickness guide covers 100mm, 115mm and 145mm builds in detail, so this article concentrates on width and height.
Standard UK pocket door sizes
Most pocket door kits are designed around standard UK door sizes, so you can hang an ordinary internal door rather than ordering a special one. You’ll usually see two families of sizes.
Imperial sizes (1981mm high)
These are the traditional UK sizes, based on a 6ft 6in (1981mm) height:
| Door size (W x H) | Imperial equivalent |
|---|---|
| 610 x 1981mm | 2ft 0in x 6ft 6in |
| 686 x 1981mm | 2ft 3in x 6ft 6in |
| 762 x 1981mm | 2ft 6in x 6ft 6in |
| 838 x 1981mm | 2ft 9in x 6ft 6in |
| 914 x 1981mm | 3ft 0in x 6ft 6in |
Some kits also cover less common sizes such as 711 x 1981mm, 813 x 2032mm and 864 x 2032mm.
Metric sizes (2040mm high)
Metric doors are taller, at 2040mm, and come in widths such as 626mm, 726mm, 826mm and 926mm. They’re common in newer homes and are often chosen for a more generous, modern feel.
As an example, the Rocket 90mm pocket door kit we sell is offered for 1981mm high doors from 610mm to 914mm wide, and for 2040mm high doors at 726mm, 826mm and 926mm wide. Always check the size list for the specific kit you’re buying, because ranges vary between manufacturers and models.
Door size vs passage size
When a pocket door is open, it doesn’t disappear completely into the wall. Most systems leave the leading edge of the door standing slightly proud of the pocket, so you can grip the handle and pull it closed. The door also overlaps the frame on the closing side. Both of these reduce the clear width slightly.
Eclisse’s published size table for its Classic single frame shows how this works in practice:
| Door size | Passage size |
|---|---|
| 610 x 1981mm | 585 x 1971mm |
| 762 x 1981mm | 737 x 1971mm |
| 838 x 1981mm | 813 x 1971mm |
| 826 x 2040mm | 800 x 2030mm |
| 926 x 2040mm | 900 x 2030mm |
So, as a rough guide, expect the clear opening to be a little narrower and slightly lower than the door itself. If you need a particular clear width, for example for a wheelchair user, work from the passage size in the manufacturer’s table rather than the door size. If you’re building a new home, your designer or building control body can confirm what clear widths are required.
How much wall space does a pocket door need?
Because the door has to slide fully into the wall beside the opening, a single pocket door frame is roughly twice the door width, plus a little extra for the frame itself.
Using the same Eclisse Classic single table, a 762 x 1981mm door needs an overall frame of about 1625mm wide and 2056mm high, while a 926 x 2040mm door needs a frame of about 1888mm wide and 2115mm high. Other systems have slightly different figures, so always check the overall dimensions for the exact kit.
When you measure your wall, remember that the pocket section needs to be clear of:
- pipes and cables that would cross the cavity
- light switches and sockets (unless they’re positioned outside the pocket)
- radiators, shelves or wall cupboards fixed through the pocket
Our pocket door installation guide explains how to check your wall before you buy.
Overall height
The frame is taller than the door because it contains the track, runners and head. Allow for the overall frame height in the table, measured from the finished floor level. If your floor finish isn’t down yet, plan the frame height around the final floor, not the subfloor.
Double pocket door sizes
Double pocket doors use two pockets, one on each side of the opening, with the doors meeting in the middle. Many kits are made by joining two single frames. The Rocket kits we sell, for example, are supplied with joining brackets so two singles can be combined into a double.
The maths roughly doubles:
- the passage width is about twice the single door’s passage width
- the overall frame is about twice the single frame’s width
As an example, Eclisse lists a double frame for two 826 x 2040mm doors with a 1600mm wide passage and an overall frame width of 3294mm. That’s a lot of wall, so double pocket doors suit wide openings between living spaces rather than standard room doorways.
Non-standard and tall pocket doors
If a standard size doesn’t suit your opening, you have a few options:
- Choose the next size down and adjust the stud opening to suit. This is usually the simplest and cheapest route.
- Use a taller or wider kit. Some manufacturers make frames for taller doors and larger panels to order. Eclisse, for example, states that non-standard sizes are available on request, but limits vary by product.
- Consider a frameless (flush) kit. These have their own size tables because the jambs and reveals are different. See our guide to pocket door frames for the differences between architrave and flush frames.
Door weight matters too, especially with tall or wide doors. Every kit has a maximum door weight, and you should stay within it. The Rocket 90mm kit, for example, is rated for doors up to 60kg.
Door thickness
Pocket door kits are designed for a range of door thicknesses. Many accept both 35mm and 44mm doors, but check the kit details. The Rocket 90mm kit is listed for doors 35-44mm thick, for instance. If you’re planning a fire-rated pocket door, you’ll need a 44mm FD30 door and a frame that has been tested as an FD30 assembly. Our FD30 pocket doors guide explains what’s involved.
How to choose the right pocket door size
- Decide how wide the clear opening needs to be. Think about who will use the room and what needs to fit through it.
- Match it to a standard door size. Check the passage width in the kit’s size table, not just the door width.
- Measure the available wall length. Make sure the overall frame width fits, with the pocket section clear of services.
- Check the height. Measure from finished floor level to the underside of the ceiling or any beam above, and compare it with the overall frame height.
- Confirm wall thickness and door weight. Then choose a kit that matches your studwork and your door.
If your measurements fall between sizes, it’s usually better to talk it through before you build the stud wall, as small changes to the opening are easy at that stage and difficult afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common pocket door size in the UK?
Pocket door kits are made to suit standard UK internal door sizes, such as 762 x 1981mm (2ft 6in x 6ft 6in) and 826 x 2040mm. The right one for you depends on your opening and wall space.
How much wider is the wall than the pocket door?
A single pocket door frame needs roughly twice the door width, plus a little more for the frame. For example, Eclisse lists an overall width of about 1625mm for a 762mm wide door. Check the exact figure for your kit.
Is the opening the same width as the door?
No. The clear passage is slightly narrower than the door, because part of the door usually stays out of the pocket so you can pull it closed. For a 762mm door, Eclisse lists a 737mm passage width.
Can I get a pocket door in a non-standard size?
Often, yes. Some manufacturers make frames to order for non-standard door sizes, within limits that vary by product. You may also be able to adjust your stud opening to suit a standard size.
Do double pocket doors need two kits?
Many do. Some double systems are supplied as one kit, while others, such as the Rocket kits we stock, are made by joining two single frames with the brackets supplied.
Find the right size pocket door kit
Getting the size right at the planning stage saves a lot of hassle later. Browse our pocket door kits by door size, or contact us with your opening, wall length and wall thickness and we’ll help you choose.
