What Is Door Handing? Left-Hand vs Right-Hand Explained (Multipoint Locks)

Handing describes whether a door is left-hand or right-hand. For multipoint locks, handing is usually tied to how the door swings and the direction of the spring latch bevel (the angled edge of the latch).

Door handing viewed from the outside

Most important rule: determine handing while standing on the OUTSIDE of the door.

• Left-hand: hinges are on the left when viewed from the outside.
• Right-hand: hinges are on the right when viewed from the outside.

This applies whether the door is an inswing (opens inward) or an outswing (opens outward).

The latch bevel matters because it needs to face the correct direction so it can slide smoothly into the strike when the door closes. If the handing is wrong, the latch may bind, stick, or not close correctly. This is one of the most common reasons people double-check handing before ordering replacement parts.

If you are unsure which hardware you have, browsing the Multipoint Locks collection can help show how handing affects different lock designs. You can also use the Multipoint Lock Identifier to confirm the exact lock before selecting handed components.

Many trim and handle sets are made to fit both left-hand and right-hand doors. You can view examples in the Handles & Trim collection, which includes non-handed options that simplify installation.

For a real-world example of how handing applies to individual parts, see the Peachtree IPD Auxiliary Locking Module (XO Handing), which shows how handed components are specified at the product level.