French doors are a timeless choice for both exterior and interior applications — blending natural light, elegant design, and seamless flow between spaces. Whether you're upgrading your patio entrance or dividing interior rooms with style, knowing the right dimensions is essential. This guide walks you through standard French door sizes, custom options, and exactly how to measure for a perfect fit.
Standard French Door Size
The standard French door measures 80 inches in height and is available in three common widths: 36, 48, and 60 inches. This sizing is designed to accommodate most residential door openings without requiring custom modifications. That said, for unique architectural spaces or specific design goals, custom dimensions are always available.
Exterior French Door Sizes
Exterior French doors are built to connect indoor living areas with outdoor spaces — patios, gardens, decks, and balconies. They combine weather resistance with visual elegance. Below are the most widely used exterior French door dimensions:
Interior French Door Sizes
Interior French doors function beautifully as room dividers — allowing light to travel while maintaining a sense of separation. They're an elegant solution for master bedrooms, home offices, dining rooms, and living areas.
Standard Ceiling Heights
- 80" × 30"
- 80" × 36"
- 80" × 48"
- 80" × 60"
High Ceiling Options
- 84" × 36"
- 84" × 30"
- 96" × 30"
Standard vs. Custom French Door Sizes
Standard sizes are engineered to fit the majority of door openings efficiently and cost-effectively. However, custom sizing unlocks greater flexibility for non-standard frames, grand architectural features, or situations where height and width fall outside typical ranges. Custom doors offer more creative freedom — but come at a premium in both cost and lead time.
Which should you choose?
If your rough opening matches standard dimensions within a half-inch tolerance, go standard — it's faster and more affordable. If your space has unique framing, high ceilings, or special design requirements, invest in custom sizing to guarantee a seamless result.
How to Measure for French Doors
Accurate measurement is the single most important step in any French door installation. Follow these six steps to get it right the first time:
Gather Your Tools
You'll need a steel tape measure, a notepad and pen, and a pencil or marker for annotating where each measurement begins and ends. A second person to assist with holding the tape is highly recommended.
Clear the Area
Remove any furniture, decor, or obstructions around the door frame before you begin. An unobstructed opening ensures that your measurements accurately reflect the true frame dimensions.
Measure the Width
Place your tape measure at the top of the door frame and measure across from one side to the other. Repeat this at the middle and at the floor level. Record all three readings — use the largest as your final width to account for any frame irregularities.
Measure the Height
Measure from the floor (or sill) up to the underside of the door trim on the left side, center, and right side. As with width, use the largest of the three measurements as your final height figure.
Measure the Depth
If your installation requires it, measure the depth of the door frame using your tape measure from inside to outside. This ensures the door slab and frame will sit flush within the wall thickness.
Double-Check Everything
Before ordering, verify all measurements at least twice. If anything seems inconsistent, or if your opening has unusual characteristics, consult a professional or refer to the manufacturer's specifications. When in doubt, a retractable screen door may offer additional flexibility.
What Is the Ideal French Door Size?
The right French door size comes down to your space, your goals, and the aesthetic you want to achieve. As a general rule, exterior French doors should be at least 60 inches wide to allow comfortable furniture movement and traffic flow. Interior French doors can be as narrow as 30 inches, though 36 inches is more practical for everyday use.
Wider doors make a space feel open, airy, and inviting. Narrower doors lend a more intimate, defined feel — ideal for study rooms or wine cellars. Consider the amount of natural light you want to welcome in, and factor in the overall aesthetic you're pursuing when making your final decision.
Pro Tip from Backyard Provider
For outdoor living spaces connected to your backyard, we recommend 72" or wider exterior French doors. The wider the opening, the more seamlessly your indoor and outdoor areas merge — perfect for entertaining, grilling setups, and al fresco dining.