How to replace a door handle
Quick answer: Undo the screws or grub screw holding the old handle, pull both handles off the spindle, slide the new spindle through the latch, fit the handles on both sides and tighten the screws. Check the latch bolt works smoothly and the door closes properly.
Handles wear out and they go loose or droop. Replacing them is easy as long as you get the right size and style. Take the old handle with you to the shop if you can.
Most internal doors have a handle on a rose or a backplate, held by two screws, with a square spindle through the latch.
What you will need
- The new door handle set
- Screwdriver (and sometimes a small Allen key for a grub screw)
- A tape measure
- The old handle for matching, if you can
Step by step
Look at the old handle
Check whether it has a visible screw on the rose or backplate, or a small grub screw on the underside of the handle, or a cover that clips off. Also check whether it has a lock or a thumb turn.
Remove the handle
Undo the screws, or the grub screw with an Allen key. Pull off one handle, then the other. The square spindle slides out.
Check the latch
Look at the latch in the edge of the door. If it is working and the right type, you can keep it. If it is worn, undo the two screws on the faceplate and swap it for a matching one.
Measure the key sizes
If you need to replace a latch, you need the 'backset' (the distance from the door edge to the centre of the spindle), commonly 44 mm or 57 mm, and whether it is a tubular or a sash latch.
Fit the new handles
Push the new spindle through the latch hole and fit the handle on the other side. Fix the roses or backplates with the screws supplied. Do not overtighten.
Test
Check both handles move smoothly and return to level. Close the door and check the latch clicks into the strike plate, and the door does not rub.
Tips
- A sagging handle is often a loose spindle or worn spring. Sometimes tightening the grub screw is all you need.
- For a bathroom door, buy a bathroom lock set with a thumb turn and an emergency release.
- Fit handles on a fire door only if they are rated for use on one.
Stop and get help if
- The latch is stuck or broken inside the door. Remove it and replace it, or ask a carpenter.
- The door is a fire door or a front door with a multi-point lock. Those are different.
- The hole in the door is not the same size as the new handle. Do not force it.
- It is a lever lock that is part of your security (front or back door). Get a locksmith.
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Common questions
Do I need to change the latch as well as the handle?
Not always. If the latch works smoothly and matches, you can keep it. If it is worn or sticking, a new latch costs a few pounds.
What is a backset?
It is the distance from the door's edge to the centre of the handle spindle. Common sizes are 44 mm and 57 mm.
Why is my door handle drooping?
The internal spring may have worn out, or the screws are loose. Tighten the screws first, or replace the handle.
More guides
Last reviewed 17 October 2026. This guide is general information for UK homes and is not a substitute for the manufacturer's instructions. If the job involves gas, mains wiring, asbestos, structural work or working at height, or you are unsure, ask a suitably qualified person.