Handing means which side the door hinges are on and which way the door opens. For handle-type smart locks it decides which way the handle points and which way the bolt turns. A wrong choice leaves you with a lock that works backwards or does not fit the faceplate.
A simple test
Stand on the outside of the door, the side from which a visitor would approach. If the hinges are on your left, the door is left-hand; if they are on the right, it is right-hand. Then note whether the door opens toward you (outward) or away from you (inward).
Why it matters for smart locks
- Handle direction: handle locks such as the B7 and T6S are used with the handle on the side opposite the hinges.
- Bolt direction: the latch bevel must face the closing direction of the door.
- Panel layout: some designs place the fingerprint sensor or keypad so that handing changes how the user reaches it.
Information to send with your order
- Handing seen from outside: left or right
- Opening direction: inward or outward
- Door thickness and faceplate size
- Photo of the existing lock body
- Door material (wood, metal, aluminium, glass)
Reversible or fixed?
Some locks are reversible on site and some need a different body or handle setting. Ask us before ordering whether the model you want can be switched, and whether the change needs a different lock body. See the lock body compatibility guide for what we check.
Handing for deadbolts and video locks
Deadbolts such as the D3 are usually not handed in the same way, but the position of the bolt relative to the jamb matters. For dual-screen video locks the cable path and the strike plate position depend on how the door closes.
Tips for distributors
- Add a handing field to your own order form.
- Ask installers to send a photo of the door from outside with the hinges visible.
- Keep a mix of left and right models if you sell to many different projects.
Before installation, also run through the installation checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell if a door is left-hand or right-hand?
Stand outside the door. If the hinges are on your left it is left-hand; on your right it is right-hand.
Can handing be changed after installation?
On some models yes, on others the body or handle direction must change. Ask us before ordering.
What should I send to confirm the match?
Send handing, opening direction, door thickness and photos of the door and existing lock body.
