How to Adjust Cabinet Hinges: A Simple Guide for Perfectly Aligned Doors

There's nothing more frustrating than cabinet doors that won't close properly or hang crookedly. Whether it's that one door that always sticks or a whole row that's gone wonky, learning how to adjust cabinet hinges is like having a secret superpower for home maintenance. The good news? It's much easier than you might think, and you only need one simple tool to get started.

What You'll Need

• A Phillips-head screwdriver with a #2 tip
• About 10-15 minutes of your time
• A bit of patience for fine-tuning

Important tip: Always use a manual screwdriver rather than a drill. The gentle touch prevents stripped screws and gives you better control over those tiny adjustments.

The Three Types of Hinge Adjustments

1. Vertical Adjustment (Up and Down)

This fixes doors that are sitting too high or too low. Look for the two vertical screws on the cabinet box hinge or the oval vertical slot on modern hinges. Gently loosen these screws (just a quarter turn), then with the door closed, gently push it to your desired position. Tighten the screws and check that the gap between the door and frame is even at the top and bottom.

2. Horizontal Adjustment (Side to Side)

This corrects doors that are too close to or far from the cabinet side. Find the horizontal screw closest to the front of the cabinet. On European-style hinges, there's usually a lateral adjustment screw on the hinge arm. Turning clockwise brings the door closer to the cabinet side, while counterclockwise moves it away. Make small quarter-turns and check the reveal gap after each adjustment.

3. Depth Adjustment (In and Out)

This solves doors that are binding against the cabinet frame or sitting too far out. Locate the depth adjustment screw positioned horizontally on the cabinet box hinge closest to the back. For European hinges, this is typically at the rear of the hinge arm. Make tiny adjustments (about 0.04 inches at a time), pulling the door toward you if it's binding. Retighten and test the door's operation after each minor adjustment.

Common Problems and Quick Fixes

• Sagging doors: Usually caused by loose mounting screws. Open the door and tighten the screws on the top and bottom of the hinge attached to the cabinet door.
• Misaligned doors: Look for uneven gaps and gently loosen the relevant adjustment screws. Push the door to its proper position and retighten.
• Binding or rubbing: Use depth adjustment to create proper clearance. Make small rotations (no more than half a turn) and test after each adjustment.
• Uneven reveal gaps: Combine vertical and horizontal adjustments. Adjust both top and bottom hinges by the same amount for consistency.

Pro Tips for Success

• Always make small, incremental adjustments - cabinet hinges are sensitive to minor changes
• Test the door operation after each adjustment before moving to the next one
• If working with European-style hinges, you may need to remove hinge covers or fully open the hinge to access adjustment screws
• For doors that tilt downward, focus on adjusting the top hinge's side-to-side screw

Final Takeaway

Adjusting cabinet hinges is one of those simple DIY skills that pays off every single day. With just a screwdriver and a bit of patience, you can transform frustrating, misaligned cabinet doors into smooth-operating, perfectly positioned fixtures. Remember: small adjustments make big differences, and taking your time will ensure professional-looking results that last.