You can replace an exterior door handle yourself with basic tools in about 30 minutes

An exterior door handle that is loose, broken, or corroded can be swapped out without calling a locksmith or carpenter. The job requires a screwdriver, possibly an Allen wrench, and the replacement handle itself—which you can buy at any hardware store for $15 to $60 depending on material and finish. The handle bolts to the door from the inside, so you work from within your home, and the whole process takes less time than a trip to the store.

The one thing to confirm before you start: whether your door has a keyed handle (the lock is built into the handle) or a separate deadbolt (the lock is a different mechanism above or below the handle). If the lock is in the handle itself, you will need a replacement handle that matches your key—or you will need to rekey it. If the lock is separate, you can use any handle you want.

Key Takeaways

  • Exterior door handles bolt on from the inside of the door, so you remove two screws and slide the old handle out, then slide the new one in and tighten the screws.
  • If your handle has a keyed lock built into it, buy a replacement handle that comes with the same keyway, or plan to have a locksmith rekey the new one.
  • Measure the distance between the two bolt holes on your old handle before you buy a new one, because handles come in different spacing widths.
  • If the bolts are stuck, spray them with penetrating oil and wait 10 minutes rather than forcing them, which can strip the screw head.
  • Test the new handle from both sides of the door before you close it, to make sure it latches and the lock works if you have a keyed handle.

Measure the bolt hole spacing on your current handle

Door handles come in two standard bolt spacings: 2⅜ inches and 2¾ inches, measured from the center of one bolt hole to the center of the other. If you buy a handle with the wrong spacing, the bolt holes will not line up with the holes already drilled in your door, and you will have to drill new holes or return the handle.

Look at the inside of your door where the handle bolts are. Use a tape measure or ruler to measure straight across from the center of one bolt to the center of the other. Write this number down and bring it with you when you shop, or take a photo of the measurement. If you cannot measure clearly, remove the old handle first (see the next section) and measure the bolt holes themselves.

Remove the two bolts holding the old handle in place

Open your door and look at the inside edge where the handle attaches. You will see two bolts—usually Phillips head screws, sometimes Allen head bolts—running through the door from the outside handle to the inside. These are what hold the handle on.

Use the correct screwdriver or Allen wrench to loosen both bolts. Turn counterclockwise until they come free. If a bolt is stuck or corroded, spray it with penetrating oil (like WD-40) and wait 10 minutes before trying again. Do not force it—forcing a stuck bolt can strip the screw head and make removal much harder. Once both bolts are out, set them aside in a safe place; you may reuse them with the new handle, or the new handle may come with its own bolts.

With both bolts removed, the handle will slide out from the outside of the door. You may need to wiggle it slightly or pull the outside handle toward you. Once it is free, the latch mechanism (the part that sticks out and catches the strike plate) will still be in the door—that stays put unless you are replacing the entire latch assembly, which is a separate job.

Check the latch mechanism and clean the bolt holes

Before you install the new handle, look at the latch—the metal piece sticking out from the edge of the door. It should move smoothly when you push it in and spring back out. If it is stuck or damaged, the new handle will not work properly, and you may need to replace the latch itself (a more involved repair). If the latch moves freely, you are ready to proceed.

Wipe out the bolt holes and the area around them with a dry cloth to remove any dirt, rust, or debris. If there is rust buildup inside the holes, use a wire brush or an old toothbrush to scrub it away. This helps the new bolts seat properly and prevents corrosion of the new hardware.

Slide the new handle into place and tighten the bolts

Take your new handle and align the bolt holes on the inside piece with the holes in the door. Slide the handle toward the outside of the door until the outside handle is flush against the door face. The two bolt holes should line up perfectly; if they do not, stop and check that you have the correct bolt spacing.

Insert the bolts through the holes and tighten them by hand first, turning clockwise. Once both are hand-tight, use your screwdriver or Allen wrench to tighten them fully. Do not over-tighten—you want them snug enough that the handle does not move or rattle, but not so tight that you strip the bolt or crack the door. A good rule is to tighten until you feel resistance, then give it one more quarter turn.

Test the handle and lock from both sides

Open and close the door several times and work the handle from both the inside and outside. It should move smoothly and the latch should catch the strike plate without sticking. If you have a keyed handle, test the lock by turning the key from the outside and checking that the bolt retracts and extends properly.

If the handle feels loose or rattles, the bolts may need another quarter turn. If the handle is hard to move or the lock does not turn smoothly, check that the bolts are not over-tightened, which can bind the mechanism. Once everything works, you are done.

When to call a professional instead

If the bolt holes in your door do not match any standard handle spacing, the door may have been custom-drilled or damaged. A carpenter or door specialist can drill new holes or fill and re-drill the old ones.

If your old handle is keyed and you want the new one to work with the same key, a locksmith can rekey the new handle to match your existing key. This costs $15 to $40 and takes about 15 minutes. Alternatively, some hardware stores sell keyed handles that come with a matching key, though your key will be different from your old one.

If the latch mechanism is broken, stuck, or damaged, replacing just the handle will not fix the problem. The latch assembly is a separate part that requires removing the strike plate and sometimes drilling. This is worth having a professional handle if you are not comfortable with the extra steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace the handle without removing the old one completely?

No. The bolts run all the way through the door, so you must remove both bolts and slide the old handle out before the new one can go in. The process takes only a few minutes once you have the right tools.

What if the bolts are stripped and will not tighten?

If the bolt spins but does not tighten, the hole in the door may be stripped. You can try using a slightly larger bolt, or you can fill the hole with epoxy wood filler, let it dry, and re-drill a new hole in the same spot. A carpenter can do this quickly if you prefer not to.

Do I need to replace the strike plate when I replace the handle?

No. The strike plate is the metal bracket on the door frame that the latch catches. It stays in place unless it is damaged or the latch no longer aligns with it. If the new handle latches smoothly, the strike plate is fine.

What if my new handle comes with different bolts than my old one?

Use the bolts that come with the new handle. They are sized to work with that handle's mechanism. If the new handle did not come with bolts, you can reuse your old ones as long as they are not damaged or corroded.

Can I install a handle with a different finish than my old one?

Yes. Handles come in many finishes—stainless steel, bronze, brass, matte black, and others. The finish does not affect how the handle works, only how it looks. Choose whatever matches your door and home style.