Cranked hinges are hinges with an offset (a “crank”) in the hinge leaf or arm. That offset shifts the pivot point so the door or panel sits in a different plane relative to the frame. In practice, the crank controls overlay, clearance, and how far the door opens.

They’re commonly used on cabinet doors, flush-fitting panels, and situations where a straight hinge would cause rubbing or poor alignment.

The Core Idea (In Simple Terms)

• A straight hinge pivots in line with the mounting surfaces.

• A cranked hinge bends outward or inward before the pivot.

• That bend moves the door sideways as it opens and closes.

This lets designers:

• Make a door sit flush with a frame, or

• Create a full overlay (door covers the frame), or

• Allow the door to clear a thick frame without binding.

What the “Crank” Actually Does

The crank changes three things at once:

1. Overlay – how much of the frame the door covers

2. Setback – how far the door sits from the cabinet or frame face

3. Swing path – the arc the door follows as it opens

Because the pivot is offset, the door moves out and away from the frame before swinging, improving clearance.

Common Types of Cranked Hinges (Cabinet Context)

1. Full-Crank (Full Overlay)

• Door fully covers the cabinet side

• Strong offset pushes the door outward

• Common in modern frameless cabinets

2. Half-Crank (Half Overlay)

• Two doors share a central partition

• Each door covers half of the partition

• Moderate offset

3. Straight Arm (Inset / No Overlay)

• Minimal or no crank

• Door sits inside the cabinet opening

These three options let the same cabinet box accept different door layouts.

How a Cranked Hinge Opens (Step-by-Step)

1. Door starts closed, offset from the frame by the crank

2. As you open it, the hinge pulls the door outward first

3. Once clear, the door rotates normally

4. On closing, the process reverses, pulling the door back into position

This controlled movement prevents edge collision and scraping.

Where Cranked Hinges Are Commonly Used

• Kitchen and bathroom cabinets

• Furniture doors with face frames

• Flush or inset doors needing clearance

• Retrofits where door position must change without rebuilding the frame

They’re far less common on heavy room doors, where butt or Pivot Hinges are used instead.

Advantages of Cranked Hinges

• Precise control over door position

• Better clearance for thick frames or overlays

• Cleaner visual alignment

• Often compatible with 3-way adjustment (on modern concealed versions)

Limitations to Be Aware Of

• Must match the correct overlay type

• Wrong crank = door won’t sit correctly

• Not interchangeable with straight hinges without planning

• Load capacity is lower than heavy Door Hinges

Quick Comparison

Summary

Cranked hinges work by using an offset pivot to reposition a door as it opens and closes. That offset controls overlay, clearance, and swing path, making cranked hinges ideal for cabinets and furniture where door alignment is critical.