A cranked hinge is a hinge whose leaf (or arm) is offset rather than straight. That offset—often called the crank or bend—shifts the door sideways relative to the hinge pin and mounting surface. The purpose is to control where the door sits when closed and how it clears the frame when opening.
Cranked Hinges are common on cabinet doors, furniture, access panels, and metal enclosures where precise alignment and clearance are required.
Unlike a straight hinge, a cranked hinge has one or more bends that move the door leaf inboard or outboard. This geometry determines:
Overlay: how much the door covers the cabinet face or frame
Reveal: the visible gap around the door
Clearance: how the door avoids rubbing the frame during opening
By selecting a specific crank depth, installers can place the door exactly where it needs to be.
Despite the offset, the door still rotates around the hinge pin. The crank does not change the axis of rotation; it changes the starting position of the door relative to that axis.
The offset pulls or pushes the door into the correct closed alignment
The door can sit flush, half overlay, or full overlay, depending on the crank
Even gaps and consistent reveals are achieved without shims
As the door opens, the offset ensures the door clears the frame edge
The door swings without binding, scraping, or catching
This is especially important for thick doors or tight openings
The door reaches its designed opening angle
The crank prevents interference with adjacent panels or hardware
Load remains centered through the hinge pin and knuckles
No offset
Door sits in line with the hinge mounting surface
Used when minimal positional change is needed
Moderate offset
Door partially overlays the frame
Common for paired cabinet doors sharing a center divider
Large offset
Door fully overlays the cabinet face or frame
Often used for frameless cabinets or full-overlay designs
The amount of crank directly correlates with how far the door is shifted.
Cranked hinges allow exact control of door position without altering the cabinet or frame. This is critical where visual alignment and consistent gaps matter.
In narrow openings or with thick doors, a straight hinge can cause rubbing. The crank moves the door clear of obstructions during rotation.
By positioning the door correctly, cranked hinges help distribute load evenly across the hinge, reducing long-term wear and sagging.
Using the wrong crank depth can cause:
Excessive overlay or insufficient coverage
Uneven gaps
Interference during opening
Crank selection should match door thickness, frame style, and desired overlay.
Because cranked hinges are geometry-driven:
Hole placement must be accurate
Hinge leaves must sit flat
Pin alignment must remain true
Precision manufacturing helps ensure predictable results during installation.
They do not. The pivot remains the hinge pin. The crank only repositions the door relative to that pivot.
Different crank depths serve different layouts. A half-crank cannot replace a full-crank without changing door position.
Cranked hinges use offset geometry to reposition doors
The offset controls overlay, reveal, and clearance
Rotation still occurs around a standard hinge pin
Different crank depths serve different door layouts
Proper selection prevents rubbing, misalignment, and wear
Cranked hinges work by introducing a deliberate offset between the hinge pin and the mounting surfaces, allowing precise control over door position and movement. This offset ensures correct overlay, consistent gaps, and smooth clearance during opening, all while maintaining a standard rotational axis. When properly selected and installed, cranked hinges provide reliable alignment, improved usability, and long-term durability in cabinet, furniture, and enclosure applications.
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