How to understand lever and door handing
Here’s a quick guide that will show you how to determine the handing of your door to ensure you choose the right door hardware and lock for your home.
Have you ever purchased a new handleset or lever, only to find that the lever is upside down after installation? You likely purchased the wrong handing. Handing applies to handlesets that include an interior lever and any non-turning levers that feature a curve. For straight levers, (like the Schlage Latitude lever), handing does not apply. When shopping for Schlage door hardware, we note a product's handing by including LH (left-hand) or RH (right-hand) in the model number.
If you've installed a Schlage Hall & Closet (passage) or Bed & Bath (privacy) lever and the curve of the handle does not look right, the following videos will show you step-by-step how to remove and swap levers and cylinders so your hardware is pointing the correct way.
Video: How to switch the handing on a Schlage keyed entry lever (F51)
So what exactly is handing? Handing is a term used to indicate how a door swings. It's important to note that determining handing when ordering door locks is a bit different than how you determine door handing for carpentry (ordering and hanging doors). To do this, you'll need to stand on the outside of your door. Notice where the hinges are.
- If the hinges are on the left, you have a left handed door. You will need a left handed (LH) lock.
- If the hinges are on the right, you have a right handed door. You will need a right handed (RH) lock.

