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REFERENCE GUIDE

ADA Door Hardware Requirements

How an accessible commercial door must open, close, and operate — explained on a real door, with the key specs at a glance.

Meeting the ADA door hardware requirements ensures that everyone can open, pass through, and close a door safely. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and ICC/ANSI A117.1 set the rules for opening force, closing speed, mounting height, and operable hardware. Here is what those rules look like on a real door.

Anatomy of an Accessible Door

FloorClosing speed: 5 secFrom 90° to 12° from latchOpening force: 5 lbf maxInterior doors (push/pull)Vision lite: 43 in maxLowest glazed edge above floorSmooth bottom: 10 inPush side, doors with closersHardware height: 34-48 inHandles, locks, latchesLever handleOperable, no grasping or twistingThreshold: ½ in maxBeveled if over ¼ in32 in minimum clear width

Key ADA Door Hardware Requirements

5 lbf
Opening force
Max push/pull, interior doors
5 sec
Closing speed
From 90° open to 12° from latch
34-48 in
Mounting height
Handles, locks, and latches
32 in
Clear width
Minimum, door open 90°
½ in
Threshold height
Max; beveled if over ¼ in
10 in
Smooth bottom
Push side, on doors with closers
43 in
Vision lite height
Max to lowest glazed edge, if provided

Understanding the ADA door hardware requirements helps you specify compliant openings the first time. First, door hardware such as handles, locks, and latches must be operable with one hand, without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. As a result, lever handles, push/pull hardware, and panic bars are compliant, while round knobs are not.

Second, interior doors must open with no more than 5 pounds of force, and door closers must be adjusted so the door takes at least 5 seconds to swing from 90 degrees to 12 degrees from the latch. In addition, operable hardware must be mounted between 34 and 48 inches above the floor, and thresholds may not exceed half an inch in height.

If a door, gate, or adjacent side light includes glazed vision panels meant for viewing, the bottom of at least one panel must sit no higher than 43 inches above the finished floor (§404.2.11). Vision lights with their lowest edge above 66 inches are treated as non-viewing and are exempt, and a factory vision lite kit keeps the glazing, frame, and any fire rating compliant.

Finally, the clear opening width must be at least 32 inches with the door open 90 degrees. Therefore, choosing the right closers, lever locksets, exit devices, and vision lite kits is essential to meeting these ADA door hardware requirements on every commercial project.

Compliant Hardware

Levers, push/pull, panic bars

Operable with one hand, no grasping or twisting.

Round knobs

Not compliant - require grasping and twisting.

Disclaimer: This is a general guide based on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and ICC/ANSI A117.1. Requirements vary by occupancy type and jurisdiction, and exterior door opening force is set by local code. Always confirm with your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), and refer to the official 2010 ADA Standards on ADA.gov for full requirements.

ADA-Ready Products

ADA Door Closers

Low-energy and adjustable closers for accessible openings.

Lever Locksets

ADA-friendly lever handles, no twisting required.

Exit Devices

Panic bars and touch bars for accessible egress.

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