In the US, most of us call anything on a door a "door knob." Ask for one at the hardware store and you might get a round knob, a lever or a pull. Here are all the types, in plain words, and which one each door in your home needs.
Quick Answer
What are the types of door knob handles?
There are four main shapes: the round knob, the lever, the pull handle and the flush pull. Front doors also use handlesets and keypad locks. For inside doors today, the lever is the most popular choice. It's easy to use and looks modern.
Most US inside doors take the same standard size, so you can swap one type for another without new holes.
Key Takeaways
What is a door knob handle?
A door knob handle is the part you grab to open a door. Strictly speaking, a knob is round and a lever is a bar. But most Americans use "door knob" for both. When people search for door knob handles, they usually mean any handle for an inside door.
Want the strict difference, and when each shape wins? Read Door Knob vs Lever Handle.
The 4 shapes of door knob handles
Type 01 · Shape
Round knob
A round door knob is a ball-shaped handle you twist to open the door. Round knobs have been on American doors for over a century. They suit older and traditional homes. They're harder to turn with wet or full hands.
Type 02 · Shape
Lever handle
A lever door handle is a horizontal bar you push down to open the door. Levers are now the top pick for new and remodeled US homes. Kids, older adults and anyone with full hands can open a lever easily. Levers come on three kinds of base:
- Round rose: a small round plate. Clean and modern.
- Square rose: a small square plate. Crisp and architectural.
- Long backplate: a tall plate, often with a keyhole. Common in Europe and in offices.
Type 03 · Shape
Pull handle
A pull handle is a fixed bar you pull to open the door. A pull handle doesn't turn and doesn't latch. You'll find pull handles on barn doors, sliding doors and some big front doors.
On a hinged closet door, a dummy lever does the same job and matches your other doors.
Type 04 · Shape
Flush pull
A flush pull is a small cup set into the face of a door. A flush pull sits flat, so the door can slide into the wall. Use flush pulls on pocket doors and sliding closet doors.
How door knob handles are fitted to the door
Shape is what you see. The fitting is the hardware inside the door that the handle attaches to. The fitting decides which door knob handles will fit when you replace one.
| Fitting | What it looks like | Where you'll find it | OKUN fits? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard bored latch | A 2 1/8" round hole through the door and a 1" hole in the edge, set 2 3/8" or 2 3/4" from the edge | Most US inside doors built since the 1950s | Yes |
| Mortise lock | A tall metal box hidden in the door edge, often with a keyhole | Older homes, some high-end doors | No |
| Handleset | A grip handle with a thumb latch, plus a deadbolt above | Front doors | No |
| Keypad or smart lock | Number pad or app control, usually with a lever | Front and garage doors | No |
| Fixed (dummy) | Screws onto the face of the door, no latch | Closets, pantries, double doors | Yes |
Not sure what you have? Look at the edge of the door. A small round plate means a standard latch. A tall, narrow plate means a mortise lock.
Shape is what you see. The fitting inside the door decides what you can swap in.
Which door knob handle goes on which door?
Use this as a quick finder. The "type of lock" column is called the function. Passage vs Privacy vs Dummy explains each one.
| Door | Best shape | Type of lock |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | Lever | Privacy (push-button lock) |
| Bathroom | Lever | Privacy (push-button lock) |
| Hallway, living room, office | Lever | Passage (no lock) |
| Closet with a hinged door | Lever | Passage, or dummy if it doesn't latch |
| Double closet or French doors | Lever | Dummy pair, or passage + dummy |
| Pantry or laundry | Lever | Passage |
| Pocket or sliding door | Flush pull | None |
| Front door | Handleset or keypad | Keyed lock and deadbolt |
Top door knob handles from OKUN
These are our six best sellers. Every one is a lever on a 2 5/8" rose, made of solid brass. Every one comes as passage, privacy or dummy, in matte black, brushed nickel, chrome or brushed champagne gold.
StarkStraight round lever, round rosePassage $49.99 · 4 finishes
QuadraSquare lever, square rosePassage $49.99 · 4 finishes
HaloLong tapered lever, round rosePassage $49.99 · 4 finishes
ArcRounded lever, round rosePassage $49.99 · 4 finishes
BrioClean cylinder lever, round rosePassage $49.99 · 4 finishes
ZenSlim cylinder lever, round rosePassage $49.99 · 4 finishes
Prices: passage $49.99, privacy $59.99, dummy $29.99, the same in every finish.
Which door knob handle is easiest to use?
The lever handle is the easiest type to use. You just push down, with a hand, an elbow or a wrist. That's why levers are used for aging in place. A round knob needs a firm grip and a twist.
Can you swap one type for another?
Usually, yes. Most US inside doors use the same standard holes, so a lever handle can replace a round knob in about 15 minutes. Check two numbers first: the backset and the door thickness. Will This Door Handle Fit My Door? shows you how.
Premium Door Handles for Less
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Twelve lever collections, four finishes, one standard fit. Solid brass, hidden screws, from $29.99, with free 3–5 day delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What are the different types of door handles?
The four main shapes are the round knob, the lever, the pull handle and the flush pull. Front doors also use handlesets and keypad or smart locks. Inside doors most often use levers.
What is the most common door handle in the US?
Both are common. Levers are the popular pick in new and remodeled homes. Round knobs are still found in many older homes.
What type of door handle is best for interior doors?
A lever handle is the best fit for most interior doors. Levers are easy to open, look modern and fit standard US doors.
What door handle goes on a bathroom or bedroom door?
Bathroom and bedroom doors need a privacy lever. A privacy lever has a push-button lock on the inside and an emergency release on the outside.
What door handle goes on a closet door?
A closet door needs a passage lever if the door latches, or a dummy lever if it doesn't. Double closet doors often use a dummy pair.
What is a handleset?
A handleset is a front-door set. It has a long grip handle with a thumb latch and usually a deadbolt above it.
What is a mortise door handle?
A mortise door handle works with a mortise lock, a tall metal box set into the door edge. Mortise handles are common in older homes. They need a different fitting than standard US door handles.
What is a flush pull?
A flush pull is a small cup set into a door so it sits flat. It's used on pocket doors and sliding closet doors.
Keep Reading
- Door Knob vs Lever Handle — when each shape wins
- Passage vs Privacy vs Dummy — which lock goes where
- The Most Popular Door Hardware Styles — match a style to your home
- What Makes OKUN Door Knobs Different — what's inside ours
Sources: Level — Types of door knobs · Airtasker — Types of door knobs · Wikipedia — Door handle · OKUN — Door handles, best sellers and prices
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