How to Tell if a Restroom Stall Door Is Inswing or Outswing
How to Tell if a Restroom Stall Door Is Inswing or Outswing
Choosing the correct commercial restroom partition hardware often starts with one simple question:
Does your stall door swing in or swing out?
Knowing the difference between an inswing and outswing restroom stall door is important when ordering replacement latches, keepers, strikes, Fix-It Kits, door pulls and other partition hardware.
Fortunately, identifying your door swing only takes a few seconds.
What Is an Inswing Restroom Stall Door?
An inswing door opens into the restroom stall.
Stand outside the stall and face the door.
If you push the door away from you and into the stall to open it, you have an:
INSWING DOOR
Easy way to remember:
INswing = the door swings INto the stall.
What Is an Outswing Restroom Stall Door?
An outswing door opens out of the stall and toward the restroom aisle or common area.
Stand outside the stall and face the door.
If you pull the door toward you to open it, you have an:
OUTSWING DOOR
Easy way to remember:
OUTswing = the door swings OUT of the stall.
The 5-Second Test
Stand outside the restroom stall with the door closed.
Do you push the door into the stall?
→ INSWING
Do you pull the door toward you?
→ OUTSWING
That's it.
Why Door Swing Matters When Ordering Replacement Hardware
Inswing and outswing doors may require different hardware.
At TPH Supply, the door swing can affect which:
- Stop and keeper you need
- Strike you need
- Fix-It Kit you need
- Door pull or latch configuration you need
- Privacy solution is installed and where it is mounted
For example, TPH Supply sells separate inswing and outswing Fix-It Kits, and several of our surface-mounted latches require customers to select the appropriate stop and keeper for the door swing.
Inswing vs. Outswing at a Glance
| INSWING | OUTSWING | |
|---|---|---|
| Door opens | Into the stall | Toward the restroom aisle |
| Standing outside | Push to open | Pull to open |
| Hardware | Select inswing-compatible hardware | Select outswing-compatible hardware |
| Fix-It Kits | Choose an inswing kit | Choose an outswing kit |
Replacing a Broken Stall Door Latch?
Before ordering a replacement latch, look at:
1. Door swing
Inswing or outswing?
2. Door edge
Round edge or square edge?
3. Door thickness
Measure the thickness of the stall door.
4. Existing mounting holes
Measure the distance between screw holes, center-to-center.
5. Partition manufacturer
If known, look for a manufacturer name or identifying label.
These details can make it much easier to find the correct replacement.
Your Fix-It Kit descriptions, for example, distinguish not only between inswing and outswing doors but also between door profiles such as round-edge and square-edge doors.
Still Not Sure?
Send Us a Photo — We'll Help Identify Your Part.
You don't have to know the manufacturer or part number.
Send us photos of:
- The inside of the stall door
- The outside of the stall door
- The broken or missing latch
- Existing screw holes
- The door edge
- The pilaster or keeper area
Even if the hardware is broken, damaged or completely missing, those details can help us determine what replacement options may work.
SEND US A PHOTO
CALL TPH SUPPLY
650-438-6683
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the same latch be used on an inswing and outswing door?
Sometimes the latch itself can be used with either configuration, but the stop, keeper or strike can differ based on door swing. Several TPH Supply latch listings specifically instruct customers to purchase the correct stop and keeper for either an inswing or outswing door.
What if my concealed latch is broken and I can't identify it?
A Fix-It Kit may be an option. TPH Supply offers kits designed to convert broken or missing concealed latch systems to surface-mounted slide latch operation, with separate options for inswing and outswing doors.
Does door swing matter for restroom privacy strips?
Yes. TPH Supply's Privacy Cover Kit instructions state that the strips mount on the outside of inswing doors and the inside of outswing doors.
What if I still can't tell which door swing I have?
Take a photo or short video showing the stall door opening and send it to customerservice@tphsupply.com. We can help you determine the correct hardware.