Euro cylinder size: how to measure your lock before you replace it
A euro cylinder is the standard profile cylinder used in most Dutch and European door locks; its size is written as two measurements in millimetres, one for each half, taken from the centre fixing screw to each end of the cylinder.
You want to replace the cylinder in your front door, you look online and you see sizes like 30/30, 35/40 and 45/50. Which one is yours? A euro cylinder that is too long sticks out of the door and can be snapped off; one that is too short does not reach the fitting. Here is how to measure it properly, and when it is easier to leave that to us.
What a euro cylinder looks like
Open the door and look at the lock from the edge. The euro cylinder is the pear shaped metal profile that runs through the door. In the middle of its length sits a small threaded hole for the fixing screw. The two halves on either side of that hole are the measurements you need. On a door with a thumbturn inside, one half is the key side and the other the knob side.
Measuring in three steps
- Remove the fixing screw from the edge of the door, turn the key slightly and slide the cylinder out. If it will not move, the cam inside is not in the neutral position; turn the key a fraction further.
- Measure from the centre of the screw hole to the outside end, then from the centre of the screw hole to the inside end. Write the outside measurement first, for example 30/35.
- Measure the thickness of your door and the fittings on both sides. The cylinder should finish flush with the fitting or stick out by a few millimetres at most. Anything more than that gives a burglar something to grip.
Why a protruding cylinder is a problem
A euro cylinder that sticks out beyond the security plate is the weak point on many Amsterdam doors. It can be gripped with pliers and pulled or snapped, after which the door opens in seconds. If your current cylinder protrudes, replace it with a shorter one or fit a security plate that covers it. The lock security page shows the options.
When the size is not the only question
Older Amsterdam doors sometimes have a lock case that does not take a modern euro cylinder at all, or a multipoint lock with a special length. Doors with an outer security plate need a cylinder that lines up with that plate.
And if your key is worn or the cylinder turns stiffly, the same size will not fix the underlying problem. In those cases our technician measures on site and brings the right cylinder. See the lock replacement service for how we do that.
Let us measure it
If you would rather not take your lock apart, call Locksmith Amsterdam, describe your door and we bring a matching cylinder. You hear the price on the phone, we confirm it on site and the door is done in one visit. If the cylinder only needs adjusting, our lock repair service covers that too.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common euro cylinder size in the Netherlands?
Sizes around 30/30 to 35/35 are the most common on standard front doors, but every door is different. Measure yours rather than assuming.
Can I measure a euro cylinder without removing it?
You can estimate by measuring from the edge of the door to each face, but the only reliable way is to remove the fixing screw, slide the cylinder out and measure from the centre hole.
My cylinder sticks out of the door. Is that a problem?
Yes. A protruding cylinder can be gripped and snapped. Replace it with a shorter cylinder or fit a security plate that covers it.
Do I need the same size when I upgrade to a safer cylinder?
Usually yes, but a new security plate can change the required length. Our technician checks the combination on site before fitting anything.
Can Locksmith Amsterdam bring the right cylinder without me measuring?
Yes. Describe your door on the phone and we bring a matching cylinder. You hear the price before we start.
Not sure which euro cylinder fits your door? Call Locksmith Amsterdam on +31 (0)20 210 1986. We measure and replace it in one visit, with the price confirmed before we start.
