Passage Knob Sets

A passage knob set is a non-locking door knob that always turns freely on both sides, designed for doors where privacy isn't needed, such as hallways, linen cupboards and living areas. It's also called a passage lock, referring to the internal mechanism rather than the knob itself, and it's the simplest of the three common residential door hardware types alongside privacy and entry sets.

How a passage lock mechanism works

Inside a passage set, the latch bolt retracts whenever either knob is turned, with no button, key or turn-lock to engage. This means the door can never be locked shut from either side, which is exactly the point. Hallway doors, walk-in robes and pantry doors get opened and closed constantly through the day, and a mechanism that occasionally jams in a locked position is a nuisance nobody wants on a door that isn't meant to secure anything.

Passage knobs versus privacy and entry sets

The three residential door set types share the same knob styles and finishes but differ entirely in their internal mechanism. A privacy set adds a push or turn button on the inside face that engages the latch, used on bathrooms and bedrooms where an occupant needs to lock the door temporarily. An entry set goes further again, with a keyed cylinder for external security. A passage lock has none of this, just a latch that retracts on demand, which is why it's specified for internal doors where the only function required is opening and closing.

Where passage knob sets are used

Passage sets are the right choice for hallway doors, walk-in wardrobes, linen presses, pantries, laundry doors that don't need privacy, and internal doors between living spaces. If a door separates two areas of the home but nobody ever needs to lock themselves in or out of that space, a passage knob is the correct spec rather than upgrading unnecessarily to a privacy or entry mechanism.

Knob styles and sizing

Passage knob sets in this range are supplied as a matching pair (one knob for each side of the door) with a spindle connecting them through the door and a latch that fits standard 60mm or 70mm backset door preps. Knob shapes range from classic round profiles to more contemporary oval and mushroom-style heads, so the passage set can be matched stylistically to entry and privacy hardware elsewhere in the same home for a consistent look room to room.

Finishes

This range is available in matte black, brushed nickel, satin chrome, polished chrome and brushed brass, matching the finish options used across our privacy and entry knob ranges. Choosing the same finish family throughout a renovation keeps hallway, bedroom and bathroom door hardware looking coordinated rather than mismatched.

Installation notes

Passage sets install using a standard door prep, typically a 54mm or 60mm crossbore hole with a 22mm to 25mm edge bore for the latch. Because there's no button or keyway to align, passage knobs are generally the simplest of the three set types to fit, making them a straightforward retrofit if you're replacing tired or mismatched hardware on internal doors throughout a home.

Frequently Asked Questions