How do I determine the hand of a door?

A  LHR (left hand reverse) door uses a RH (right hand) door closer.

A RHR (right hand reverse) door uses a LH (left hand) door closer.

A door can be handed in several ways. The easiest way is to stand on the Push side of the door.

1. Push the door away from you as if you are going to walk thru the opening. If the hinges are on your right, it is a RH door. If the hinges are on the left, it is a LH door.
2. If you are on the pull side (hinge side) of the door, and the hinges are on your right, it is a LH door. If the hinges are on the left, it is a RH door

To determine the hand of a door, view the door from the outside, security side or key side of door. 

Once there identify which side are the hinges located on the, right or left side of the opening. then identify:

1. If the door swings away from the viewer, (push the door open) it is considered a straight hand door. Left Hand (LH) or Right hand (RH), which ever side the hinges are on.
2. If the door swings to the viewer, (pull the door open) then it is considered a reverse swing door. Hinges on the left, it is a Left Hand Reverse (LHR), hinges on the right, it is a Right Hand Reverse (RHR)

1. Go to the push side of the door opening.  See above illustration.
2. If door swings out to the left, it needs a left hand door closer.
3. If door swings out to the right, it needs a right hand door closer.