22mm vs 30mm Push Buttons: Which Size Do You Need?
The two most common panel cutout sizes for industrial push buttons. Here's how to tell which one you have and when to use each.
The short answer
If you don't know, it's probably 22mm. About 90% of industrial push buttons worldwide use a 22mm (or 22.5mm) panel cutout. The 30mm size is used for heavy-duty applications or older North American installations.
How to measure
Measure the hole in the panel, not the button face. The button face (bezel) is always larger than the cutout. Use calipers if you have them — the difference between 22mm and 22.5mm matters for some manufacturers but not others.
- 22mm / 22.5mm — Standard worldwide. All major manufacturers (Schneider, Eaton, ABB, Siemens, Omron, IDEC) make this size.
- 30mm / 30.5mm — Heavy-duty. Schneider Harmony XB5, older Allen-Bradley 800T series. Larger buttons are easier to hit with gloves.
- 16mm — Compact. Used in space-constrained panels, electronics enclosures, and light-duty applications.
Cross-brand compatibility
All 22mm buttons from all manufacturers fit the same panel cutout. A Schneider ZB4-BA3 fits the exact same hole as an Eaton M22-D-G or ABB MP1-10G. This is the whole point of standardization — you can cross-reference and substitute across brands without re-drilling your panel.
The 30mm size is similarly standardized but has fewer manufacturers and a smaller product range.
When to use 30mm
- Gloved operation — mining, cold storage, heavy industry where operators wear thick gloves
- Emergency stops — some safety standards prefer larger mounting for e-stop mushroom heads
- Replacing existing 30mm — if the panel already has 30mm cutouts, use 30mm buttons (adapter rings exist but add bulk)
- Visibility at distance — larger buttons are easier to see and hit from a distance on large machine frames
When to use 22mm (most cases)
- New panel builds — 22mm is the global default, widest product selection, lowest cost
- Space-constrained panels — smaller footprint means more buttons per panel area
- Cross-reference flexibility — every manufacturer makes 22mm, giving you maximum choice for replacements
- Modern machinery — almost all machinery built after 2000 uses 22mm