One of the most important aspects in searching for a new toilet is its size and dimensions. Keep reading to learn more about the features that impact standard toilet dimensions, how to measure a toilet, and how to use this information to ensure a smooth installation and bathroom layout.

Tip!

For a general overview of everything there is to know when buying a toilet, check out our Toilet Buying Guide.

In This Guide

Toilet Bowl Shapes
How to Measure a Toilet
Standard Toilet Dimensions

Toilet Bowl Shapes

Elongated: Pear-shaped in design, this bowl option offers additional comfort and is typically two to three inches longer than a round bowl.
Round: Circular in design, this bowl shape requires less room, making it an ideal choice when space is at a premium.

Seat Heights

Seat height is measured from the floor to the top of your toilet seat. When choosing a seat height, consider your height and physical needs. There are two types of seat heights: standard and chair.

Standard: Typically 15-17" off the ground, standard-height toilets are common in most households and are an ideal choice for homes with children.
Chair: Typically 17-19" off the ground, chair-height toilets offer additional comfort and are an ideal choice for those with restricted mobility.

How to Measure a Toilet

The most important step in buying a new toilet is making sure it fits. To find the right size toilet for your bathroom, grab a tape measure and jot down these important measurements.

Toilet Height

Measure from the floor to the top of your toilet seat. Then measure from the floor to the top of your toilet’s tank to make sure your new toilet can fit into the same space or under any an over-the-toilet storage racks that you do not want to get rid of.

Toilet Depth

Measure from the front of the toilet rim to the back of the toilet. We recommend having at least 24" of space in front of a toilet. This ensures you will still have plenty of room to move around in front of your toilet and that your bathroom or shower door will not hit it if the toilet is placed near the door.

Toilet Width

Measure from the left edge to the right edge of the toilet tank or seat (whichever is widest) to ensure that it fits in your space. There should be at least 30" of space for your toilet no matter where it is being placed in your bathroom.

Rough-In

The most important toilet dimension when buying a new toilet is the rough-in measurement, which is the distance between the center of the closet bolts and the wall behind the toilet. To do this, take a tape measure and measure from the back wall (not baseboard) to the center of one of the rear closet bolts. The standard toilet dimension for rough-ins is 12 inches, but in some instances it may be 10 or 14 inches.

Standard Toilet Dimensions

Standard toilet dimensions are typically between 28–30" deep, roughly 20" wide, between 27–32" high, and have a rough-in between 10–14". Now you can find the perfect toilet.

Tip!

Read our guides to learn more about the parts of a toilet, as well as how to install and how to fix a toilet.