How to Measure for a Toilet: A Step-by-Step Guide

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How to Measure for a Toilet

A new toilet can be a great way to improve the look and function of your bathroom. But before you can start shopping, you need to make sure you measure your bathroom to ensure that the new toilet will fit.

In this article, we will walk you through the process of measuring for a toilet. We will cover everything you need to know, from the different types of toilets to the measurements you need to take. By the end of this article, you will be able to confidently choose the perfect toilet for your bathroom.

Measurement How to Measure What it’s for
Toilet Bowl Depth Measure from the back of the toilet bowl to the front of the toilet seat. To ensure that the toilet will fit in the space you have available.
Toilet Bowl Height Measure from the floor to the top of the toilet seat. To ensure that the toilet is comfortable to use for people of all heights.
Toilet Bowl Width Measure from the inside of one side of the toilet bowl to the inside of the other side. To ensure that the toilet will fit in the space you have available.
Toilet Tank Height Measure from the floor to the top of the toilet tank. To ensure that the toilet will fit in the space you have available.

How To Measure For A Toilet?

Measuring the Toilet Bowl

The bowl is the main part of the toilet that you sit on. To measure the bowl, you will need to know the following dimensions:

  • Width: The width of the bowl is the distance from the front to the back of the bowl.
  • Depth: The depth of the bowl is the distance from the front of the bowl to the back of the toilet seat.
  • Height: The height of the bowl is the distance from the floor to the top of the bowl.

To measure the width of the bowl, use a tape measure and measure from the front of the bowl to the back of the bowl. To measure the depth of the bowl, use a tape measure and measure from the front of the bowl to the back of the toilet seat. To measure the height of the bowl, use a tape measure and measure from the floor to the top of the bowl.

Measuring the Toilet Tank

The tank is the part of the toilet that holds the water. To measure the tank, you will need to know the following dimensions:

  • Width: The width of the tank is the distance from the left side of the tank to the right side of the tank.
  • Depth: The depth of the tank is the distance from the front of the tank to the back of the tank.
  • Height: The height of the tank is the distance from the floor to the top of the tank.

To measure the width of the tank, use a tape measure and measure from the left side of the tank to the right side of the tank. To measure the depth of the tank, use a tape measure and measure from the front of the tank to the back of the tank. To measure the height of the tank, use a tape measure and measure from the floor to the top of the tank.

Measuring the Toilet Seat

The toilet seat is the part of the toilet that you sit on. To measure the toilet seat, you will need to know the following dimensions:

  • Width: The width of the toilet seat is the distance from the front of the seat to the back of the seat.
  • Depth: The depth of the toilet seat is the distance from the front of the seat to the back of the seat.
  • Height: The height of the toilet seat is the distance from the floor to the top of the seat.

To measure the width of the toilet seat, use a tape measure and measure from the front of the seat to the back of the seat. To measure the depth of the toilet seat, use a tape measure and measure from the front of the seat to the back of the seat. To measure the height of the toilet seat, use a tape measure and measure from the floor to the top of the seat.

Measuring the Toilet Rough-In

The toilet rough-in is the distance from the back of the toilet to the wall. This measurement is important because it determines the type of toilet that you can install.

To measure the toilet rough-in, use a tape measure and measure from the back of the toilet to the wall. The standard toilet rough-in is 12 inches, but some toilets have a different rough-in.

If you are not sure what the toilet rough-in is, you can ask a plumber or check the manufacturer’s specifications.

Measuring for a toilet is not difficult, but it is important to get the measurements correct. If you are not sure how to measure for a toilet, you can ask a plumber or a home improvement store for help.

Once you have the measurements, you can use them to choose the right toilet for your bathroom.

Measuring the Toilet Bowl

The toilet bowl is the part of the toilet that you sit on. To measure the toilet bowl, you will need to do the following:

1. Find the center of the toilet bowl. The center of the toilet bowl is the point halfway between the front and back of the bowl. You can find the center of the bowl by measuring the distance from the front of the bowl to the back of the bowl and dividing that number in half.
2. Measure the width of the toilet bowl. The width of the toilet bowl is the distance from one side of the bowl to the other. You can measure the width of the bowl by placing a ruler or tape measure across the bowl from one side to the other.
3. Measure the depth of the toilet bowl. The depth of the toilet bowl is the distance from the top of the bowl to the bottom of the bowl. You can measure the depth of the bowl by placing a ruler or tape measure down the center of the bowl from the top to the bottom.

Here is an example of how to measure a toilet bowl:

Image of a toilet bowl with measurements

In this example, the center of the toilet bowl is marked with a “X”. The width of the bowl is 18 inches, and the depth of the bowl is 14 inches.

Measuring the Toilet Tank

The toilet tank is the part of the toilet that holds the water. To measure the toilet tank, you will need to do the following:

1. Find the center of the toilet tank. The center of the toilet tank is the point halfway between the front and back of the tank. You can find the center of the tank by measuring the distance from the front of the tank to the back of the tank and dividing that number in half.
2. Measure the width of the toilet tank. The width of the toilet tank is the distance from one side of the tank to the other. You can measure the width of the tank by placing a ruler or tape measure across the tank from one side to the other.
3. Measure the height of the toilet tank. The height of the toilet tank is the distance from the top of the tank to the bottom of the tank. You can measure the height of the tank by placing a ruler or tape measure down the center of the tank from the top to the bottom.

Here is an example of how to measure a toilet tank:

Image of a toilet tank with measurements

In this example, the center of the toilet tank is marked with a “X”. The width of the tank is 16 inches, and the height of the tank is 14 inches.

Measuring the Toilet Rough-In

The rough-in is the distance from the wall to the center of the drain pipe. To measure the rough-in, you will need to do the following:

1. Find the center of the drain pipe. The center of the drain pipe is the point halfway between the front and back of the pipe. You can find the center of the pipe by measuring the distance from the front of the pipe to the back of the pipe and dividing that number in half.
2. Measure the distance from the wall to the center of the drain pipe. To do this, you will need to measure from the wall to the center of the drain pipe.

Here is an example of how to measure the rough-in:

Image of a toilet with measurements

In this example, the rough-in is 12 inches.

Choosing the Right Toilet

Once you have measured your toilet space, you can start to choose the right toilet for your needs. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a toilet:

  • Size: The size of the toilet will depend on the amount of space you have available. If you have a small bathroom, you will need to choose a smaller toilet. If you have a large bathroom, you will have more options.
  • Features: There are many different features available on toilets, such as a heated seat, a bidet, or a self-cleaning function. Consider your needs and budget when choosing a toilet with the features you want.
  • Price: The price of a toilet can vary significantly, so it is

    How do I measure for a toilet?

To measure for a toilet, you will need to know the following:

  • The rough-in distance (the distance from the wall to the center of the drain pipe)
  • The toilet bowl width
  • The toilet bowl depth
  • The toilet seat height

To find the rough-in distance, measure from the wall to the center of the drain pipe. This measurement should be between 10 and 14 inches.

To measure the toilet bowl width, measure the distance across the front of the toilet bowl. This measurement should be between 17 and 30 inches.

To measure the toilet bowl depth, measure the distance from the front of the toilet bowl to the back of the toilet bowl. This measurement should be between 14 and 20 inches.

To measure the toilet seat height, measure from the floor to the top of the toilet seat. This measurement should be between 15 and 19 inches.

Once you have these measurements, you can compare them to the dimensions of different toilets to find one that will fit in your bathroom.

What if my bathroom doesn’t have the right rough-in distance?

If your bathroom doesn’t have the right rough-in distance, you can either:

  • Move the toilet drain pipe to the correct location.
  • Use a toilet with a shorter or longer rough-in distance.

Moving the toilet drain pipe is a major plumbing project that should only be attempted by a qualified plumber. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, you can hire a plumber to do it for you.

Using a toilet with a shorter or longer rough-in distance is a simpler solution that can be done by anyone. However, you will need to make sure that the toilet you choose is compatible with the rough-in distance in your bathroom.

What if my toilet is too close to the wall?

If your toilet is too close to the wall, you may have difficulty sitting on it comfortably. You may also have trouble cleaning the toilet bowl.

To fix this problem, you can either:

  • Move the toilet away from the wall.
  • Install a toilet extension kit.

Moving the toilet away from the wall is a major plumbing project that should only be attempted by a qualified plumber. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, you can hire a plumber to do it for you.

Installing a toilet extension kit is a simpler solution that can be done by anyone. However, you will need to make sure that the extension kit is compatible with your toilet.

What if my toilet is too far from the wall?

If your toilet is too far from the wall, you may have difficulty reaching the toilet seat. You may also have trouble cleaning the toilet bowl.

To fix this problem, you can either:

  • Move the toilet closer to the wall.
  • Install a toilet riser.

Moving the toilet closer to the wall is a major plumbing project that should only be attempted by a qualified plumber. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, you can hire a plumber to do it for you.

Installing a toilet riser is a simpler solution that can be done by anyone. However, you will need to make sure that the riser is compatible with your toilet.

In this article, we have discussed how to measure for a toilet. We have covered the different types of toilets, the measurements you need to take, and how to install a toilet. We hope this information has been helpful and that you are now able to measure for and install a toilet with confidence.

Here are some key takeaways:

  • There are two main types of toilets: one-piece and two-piece.
  • The most important measurements you need to take are the rough-in, the toilet bowl width, and the toilet bowl depth.
  • The rough-in is the distance from the back of the toilet to the wall.
  • The toilet bowl width is the distance from the front of the toilet to the back of the toilet.
  • The toilet bowl depth is the distance from the top of the toilet to the bottom of the toilet.

By following these steps, you can easily measure for and install a toilet in your home.

Author Profile

Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell is the owner of toiletty.com. She is a mom of two and is very passionate about home improvement.

Liana has ten years of home improvement experience, and in her own words, she said: “I love improving the home, and I’m very passionate about keeping the home in the best possible condition. I love it!”

Liana Farrell balances beauty and functionality when she goes about her home improvement jobs.