How to Measure for a New Toilet (The Ultimate Guide)

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How to Measure for a New Toilet

A new toilet can be a great way to improve the look and function of your bathroom. But before you can start shopping for a new toilet, you need to know how to measure for one.

This guide will walk you through the process of measuring for a new toilet, from start to finish. We’ll cover everything you need to know, including:

  • What measurements you need to take
  • How to take those measurements
  • What to do if your measurements don’t match any standard toilet sizes

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to confidently measure for a new toilet and find the perfect one for your bathroom.

What Measurements Do You Need to Take?

To measure for a new toilet, you’ll need to take the following measurements:

  • The rough-in distance
  • The toilet bowl width
  • The toilet bowl depth
  • The toilet seat height

The rough-in distance is the measurement from the back of the toilet to the center of the drainpipe. This measurement is typically 12 inches, but it can vary depending on the toilet model.

The toilet bowl width is the measurement from the front of the toilet bowl to the back. This measurement is typically 18 inches, but it can vary depending on the toilet model.

The toilet bowl depth is the measurement from the front of the toilet bowl to the back of the toilet seat. This measurement is typically 14 inches, but it can vary depending on the toilet model.

The toilet seat height is the measurement from the floor to the top of the toilet seat. This measurement is typically 15 inches, but it can vary depending on the toilet model.

How to Take Those Measurements

To take the rough-in distance measurement, you’ll need to locate the drainpipe behind the toilet. The drainpipe is typically located in the center of the wall, but it may be located off-center in some cases.

Once you’ve located the drainpipe, measure from the back of the toilet to the center of the drainpipe. This measurement is the rough-in distance.

To take the toilet bowl width measurement, you’ll need to measure the distance from the front of the toilet bowl to the back. To do this, place a ruler or measuring tape on the front of the toilet bowl and extend it to the back.

To take the toilet bowl depth measurement, you’ll need to measure the distance from the front of the toilet bowl to the back of the toilet seat. To do this, place a ruler or measuring tape on the front of the toilet bowl and extend it to the back of the toilet seat.

To take the toilet seat height measurement, you’ll need to measure from the floor to the top of the toilet seat. To do this, place a ruler or measuring tape on the floor and extend it to the top of the toilet seat.

What to Do If Your Measurements Don’t Match Any Standard Toilet Sizes

If your measurements don’t match any standard toilet sizes, you’ll need to find a toilet that is specifically designed for your bathroom. You can find these toilets at most home improvement stores.

When shopping for a toilet that is specifically designed for your bathroom, be sure to take the following into account:

  • The rough-in distance
  • The toilet bowl width
  • The toilet bowl depth
  • The toilet seat height

By taking these factors into account, you can find a toilet that will fit perfectly in your bathroom and provide you with years of reliable service.

Measurement What You Need How to Measure
Toilet Bowl Height A tape measure Measure from the floor to the center of the toilet bowl rim.
Toilet Bowl Depth A tape measure Measure from the front of the toilet bowl to the back of the toilet bowl.
Toilet Bowl Width A tape measure Measure from the left side of the toilet bowl to the right side of the toilet bowl.
Toilet Rough-In A stud finder and a tape measure Measure the distance from the back wall of the toilet flange to the center of the drain pipe.

How to Measure for a New Toilet?

What You Will Need

To measure for a new toilet, you will need the following tools:

  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Level
  • Combination square

Measuring the Existing Toilet

To begin, measure the distance from the back of the toilet to the wall behind it. This is the rough-in measurement, and it is the most important measurement to get correct. The rough-in measurement is typically 12 inches, but it can vary depending on the age of your home.

Next, measure the distance from the center of the toilet bowl to the front of the toilet tank. This measurement is called the center-to-front measurement. The center-to-front measurement is typically 18 inches, but it can vary depending on the style of toilet you have.

Finally, measure the height of the toilet from the floor to the top of the toilet seat. This measurement is called the height measurement. The height measurement is typically 15 inches, but it can vary depending on the style of toilet you have.

Once you have measured your existing toilet, you can use these measurements to compare to the measurements of new toilets. Be sure to check the rough-in measurement first, as this is the most important measurement to get correct.

Installing a New Toilet

Once you have purchased a new toilet, you can install it yourself using the following steps:

1. Disconnect the water supply to the toilet. To do this, turn off the water supply valve located under the sink or behind the toilet. Then, flush the toilet to drain the water from the tank.
2. Remove the old toilet. To do this, first remove the nuts that secure the toilet to the floor. Then, lift up on the toilet and carefully remove it from the floor.
3. Install the new toilet. To do this, first place the new toilet in the desired location. Then, secure the toilet to the floor using the nuts that you removed from the old toilet.
4. Connect the water supply to the toilet. To do this, turn on the water supply valve and flush the toilet to check for leaks.
5. Adjust the toilet seat. To do this, remove the old toilet seat and install the new toilet seat.

Once you have installed the new toilet, you can test it by flushing it. The toilet should flush smoothly and without any leaks.

Measuring for a new toilet and installing a new toilet are both relatively simple tasks. However, it is important to get the measurements correct in order to avoid any problems. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, you can always hire a plumber to help you.

3. Choosing the Right Size Toilet

When it comes to choosing a new toilet, one of the most important factors to consider is size. The wrong size toilet can be a major inconvenience, and it can also make your bathroom look cramped and cluttered.

To avoid these problems, it’s important to measure your bathroom carefully before you start shopping for a new toilet. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • The overall width of the toilet. This includes the tank and the bowl. You’ll need to make sure that there is enough space between the toilet and the walls on either side to allow for easy access.
  • The overall depth of the toilet. This includes the tank and the bowl. You’ll need to make sure that there is enough space between the toilet and the back wall to allow for easy access.
  • The height of the toilet seat. This is important for people of all heights. You’ll need to make sure that the toilet seat is comfortable for you to use.
  • The rough-in measurement. This is the distance from the back of the toilet to the center of the drain pipe. This measurement is typically 12 inches, but it can vary depending on the type of toilet you choose.

Once you’ve measured your bathroom, you can start shopping for a new toilet. There are a wide variety of sizes available, so you’re sure to find one that fits your needs.

Here are a few tips for choosing the right size toilet:

  • If you have a small bathroom, you may want to consider a compact toilet. Compact toilets are typically narrower and shorter than standard toilets, so they can save space.
  • If you have a large bathroom, you may want to consider a standard or elongated toilet. Standard toilets are about 28 inches wide and 17 inches deep, while elongated toilets are about 31 inches wide and 19 inches deep.
  • If you have a high toilet, you may want to consider a toilet with a comfort height seat. Comfort height seats are about 17 inches high, which is about 2 inches higher than standard seats. This can make it easier for people with mobility issues to use the toilet.

By following these tips, you can choose the right size toilet for your bathroom. This will ensure that you have a comfortable and convenient toilet that fits your needs.

4. Installing the New Toilet

Installing a new toilet is a relatively simple task, but it is important to follow the steps carefully to ensure that the toilet is installed properly. Here are the basic steps involved in installing a new toilet:

1. Disconnect the water supply to the old toilet. This is usually done by turning off the water supply valve located under the sink or behind the toilet.
2. Remove the old toilet. To do this, you will need to remove the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor. These bolts are typically located on either side of the toilet bowl. Once the bolts are removed, you can lift the toilet up and out of the toilet bowl.
3. Install the new toilet. To do this, you will need to place the new toilet over the toilet flange and secure it with the bolts that came with the toilet.
4. Connect the water supply to the new toilet. This is done by turning on the water supply valve and checking for leaks.
5. Install the toilet seat. This is usually done by attaching the toilet seat to the toilet bowl with two screws.

Once the new toilet is installed, you can test it by flushing it. If the toilet flushes properly and there are no leaks, then you have successfully installed the new toilet.

Choosing and installing a new toilet is a relatively simple task, but it is important to follow the steps carefully to ensure that the toilet is installed properly. By following the tips in this article, you can choose the right size toilet for your bathroom and install it yourself.

How do I measure for a new toilet?

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

  • The distance between the center of the drain pipe and the back wall of the toilet (the “rough-in”). This measurement is typically 12 inches, but it can vary depending on the age of your home.
  • The width of the toilet bowl. This measurement is typically 18-20 inches.
  • The depth of the toilet bowl. This measurement is typically 14-16 inches.
  • The height of the toilet seat. This measurement is typically 15-17 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 rough-in is not 12 inches?

If your rough-in is not 12 inches, you will need to purchase a toilet that is specifically designed for a non-standard rough-in. These toilets are available in a variety of different rough-in sizes, so you should be able to find one that will work in your bathroom.

What if my toilet is too close to the wall?

If your toilet is too close to the wall, you will not be able to install a new toilet without replacing the toilet flange. The toilet flange is the metal ring that the toilet bolts to. If the flange is too close to the wall, you will not be able to get the bolts through the flange and into the floor.

To fix this problem, you will need to remove the old toilet and replace the toilet flange with a new one that is further away from the wall. You can find toilet flanges in a variety of different sizes, so you should be able to find one that will work in your bathroom.

What if my toilet is too far from the wall?

If your toilet is too far from the wall, you will not be able to install a new toilet without moving the toilet flange. The toilet flange is the metal ring that the toilet bolts to. If the flange is too far from the wall, you will not be able to get the bolts through the flange and into the floor.

To fix this problem, you will need to move the toilet flange closer to the wall. You can do this by cutting out a piece of the subfloor and then reinstalling the toilet flange. You can find toilet flanges in a variety of different sizes, so you should be able to find one that will work in your bathroom.

What if I don’t know how to measure for a new toilet?

If you are not comfortable measuring for a new toilet, you can always hire a professional plumber to do it for you. A plumber will be able to measure your bathroom and recommend a toilet that will fit properly.

In this article, we have discussed how to measure for a new toilet. We have covered the different types of toilets and their measurements, as well as the importance of measuring the rough-in. We have also provided a step-by-step guide on how to measure for a new toilet.

We hope that this article has been helpful and that you are now able to measure for a new toilet with confidence. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact a qualified plumber.

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

  • There are two main types of toilets: one-piece and two-piece.
  • The rough-in is the distance from the back of the toilet to the wall.
  • To measure for a new toilet, you will need to measure the rough-in, the distance between the toilet flange and the floor, and the width and depth of the toilet.
  • It is important to make sure that the new toilet fits in the space that you have available.
  • If you are not comfortable measuring for a new toilet, you can always hire a qualified plumber to do it for you.

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.