Indian Toilet: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Choose

An Indian toilet is a floor-level toilet designed for squatting; some types, such as the ceramic Orissa pan, have raised footrests, and water may be flushed or poured into the pan. It is also called an Orissa pan. Choosing one is mainly about comfort, mobility, bathroom layout, and whether your plumbing can support the pan you want.

What an Indian Toilet Is

An Indian toilet is designed for squatting rather than sitting. The user places both feet on the raised footrests and squats over the bowl opening. The pan is installed level with the floor.

An Orissa pan is a common ceramic version of an Indian toilet. It has raised footrests molded into each side of the pan, which help keep feet out of the bowl area and provide a more stable standing surface. Look for those footrests when shopping; a plain floor-level drain pan is not necessarily designed for safe toilet use.

Despite product listings sometimes calling it an “Indian toilet seat,” the fixture itself usually has no seat. It is a squat pan.

Most setups include one of these water arrangements:

A wall-mounted flush tank or cistern operated by a lever or button.
A bucket and mug used to pour water into the pan for flushing.
A hand-held health faucet or jet spray for washing, often used alongside toilet paper.

The best toilet style is the one that every regular user can use safely and comfortably, not the one with the most claimed health benefits.

Indian Toilets, Western Toilets, and Anglo-Indian Toilets

Indian and Western toilets do the same basic job, but they suit different bathrooms and users.

Bathroom Need	Better-Fitting Option	What to Consider
You prefer squatting and have good knee, hip, and balance mobility	Indian toilet or Orissa pan	Requires squatting over a floor-level pan
Someone needs a stable seated position or easier transfers	Western toilet	Usually easier for older adults and people with joint or mobility limitations
A household wants both sitting and squatting options	Anglo-Indian toilet	Confirm that the model is specifically made for both positions
A renter wants to avoid major bathroom changes	Existing fixture or a removable accessibility option	A new floor pan can require plumbing and floor work

A Western toilet is the familiar raised toilet with a seat and tank. It can be easier to use for people with knee pain, hip problems, back pain, poor balance, or limited mobility.

An Anglo-Indian toilet is a hybrid fixture designed for both sitting and squatting. It is not the same as an ordinary Western toilet. Never squat on a standard seated toilet unless the manufacturer specifically says the fixture is made for it; the bowl can crack or become slippery and unstable.

How to Plan an Indian Toilet Installation

Installing a new floor-level toilet pan is usually a plumbing and flooring project, not a simple swap like replacing a toilet flapper. You can choose the fixture, measure the room, and plan the water accessories yourself, but call a plumber for drain changes, floor removal, waterproofing, major leaks, or sewer work.

Step 1: Choose the Toilet Style for the People Using It

List who will use the bathroom regularly, including children, guests, and anyone with mobility limitations.
Consider each regular user’s needs when selecting a fixture.
Choose a purpose-built Anglo-Indian model only if the product instructions confirm it supports both positions.

Where a home has more than one bathroom, different toilet styles can be installed in different rooms.

Step 2: Measure the Floor Area Before Buying the Pan

Measure the clear floor space where the pan will go, including nearby walls, a shower curb, door swing, and any cabinet that limits movement.
Mark the existing drain location and give that information to the installer before ordering.
Compare your measurements with the exact pan dimensions, not just the product photo.

For example, Ruhe’s Orissa Pan is offered in 23 x 18 x 12, 23 x 18 x 11, 21 x 17 x 11, and 21 x 16.5 x 11 inches.

Do not assume that a pan that fits between two walls will be comfortable to use. A person needs enough unobstructed room to step onto the footrests, squat, and stand safely.

Step 3: Plan the Flush and Washing Water Supply

Decide whether the toilet will use a flush tank, a bucket-and-mug setup, or both.
Include the water-supply parts in your budget before ordering the pan.
Confirm where the shutoff valve and spray hose will be located so they remain reachable after installation.

An Orissa pan alone is not a complete water-supply setup. For its Orissa Pan, Ruhe specifies a flush tank, a jet spray or health faucet, and an angle valve for the water supply. Its compatible example is an 8-liter wall-mounted PVC Atlantic or Pacific flush tank, available in single-flush or dual-flush versions. Tank capacity and connection details vary by manufacturer, so use the specification for the tank and pan you are actually buying.

A health faucet is a hand-held spray nozzle, often mounted near the toilet. It can function similarly to a bidet sprayer, but it is a separate plumbing accessory rather than a built-in feature of the pan.

Step 4: Confirm Drain Compatibility and Arrange Installation

Give the pan model, drain location, and bathroom measurements to the installer.
Ask whether the existing drain, trap arrangement, finished floor height, and waterproofing can support that specific pan.
Schedule installation only after the pan, flush tank, water valve, and spray components are on hand.
Keep the water supply shut off while connections are being made.

A floor-level pan may require changes below the finished floor, especially when replacing a raised toilet. That work can involve the drain line, concrete or subfloor, tile, and waterproofing layer. Call a plumber rather than attempting those changes yourself.

Step 5: Test the Completed Installation Before Regular Use

Open the water supply and let the flush tank fill.
Flush the pan and watch the water move through the bowl and drain without backing up.
Check the flush-tank connection, angle valve, health faucet hose, and floor area around the pan for drips or seepage.
Make sure the pan does not rock and that its footrests sit flush with the finished floor.
Test the health faucet carefully, aiming it into the pan before using it for personal washing.

Stop using the toilet and call the installer or a plumber if water appears at the base of the pan, the drain backs up, the floor feels loose, or a connection leaks. A small leak under a floor-level pan can damage the floor structure before it becomes obvious.

How to Use an Indian Toilet

To use an Indian toilet, step onto the raised footrests with one foot on each side of the pan. Lower into a balanced squat over the bowl opening, keeping both feet fully on the footrests.

Use the flush control after use if the toilet has a cistern. If the bathroom uses a bucket and mug, pour water into the pan with enough force to move waste through the outlet. A health faucet or bidet sprayer may be used for washing, followed by toilet paper if preferred.

Do not stand on the bowl opening, pan rim, flush tank, bucket, or a nearby toilet fixture. Do not grab a towel bar or glass shower enclosure for support.

For young children, supervision may be needed until they can stand on the footrests and squat without slipping or losing balance.

Keeping an Indian Toilet Clean and Working

Indian toilet pans are generally straightforward to clean because the ceramic surface and surrounding floor are exposed. Clean the bowl, footrests, and floor edges regularly with a bathroom-safe cleaner and a brush or cloth.

Pay special attention to:

The raised footrests, where soap residue or water can make the surface slippery.
The bowl outlet, where paper or other material can obstruct drainage.
The joint between the pan and finished floor, where trapped water can signal a failed seal.
The health faucet hose and handle, which can drip if the valve or hose is worn.

Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, acidic toilet cleaners, or other household cleaners. Rinse cleaning residue from the footrests so users do not step on a slick surface.

If the flush is weak, first check whether the flush tank is filling normally and whether its valve is open. If the pan drains slowly or backs up, stop flushing repeatedly; repeated flushing can overflow a floor-level pan. A clog in the drain line, sewer line, or trap needs a plumber if simple clearing does not restore normal drainage.

Indian Toilets in US Homes and Rentals

Indian-style squat toilets are available in the United States, but you need to verify plumbing compatibility before ordering. A model sold in one country may not match the drain arrangement, fitting sizes, or floor construction in another.

The Ceramic Squat Toilet is available only in the United States and uses USA-standard fittings and parts. That specific product uses a 2.50-inch pipe in its flushing system.

For that Ceramic Squat Toilet, the maker states that a plumber can install it in 30–45 minutes without modifying an existing bathroom. Treat that as a product-specific estimate: an installation that requires moving a drain, opening a slab, rebuilding tile, or correcting a leaking floor will take longer.

Renters should get written approval from the landlord or property manager before changing any toilet, drain, wall plumbing, or bathroom flooring. A removable bidet attachment or hand-held sprayer may be a more practical rental upgrade than converting the room to a floor-level pan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Indian toilets flush?

Yes. An Indian toilet can flush through a wall-mounted tank, cistern, or a bucket-and-mug water setup. The water washes waste through the pan outlet and into the drain system; if water backs up instead of draining, stop flushing and have the plumbing checked.

Do Indian toilets have bidets?

Some Indian toilets have a bidet function, but it is usually provided by a separate accessory rather than built into the pan itself. Many installations use a hand-held health faucet or jet spray connected to the water supply through an angle valve. The spray should be aimed into the pan before use to check for leaks and excessive pressure.

What Is an Anglo-Indian Toilet?

An Anglo-Indian toilet is a hybrid toilet designed for both seated and squatting use. It is a hybrid that allows both sitting and squatting. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before using any toilet in a way other than its intended seated or squat position.

Is an Indian Toilet Available in the USA?

Yes, Indian-style squat toilets are sold in the United States, but the fixture must match local drain and plumbing conditions. The Ceramic Squat Toilet is available only in the United States and uses USA-standard fittings, a built-in S-trap, and a 2.50-inch pipe for its flushing system. Have a plumber confirm that the model works with your bathroom before ordering.

Why Do Some People Prefer Indian Toilets?

Some people prefer the floor-level squat design. Others prefer the simpler floor-level design and the option to use water for washing. A Western toilet is usually the better choice when comfort, balance, or mobility makes squatting difficult.

Can Older Adults Use an Indian Toilet?

Some older adults can use one comfortably, but an Indian toilet can be difficult or unsafe for anyone with knee, hip, back, balance, or strength limitations. A seated Western toilet, or a bathroom that includes both toilet styles, is often the more practical choice. Before buying, choose the toilet style that the least mobile regular user can use safely.