Small Toilet Dimensions (with Drawings)
Buying a toilet may seem like a simple purchase, but there are several things you should know before you buy. A toilet is one of the most frequently used items in your home, so you want to make sure you choose the right one. Use this as a guide to determine the proper dimensions for your bathroom small toilet.
Small toilets come in many different sizes; usually, the biggest difference from a standard toilet is they’re slimmer. They’re also usually less deep; small toilets, on average, are 25 inches deep, 13 inches wide, and 28 inches high. Of course, the dimensions will vary based on the model and brand.
What’s the Average Size of a Small Toilet?
Small toilets are about four inches smaller in depth than a standard toilet. Small toilet depth ranges from 24 to 28 inches. The biggest space saver in a small toilet is thanks to the tank shape and size.
Toilet bowls are available in two different shapes, elongated and round. If you are limited on space, round toilet bowls are the best option. They are circular in design and require less room.
Elongated toilet bowls are typically 2 to 3 inches longer at the front for added comfortability and pear-shaped in design. When incorporating an elongated toilet bowl you want to ensure that you have the proper clearance. Your toilet bowl should not interfere with any doors, drawers, or other objects in the bathroom.
Clearance Required for a Small Toilet
Regardless of the type of toilet you want for your bathroom, you need to make sure there’s enough space. You should always refer to the local building code in your area.
Most building codes require 15 inches of space measured from the center of the toilet to any wall or obstruction. Code also requires at least 30 inches from the center of the toilet to the center of any other sanitary fixture. Additionally, you need 24 inches of clearance in front of any toilet or bidet, but the recommendation is 36 inches.
In most situations, the width and height clearance requirements are not an issue. There should be a minimum of 30 inches of space from left to right.
Toilet paper dispensers or other accessories should be within reach of the user. They should be 30 inches from the floor and no further than 12 inches from the toilet.
Common Small Toilet Manufacturers and Dimensions
Round toilet bowls are typically smaller than elongated toilet bowls. You rarely find elongated toilet bowls with an overall length of 27 inches.
Here are the most common toilets and their dimensions:
Toto Small Toilet
The Toto Drake 1.6 GPF Round 2-Piece toilet is a traditional design. It has a quiet, but powerful flushing system and a 3-inch flush valve, wider than conventional 2-inch flush valves.
The Toto Drake toilet has an overall height of 28.5 inches and overall width of 19.5 inches. The depth of the toilet is 26.38 inches.
American Standard Small Toilet
The American Standard H2Optimum Round Front Toilet has an elongated bowl and 16 ½ inch rim. The bowl height without the seat is 15 inches and the flush valve is 2 inches. The American Standard H2Optimum Round Front Toilet has an overall depth of 15 inches, height of 30 inches, and width of 27.75 inches.
Kohler Small Toilet
The Kohler Santa Rosa Comfort Height 1-piece toilet is a compact, single-flush toilet. It has a contemporary look and compact, elongated bowl, not very common for small toilets.
The toilet bowl has a height of 16.5 inches without the seat and a 3-inch flush valve. The Kohler Santa Rosa toilet has an overall depth of 27.75 inches and height of 28.19 inches. Furthermore, the toilet has an overall width of 18.75 inches.
Galba Small Toilet
The Galba small toilet is the ideal toilet for small bathrooms. It is one of the smallest toilets and has an elongated toilet bowl. It is 24.5 inches long, 13.5 inches wide, and 28.5 inches high. The seat height is 16.5 inches.
Swiss Madison Concorde Wall Hung Toilet
The Swiss Madison Concorde Wall Hung Toilet is square-shaped, saving space in most bathrooms. Wall-hung toilets have well-defined edges, perfect for a compact and minimal look.
The Swiss Madison Concorde Wall Hung Toilet has a width of 14.19 inches and a depth of 22.44 inches. You should hang the toilet at an overall height of 16 to 20 inches.
What Are Standard Toilet Dimensions?
Standard-size toilets are usually 28 to 30 inches deep, about 20 inches wide, and 27 to 32 inches high. The rough-in is between 10 to 14 inches.
You measure seat height from the floor to the top of the seat. There are two types of seat height, standard height and chair height.
Standard-height toilets are common amongst most households and are 15 to 17 inches off the ground. Chair-height toilets offer additional comfort and are a good choice for those who have restricted mobility. Chair-height toilets are 17 to 19 inches off the ground.
How to Measure a Toilet
When buying a new toilet, you want to make sure it will fit in the intended space. To find the right size toilet for your bathroom, you will need to grab a tape measure and record measurements. Measure the total height, depth, width, and rough-in.
Measuring Toilet Height
Using a tape measure, measure from the floor to the top of the toilet seat. Then, measure from the floor to the top of the toilet; this will give you the total height. You want to make sure that the toilet can fit into the same space as your current toilet.
Measuring Toilet Depth
Measure from the front of the toilet rim to the back of the toilet. There should be 24 inches of space in front of the toilet. This will ensure that there’s plenty of room to move around the front of the toilet.
This will also ensure that your bathroom or shower door will not hit the toilet.
Measuring Toilet Width
To find the toilet width, measure from the left edge to the right edge of the toilet tank or the toilet seat. Use the measurement that is the widest to ensure the toilet fits in the space. There should be 30 inches of space for your toilet width no matter where it is placed in the bathroom.
Measuring the Toilet Rough-In
The critical dimension when buying a toilet is the rough-in measurement. This is the distance between the center of the closet bolts and the wall behind the toilet. Measure from the back wall to the center of the rear closet bolts.
The standard toilet dimension for rough-ins is 12 inches, but they can range from 10 to 14 inches.
Toilet Styles
Toilets come in several different styles. Here’s a closer look at the various types of toilets.
Two-Piece Toilet
The two-piece toilet is a traditional-style toilet that you likely have in your home. The toilet bowl and toilet tank are separate pieces, and the tank is bolted to the bowl.
One-Piece Toilet
Offering a more seamless look, one-piece toilets feature a bowl and tank that are all-in-one instead of separated. One-piece toilets are also easier to clean because there are fewer gaps and crevices.
Corner Toilet
If you’re limited on space, a corner toilet might be best for you. You most often find corner toilets in half bathrooms. These toilets are space savers that can fit snugly into a corner, providing you with more floor space.
Rear Outlet Toilet
Rear outlet toilets connect to plumbing through the wall rather than the floor. These toilets are great if you have a concrete slab and want to add on a bathroom. Rear outlet toilets give you the ability to install them in most areas of the bathroom.
High-Tank Toilet
A high-tank toilet has a vintage look with modern functionality. The toilet tank is not connected to the bowl, but rather hung from the wall above. When you pull on the chain, it releases water from the tank down into the bowl and exits through the drainpipe.
Skirted Toilet
Most one-piece toilets are skirted toilets, featuring a concealed trapway below the tank and bowl. This enhances the appearance of the toilet and eliminates the areas where dust or other particles could accumulate, making it easier to clean.
Related Questions
What is the best way to clean the toilet tank?
Many people clean their toilets on a strict schedule, but they often forget about the toilet tank. To clean the toilet tank, remove the lid and look inside for any mineral build-up or debris. If you see any, pour 4 cups of vinegar into the tank and let it soak for one hour. Next, turn the water off and flush the toilet, draining the tank so you can properly clean the inside. Use a sponge or toilet brush to scrub the tank walls, then turn the water back on and allow the tank to fill. Once the tank refills, flush the toilet several times to rinse out the tank.Â
Can you pour bleach down the toilet?
You should practice drain safety by never disposing of dangerous materials in any drain, including the toilet. If you’re on a septic system, never pour bleach down the toilet. Bleach can kill any beneficial bacteria that break down septic waste. Bleach and cleaning fluids can create toxic gasses when mixed together. If you pour bleach or other cleaning agents down the toilet, it can contaminate the air in your home.
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Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
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