Hello there and welcome to another article about toilet seats. This one we are going to run through on how to measure for a toilet seat.
Explain the differences between the 2 main types of toilet seat shapes so you get the right one first off when you make your purchase.
Toilet seats really only come in two shapes and they are round or elongated. This is going to be very basic in the steps so you might be able to skip a couple to fast track it.
First up you will need a pencil or pen to write down your measurements a note pad and a tape measure. This day and age you can use the good old mobile over a pen and pager.
Either way whichever is best suited for you. You can even just use a tape measure that you will need by the way and tap a snapshot with the camera and no writing at all.
It will be easier to measure the bowl when the seat is off but it’s not a necessity.
How To Measure The Toilet Bowl
Ok, let’s all start off on a level playing field which will make it easy for us all.
We have just moved into our new house and the toilet bowl has no seat on it as the previous owners took it with them. Now we all have a clean slate to work with which will make it more easier.
Step 1- With the toilet seat off the bowl, you will see there are 2 holes at the rear of the bowl. Make sure you measure the holes that are closest to the toilet rim itself.
That is where the toilet seat is bolted to the bowl and held down. Now grab the tape measure and measure between the 2 holes on the toilet bowl.
Most standard toilet bowls and seats have a measurement of 5-1/2 inches. See the picture where the number 1 is where to measure.
You can also see how to measure the toilet seat itself as well.
- how to measure a toilet seat
Step 2- Now that we have the toilet seat measurement sorted now we need to measure the width of the toilet bowl.
Measure the toilet bowl from the widest part of the bowl.
Make sure you do measure from the widest part as per the picture below.
The same goes for the toilet seat.
When you are measuring the toilet seat just follow the same as you did when measuring the bowl.
When measuring the toilet set tho it will be easier for you to turn the seat over and measure the back. Standard size measurement should be around 14 to 14-1/2 inches
Step 3- Ok now 3rd and final step is to measure to see if you have a round or elongated toilet bowl.
Round toilet seat- Hold the measuring tape at the center front of the toilet rim and measure the distance from the front to the holes at the back as explained above where the toilet seat hinges bolts onto the bowl.
This measurement for a round toilet bowl should be between 16 and 17 inches. If that is the case then you have a round toilet bowl.
Elongated toilet seat- Hold the measuring tape at the center front of the toilet rim and measure the distance from the front to the holes at the back as explained above where the toilet seat hinges bolts onto the bowl.
This measurement for a round toilet bowl should be between 18 and 19 inches. If that is the case then you have an elongated toilet bowl.
Conclusion
Make sure that your measurements are correct as most places will not accept returns due to hygiene reasons. Remember to be gentle with the toilet bowl as well as it’s porcelain and can crack or break easily.
Extra care is needed if installing a heavy-duty toilet seat as their bolts are made from stainless steel then over plastic therefore can easily over tighten the nuts and crack the bolt hole housing.
For more tips and tricks make sure you check out our home page, there you can read more about these things:
Best heavy duty toilet for heavy person
Best toilet seat riser with arms
And a whole lot more.