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Toilet height calculator: how much to raise the seat
The 2010 ADA Standards put the top of a toilet seat 17 to 19 in above the floor. A standard toilet is about 15 in (Mr. Rooter), so it needs a riser of about 2–4 in to reach that range.
Riser height by current seat height
Measure from the floor to the top of the seat you have now. The middle column is the riser that lands inside the ADA range of 17–19 in; the last aims for 18 in.
| Seat now | Riser for 17–19 in | Riser for 18 in |
|---|---|---|
| 14 in | 3–5 in | 4 in |
| 15 in | 2–4 in | 3 in |
| 16 in | 1–3 in | 2 in |
| 17 in | in range | 1 in |
Citing this? Link to https://toolkitcove.com/home-access/toilet-height-calculator/. Computed by our calculator. Free to reuse with a link (CC BY 4.0).
How to measure
- Put the lid up and the seat down.
- Measure straight up from the floor beside the bowl to the top of the seat, not the rim of the bowl.
- For a personal target, measure a chair the person stands up from easily, floor to top of seat, and type it in as your target.
Questions
What is the ADA toilet height?
17 to 19 inches from the floor to the top of the seat (2010 ADA Standards, 604.4).
How tall is a standard toilet?
About 15 in; comfort-height toilets are 17–19 in (Mr. Rooter). A standard toilet needs about 2–4 in of riser to reach the ADA range.
Is higher always better?
No. Above about 19 in, shorter people’s feet may not rest flat on the floor. That’s why the Standards give a range, and why a personal target can be lower or higher.
Riser or new toilet?
A seat riser is quick and cheap and can be removed; a comfort-height toilet is a plumbing job. Both reach the same height, so the choice is about cost, cleaning and whether the change is permanent.
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