Toilet Seat Sizes
- A round toilet has a rotund shape and it is shorter than the other type of bowl. Only a round toilet seat fits on a round toilet bowl. So, if you have a round toilet, you have to install a round seat. The standard toilet seat size for round bowls is 16.5 inches long from the mounting nuts to the front side of the seat. All major brand toilets will fit this type of toilet seat.
- An elongated toilet has a teardrop shape, and the back edge is a little wider than the front edge. Overall, the elongated toilet is 18.5 inches long from the mounting holes to the front of the seat. This seat is only used for elongated toilets and every major brand builds their toilets to similar specifications, so standard-sized elongated toilet seats fit most brands. You might find some seats fit your toilet bowl better based on the shape and size differences inherent in each. If this is the case, take more measurements into account before you buy a new toilet seat.
- Smaller toilets have smaller toilet seats. For instance, a marine toilet in a yacht is much smaller than a home toilet. Some restaurant toilets are smaller than your home toilet as well. Toilet seats under 16 inches long and less than 13.5 inches wide are used for undersized toilets in a camper, an airplane or a bus. These toilet seats are special-order units sold by commercial and industrial suppliers, so most homeowners will not see them in stores.
- To properly fit your toilet seat, it is also important to measure both the inner and outer widths of the toilet bowl along with the length. Make sure you take accurate measurements, and write them down on paper so you don't forget them. Measure across the bowl at the widest point from outside edge to outside edge, and inside edge to inside edge. Then go to the hardware store and measure the toilet seats to find a better match. You'll save yourself a few trips back and forth to exchange poorly fitted toilet seats.
