Height, rough-in and water
Three numbers to know before you buy, and one of them decides whether it fits at all.
- Rough-in
- The distance from the finished wall to the center of the drain. Most homes are 12 inches, some are 10 or 14, and a toilet made for the wrong one will not fit.
- Comfort height
- A seat at about 17 to 19 inches, closer to chair height, which many people find easier to stand from.
- Water per flush
- Federal law caps toilets at 1.6 gallons per flush, and WaterSense models use 1.28 or less. The EPA says toilets are nearly a quarter of a home's indoor water use.
- Bowl shape
- Elongated bowls are more comfortable for most adults; round bowls save a little room in a tight bathroom.