A comfort height toilet has a taller bowl, usually listed at 17 to 19 inches from the floor, which puts the seat at roughly chair height; a standard toilet sits a couple of inches lower. The taller bowl makes sitting down and standing up easier for many taller adults and for people with stiff knees or hips. It is not better for everyone, though. Shorter adults, children and anyone who prefers a deeper squat often find a standard height toilet more comfortable.
Comfort height toilet vs standard: the numbers
Some brands quote height to the top of the bowl rim, others to the top of the seat.
- Standard height. The Signature Hardware toilet buying guide puts standard bowl height at 14 to 16 inches, measured from the finished floor to the top of the bowl before the seat. Several Swiss Madison listings in our store describe standard height as 15 to 17 inches.
- Comfort height. Signature Hardware puts comfort height bowls at 17 to 19 inches. Swiss Madison listings describe comfort height as 17 to 19 inches.
- The seat. Signature Hardware notes that a toilet seat adds another half inch to 1 inch.
That last point matters. A bowl rim at 17 inches plus a seat can land around 17.5 to 18 inches at the seat, while a tall standard bowl at 16 inches might reach 16.5 to 17 inches with its seat.
ADA toilet height: what the standard actually says
Comfort height toilets are often called ADA height, but the ADA Standards measure to the seat, not the rim. Section 604.4 of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design sets the seat height of a water closet at 17 inches minimum and 19 inches maximum above the finish floor, measured to the top of the seat. For residential dwelling units, an exception allows 15 to 19 inches. Our elongated vs round toilet guide covers clearances; here the point is to check where a listing measured from, and add the seat if the figure is to the rim.
Who a chair height toilet suits
- Taller adults. A higher seat keeps the knees from rising above the hips.
- People with knee, hip or back stiffness. WoodBridge describes its chair height models as offering more comfort to taller people and people who have a hard time getting up from a low seat. That is a manufacturer claim, and needs vary.
- Households planning to age in place. If you are remodeling anyway, choosing the height now can save swapping the toilet later.
Who may prefer a standard height toilet
- Shorter adults. If your feet do not rest flat on the floor when seated, the taller bowl can leave your legs dangling, which some people find uncomfortable.
- Children. The ADA advisory table for children suggests toilet seat heights of 11 to 12 inches for ages 3 and 4, 12 to 15 inches for ages 5 through 8, and 15 to 17 inches for ages 9 through 12. A kids bathroom is usually better served by a standard height toilet plus a step stool.
- People who prefer a squatting posture. Some people find a lower seat, or a footstool in front of any toilet, more natural. A footstool works with either height.
For wheelchair transfers or any health or mobility need, ask your doctor or an occupational therapist what height suits you before you buy.
How to measure your current toilet
- Measure from the finished floor straight up to the top of the bowl rim with the seat lifted. That is the rim height most brands compare.
- Lower the seat and measure to the top of the seat. That is the figure the ADA Standards use.
- Sit on it. If your feet rest flat and your knees stay below your hips, the height probably works for you.
- Check your rough in, the distance from the finished wall to the center of the drain, before you order, so the new toilet fits the drain you have.
Seat riser or a new toilet?
A raised seat or seat riser sits on your existing bowl and adds height without plumbing work. It can be a sensible short term fix, especially while someone recovers from surgery, but it has to match your bowl shape and attach securely. Replacing the toilet makes more sense when the old one is due anyway or you are remodeling. Our one piece vs two piece toilet guide can help with the style choice once the height is settled.
Wall hung toilets: choose your own height
With a wall hung toilet, the bowl height is set when the in wall carrier goes in. The Swiss Madison Hugo bundle listing says to adjust the carrier legs during installation to the height you want, and lists a weight capacity of 500 pounds. Decide before the wall is closed. Our wall hung toilet guide covers carriers and stud depth.
Pairing height with grab bars
The ADA Standards place grab bars at water closets 33 to 36 inches above the floor to the top of the gripping surface, with a side wall bar at least 42 inches long and a rear wall bar at least 36 inches long. In homes, the residential exception allows bars to be left out if the walls are reinforced for them later. Have a qualified installer mount them into solid blocking.
Comfort height and standard toilets we carry
This table lists only toilets whose product pages state a height. Prices are at the time of writing; this is a spec based comparison, not a hands on review.
| Toilet | Height as listed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Viro Smart Tankless Elongated Toilet | Comfort height, 17 to 19 in | $520.48 |
| St. Tropez One Piece with Smart Seat | Comfort height, 17 to 19 in | $660.96 |
| Virage One Piece with Vivante Smart Seat | Comfort height, 17 to 19 in | $681.37 |
| Avancer One Piece Smart Toilet, White | Comfort height, 17 to 19 in | $775.31 |
| WoodBridge T-0019 | Chair height, 17 to 19 in floor to rim with seat included | $960.00 |
| WoodBridge T-0020 | Chair height, 17 to 19 in floor to rim with seat included | $1,080.00 |
| WoodBridge B0931S Smart Bidet Toilet | 17-3/8 in floor to bowl | $3,120.00 |
| Plaisir Smart One Piece, White | Standard height, 15 to 17 in | $929.19 |
| Concorde Smart One Piece, White | Standard height, 15 to 17 in | $1,137.48 |
| Swiss Madison Hugo Smart Wall Hung Bundle | Set at installation via carrier legs | $999.00 |
The WoodBridge wording does not make clear whether 17 to 19 inches is the rim or the seat, so confirm on the spec sheet if you need an exact seat height. Browse more models on our Swiss Madison brand page, and use our bathroom vanity sizes guide to plan the rest of the room.
Frequently asked questions
What is a comfort height toilet?
A toilet with a taller bowl, usually listed at 17 to 19 inches, that puts the seat near chair height.
Is chair height toilet the same as comfort height?
Yes, the terms are used interchangeably. Compare the actual inches and whether they are to the rim or the seat.
What is the ADA toilet height?
The ADA Standards set seat height at 17 to 19 inches above the floor, measured to the top of the seat, with an exception allowing 15 to 19 inches in residential dwelling units.
Is a comfort height toilet bad for short people?
Not bad, but if your feet do not reach the floor, a standard height toilet or a footstool may suit you better.
Can I make my existing toilet taller?
A raised seat or riser can add height without new plumbing. For a medical need, ask an occupational therapist which option is safest.
Need help matching a toilet height to your household? Call us at 866-777-2590, Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship with free freight shipping, and orders below that ship at a $200 flat rate. Review our return and refund policy before you order. For installation, a licensed plumber and your local code have the final word.
