Measurements are highly important in design—whether you're looking to buy a new sofa, install a bathroom faucet, or DIY a bed frame using wood pallets. Knowing how to measure these fixtures, furniture, and appliances can be confusing. If you're looking to measure a toilet seat in order to replace it, getting the right measurements will ensure you buy a new seat that will actually fit on your toilet. That means you won't have to deal with sending it back or returning it to the store IRL—that is, if you like the design and it arrives undamaged, of course!

Don't fret, because we have you covered with a quick step-by-step process on how to measure a toilet seat. It's easy and only requires a measuring. (And if you want installation tips for the new seat, we have a quick tutorial on that, too.)

How to Measure a Toilet Seat:

  1. Measure the space between the bolts where the seat attaches to the bowl. The typical distance is 5 1/2 inches.
  2. Determine the width of the bowl at its widest point.
  3. Measure the length of the bowl between the seat bolts and the bowl’s front edge.
  4. Choose a new toilet seat based on those measurements. The options range from high-impact plastic to materials like wood coated in plastic.

Have questions about your next renovation project? We’ve got answers. Let’s do this together.


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Headshot of Kelly Allen
Kelly Allen
Associate Editor

Kelly Allen is the current Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she covers design, pop culture, and travel for digital and the print magazine. She’s been with the team for nearly three years, attending industry events and covering a range of topics. When she’s not watching every new TV show and movie, she’s browsing vintage home stores, admiring hotel interiors, and wandering around New York City. She previously worked for Delish and Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.