Measuring a toilet seat? Know your bowl!

Back in the 1920s, when improper sanitation contributed to widespread disease, a group of Los Angeles plumbing inspectors realized it was time to develop a uniform code for installing and maintaining plumbing systems. That first incarnation evolved to become the National Standard Plumbing Code, first published in 1933 to protect the health, promote safety and ensure proper plumbing system installation.

And it’s all thanks to those definitive plumbing standards that homeowners don’t have to stress over toilet seat sizes. Why? Because all toilet bowls in North America are either round or elongated/oblong/oval. That means, when the time comes to measure for a new toilet seat, it’s simple, easy and requires zero guesswork.

Step 1: Confirm your seat shape (round vs. elongated) by measuring your toilet - not your toilet seat - from the seat mounting holes to the front, top edge of the bowl. Round bowls measure 16.5 inches; elongated bowls measure 18.5 inches.

Measure Toilet Bowl

Step 2: Shop for your perfect fit with a Bath Royale toilet seat. If your backside prefers a toilet seat that’s softer and warmer to the touch, our Executive, Premium, and Superior models are your best choice. If you live in a warm and humid climate or spend a lot of time on the toilet, your bottom will love MasterSuite seats that are cooler to the touch and breathe better against your skin.

“Some people don’t realize there are two sizes - and only two sizes - of toilets and toilet seats, so we give our online visitors the information they need right up front,” said Mark Hillman, Bath Royale president.

“Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for customers to make a good decision on which product to buy. And because we’re a family-owned business, we’re with them every step of the way - from purchase, to installation, to product support.”

More than 30 years of experience goes into the design and production of Bath Royale’s luxury bathroom products and accessories. Explore our online-exclusive collection of toilet seats.