Standard vs. Comfort Height Toilets – 2021 Comparison

| Last Updated: December 17, 2021

Have you had trouble deciding between standard height and comfort height toilets for your home or commercial place?

Worry no more. You aren’t alone, and the popularity of both models makes it even harder to decide. 

When it comes to standard vs comfort height toilets, we’ve found that one is ideal for homes with many short members and young children, and the other for homes and commercial places populated by older people and persons with mobility challenges. 

Let’s learn more together. 

TL;DR: Standard Height vs Comfort Height

Standard Height

Comfort Height

Pros

Standard Height

More friendly to young children

More friendly to short and medium height people

More natural body positioning for easy bowel movements

Comfort Height

Easier to stand from after use

Cheaper than standard height models

Easy for people with mobility challenges to access and use

Meets ADA toilet standards, hence raises the resale value for homes and commercial places

Cons

Standard Height

More expensive than comfort height toilets

Not friendly to people who have to get on them from a mobility device

Can be hard to stand up from, especially for the disabled and older people

Comfort Height

Terrible for young children

Might be too tall for short people, necessitating the use of footrests

Causes poor blood circulation in the legs of short people due to dangling

Not friendly to people with constipation problems and might lead to hemorrhages

Best For

Standard Height

  • Best for people with constipation issues

  • Best for use in homes with many short people and young children

Comfort Height

  • Best for people with mobility problems for easier accessibility

  • Best for homes and commercial places populated by many tall, older, or disabled people

What is a Standard Height Toilet? 

A standard height toilet is a toilet that is about 15 to 16 inches high from the floor to the top of the seat (without the lid). 

A standard toilet measures about 14 to 15 inches high from the floor level without the seat in place. 

Standard height toilets are also called regular height or traditional height toilets. They were developed earlier than their comfort height counterparts, hence the name traditional. 

Because of their shorter nature, standard height toilets are ideal for use in homes with many short members and young children. 

It is easier for kids and short to medium height people to use and stand up from a regular height toilet. But taller people find these toilets a nuisance because of sitting posture inconveniences. 

Older people also find traditional height toilets harder to stand up from unless there are toilet rails on the walls to support them as they arise. 

The one great advantage of standard height toilets is that they help you assume a more natural hip and body positioning for easier bowel movements. 

As a result, they are recommended for people with constipation problems as they need a more natural posture when relieving themselves to reduce the chances of hemorrhages. 

Standard height toilets have been around much longer but are now losing their popularity and commonality as more people opt for comfort height toilets. 

What is a Comfort Height Toilet? 

A comfort height toilet is a toilet that is about 17 to 19 inches high from the floor to the top of the seat (without the lid). Without the seat, the toilet measures about 16 to 18 inches tall. 

The very right name for comfort height toilets is chair-height toilets, but different brands have different names for them as a way of uniquely identifying their models. 

The terms comfort height (Kohler), universal height (TOTO),  and Right-height (American Standard) are all brand-specific names for marketing purposes. 

Other brands use the term ADA height toilets because they are compliant with ADA (Americans with Disability Act) standards that require public and commercial places to have chair height toilets ideal for people with mobility issues.

Photo credit: betterbathrooms.com

One thing to note about comfort height toilets is that they are cheaper than their standard height counterparts, which favors users on a tight budget. 

Comfort height toilets are ideal for tall people, people with disabilities, and older people. It is easier for tall and older people to stand up from these toilets. 

For people with disabilities and mobility challenges, comfort height toilets are better because it is easier to rise from them, as it is to get on them from mobility devices like wheelchairs. 

One major shortcoming of comfort height toilets is their skewed hips vs. knees posture. Doctors warn that sitting on such a toilet for too long may cause constipation issues and hemorrhages. 

Short and medium height people find comfort height toilets inconvenient if their feet dangle in the air, cutting blood circulation and causing numbness.

A footrest may be necessary for tall people to improve the sitting posture and for short to reduce poor blood circulation and numbness issues. Young children would also need a footrest. 

Relevant Characteristics Between Standard Height and Comfort Height

Standard vs. Comfort Height Toilet

Compare by tapping or clicking below!

Height

Standard Height

15 to 16 inches with seat in place

Comfort Height

17 to 19 inches with seat in place

Appearance

Standard Height

Normal

Comfort Height

Normal, just a bit taller

Installation

Standard Height

Same as any other toilet

Comfort Height

Same as any other toilet

Price

Standard Height

$200-$400 or more depending on the type

Comfort Height

$150-$300 or more depending on the type

Similarities and Differences 

After the detailed consideration of what standard and comfort height toilets are, let’s now take the standard vs. comfort height toilets discussion a notch higher to explore their differences and similarities. 

Standard Height and Comfort Height Differences 

The following differences are noticeable between standard and comfort height toilets:

Height

The height is the only distinguishing physical feature between comfort and standard height toilets. 

A comfort height toilet is about two inches higher than a standard height model to stand at 17 to 19 inches off the floor. Standard height models stand at 15 to 16 inches off the floor. 

The height of a toilet is the distance from the floor to the top of the toilet seat. This height comprises the toilet seat height (0.5-1 inch) and toilet bowl height (15-17 inches).

The same height difference of two inches holds between the two toilet types without the toilet seat in place. 

Photo credit: myplumberschoice.com

Price

Standard height toilets are more expensive than their comfort height counterparts. The price depends on various factors, such as the brand and type between one-piece and two-piece toilets

A standard height toilet costs between $200 and $400, which may be higher if you buy a one-piece model. 

Comfort height toilets are cheaper at $150-$300. A one-piece model of the same may cost higher. 

Standard Height and Comfort Height Similarities

Standard height and comfort height toilets share the following similarities:

Appearance

Comfort height and standard height toilets look alike in terms of color, shape, and design.

The 2-inch difference in height isn’t even noticeable for many people, and most only feel it when they use the toilet. 

Both regular height and comfort height toilets are available in various colors, with white being the most common. They also come in multiple shapes, such as round and elongated.

The toilets are also available in either one-piece or two-piece designs. 

Installation

The 2-inch height difference between regular and comfort height toilets doesn’t affect their installation. The two toilets are installed the same way. 

The process for installing a one-piece comfort height toilet will be similar to installing a regular toilet of the same type. The same goes for two-piece toilets of either height. 

The cost of installing either toilet is also the same, though it may vary depending on where you live and the plumber you choose. 

What About Low-profile Toilets?

A unique distinguishing feature of a low-profile toilet is that the tank is pretty short, some so low that they are almost flush with the top of the lid. 

There are even tankless low-profile toilets that directly draw flushing water from the waterline. 

Notably, most low-profile toilets have their height improved from standard height to comfort height of 17 to 19 inches off the floor to the top of the toilet seat. 

Photo credit: chron.com

A low-profile toilet is any toilet shorter than the standard tank (or a tankless toilet) with a comfort height of 17 to 19 inches. However, some models may have a standard height of 15-16 inches. 

The minimalist design of a low-profile toilet ensures that the seat and bowl have the right width and height yet minimizes the overall toilet height from the floor to the top of the tank. 

Low-profile toilets are ideal for bathrooms where vertical space is limited, such as when you want the tank to slide under a countertop, shelf, or cabinet. 

Like standard and comfort height toilets, low-profile toilets are available in various designs, shapes, and colors. 

One-piece low-profile toilets are readily available, while two-piece units of the same are scarce. 

You can buy a round or elongated low-profile toilet, but you must first ensure you have plenty of horizontal space for the latter. 

The common colors for low-profile toilets are white and beige. Other colors are available but very scarce. 

When is a Standard Height Toilet the Best Option?

A standard height toilet is the best option if your home comprises many members of short stature and young children. 

Short people need to feel their feet firmly on the floor in the squat position, while children need a toilet they can reach and use easily without too much dangling or holding onto the seat unnecessarily.

A standard height toilet is also your best bet if you have constipation problems and must reduce the risk of hemorrhages. 

The squat position on a standard height toilet is such that the hips lie directly below your knees. In this posture, emptying your bowel is easier because of the more natural rectum-anus alignment. 

When is a Comfort Height Toilet the Best Option?

A comfort height toilet is the best option if your home comprises taller or older people or people with disabilities. 

Taller people require a taller toilet that is more accommodative of their height. In comparison, older people need a taller toilet to make it easier to stand up after relieving themselves. 

Photo credit: shoptoilet.com

People with disabilities and mobility problems require a taller toilet they can stand up from easily and one that is easier to transfer to from a mobility device such as a wheelchair. 

You might also want to choose a comfort height chair if you are developing public, semi-public, or commercial places like dining outlets that must have ADA-compliant toilets. 

Bottom Line

The type of toilet you choose between standard height and comfort height toilets will depend on the factors below:

  • The height and age of members of your family

  • The physical needs of family members

  • How you will transfer to and from the toilet

  • The place where you want to erect the toilet (either at home or a commercial place)

If you live in a home with short-statured people and young children or those with constipation problems, consider choosing a standard height toilet. 

If you live in a home with tall, older, or people with mobility challenges, consider choosing a comfort height toilet. 

People Also Ask

While we have covered a lot on the topic of standard vs. comfort height toilets, you may still have some burning questions about the two types. Let’s get you some answers for them. 

What Toilet Height Is Best?

Ideally, no toilet height is universally best for everyone. Different people have different needs that influence the best toilet for them.

Short people are better off using standard height toilets, while older people, taller people, and people with mobility issues are better off using comfort height toilets. 

Are Comfort Height Toilets More Expensive?

Comfort height toilets are cheaper than their standard height counterparts of the same design between one-piece and two-piece toilets across most brands. 

Are Most Toilets Comfort Height?

For the longest time, most toilets have been standard height models. However, these are gradually losing popularity as more people opt for comfort height toilets even in homes. 

While standard height toilets are more common in homes, their comfort height counterparts are more common in public or commercial places like restaurants. 

However, you’ll find a nearly equal distribution of both comfort height and standard height toilets in homes as people seek to equally serve kids, short, tall, older, and disabled family members. 

Are Comfort Height Toilets Bad For You?

Comfort height toilets aren’t bad for you. They are only bad for you if you have constipation problems since their squat position may lead to hemorrhoids due to incomplete defecation. 

Comfort height toilets are also bad for you if you are too short. When sitting on one, your feet may dangle in the air, leading to poor blood circulation and numbness. 

What is a Chair-Height Toilet?

A chair-height toilet is a toilet that stands 17 to 19 inches high from the floor to the top of the toilet seat. It is a seat with the same height off of the floor, just like a chair.
 
“Chair-height” is the correct universal name for such taller toilets, but different brands use different terms for ease of unique identification and marketing purposes.

Welcome! We hope you’ll find the job costs of home improvement projects useful when you’re deciding whether to do a job yourself vs. hire a contractor. We’re the authors of 20 home improvement books, most notably Home Improvement for Dummies©, Bathroom Remodeling for Dummies©, Carpentry for Dummies©, Plumbing for Dummies©, and Painting and Wallpapering for Dummies©. Our most recent book Fix It and Flip It is in its second edition. We’ve appeared as home improvement experts on television programs such as CNN, Dateline, the Today Show, HGTV and many others.