The Standard Height for A Toilet Paper Holder: Find Out!

Last Updated on September 19, 2022 by Alex Cubias

Now I’m sure we’ve all been a part of or at least heard a bit about the heated debate about which way the toilet paper should go- whether it should be going towards the wall or towards the toilet. Little did you know that there may be an even more heated debate over how high you should put your toilet paper holder.

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, a toilet paper holder should be about 26 inches off the ground. This recommendation applies to any type of toilet paper holder, whether it’s freestanding, recessed, or mounted on the wall or vanity.

While this is the recommendation, we will talk a bit about some exceptions and other factors that may change this so that you can put your toilet paper holder at the perfect height for you and your guests.

Recommendations and Standards

You may be thinking, “why does the National Kitchen and Bath Association get to decide what the proper height should be for a toilet paper holder?” Well, the National Kitchen and Bath Association, more commonly known as the NKBA, is a group that studies comfort and functional design in the kitchen and bathroom.

The National Kitchen and Bath Association provides recommendations based on construction codes. Basically, construction codes tell you what the bare minimum is, but NBKA recommendations tell you what is more ergonomic within code regulations. They think about all the aspects of living and help people create efficient and comfortable living spaces.

According to the NBKA,

“The toilet paper holder should be located 8 to 12 inches in front of the edge of the toilet bowl, centered at 26 inches.”

– National kitchen and bath association

Most toilets are about 17 to 19 inches tall from the base to the rim of the toilet, which means that the best height to put your toilet paper holder is about 7 to 9 inches above the height of the rim of the toilet. That means that if your toilet is a little taller or smaller, then you should put your toilet paper holder anywhere from 7 to 9 inches above the rim of your toilet.

Another factor to think about when installing your toilet paper holder is the distance from the toilet. The NBKA recommends that a toilet paper holder be located 8 to 12 inches in front of the toilet bowl. This gives users just the right amount of space to reach out without being too much in their space.

Other Factors to Consider

Some other factors you might want to consider when placing your toilet paper holder is the type of toilet paper holder you are looking into getting. There are three main types of toilet paper holders:

  1. Wall-mounted toilet paper holder
  2. Free-standing toilet paper holder
  3. Recessed toilet paper holder

A wall-mounted toilet paper holder is one of the most common types. It is important to know what height you should install a wall-mounted holder because it is usually screwed into the wall. This means it is hard to move and if you do move it, then you will be stuck with holes in the wall that you will need to refill and repaint. Wall-mounted holders aren’t very expensive. You can get a cheap one for about $12 or can purchase a slightly high-end one for under $60.

If you choose a free-standing toilet paper holder, you might have to worry a bit less about height because you don’t have to install it. Free-standing toilet paper holders are a little more expensive than their wall-mounted counterparts but are a good investment. You won’t have any holes in your wall from a free-standing holder, and you can bring it with you when you move.

Recessed toilet paper holders used to be very common but are slowly losing popularity. These toilet paper holders are placed in a nook that is removed from the wall. This setup means that it takes up less space, which could be nice if you are not working with a ton of space.

On the other hand, it also means that if you ever decide to get a different one, the installation will be a little trickier or you will need to patch a large hole in your wall.

Toilet Paper Holder Add Ons

You may also be considering any one of these different types of toilet paper holders but with a shelf or other storage compartment. A shelf or storage compartment may come in handy. There you can store extra toilet paper or flushable wet wipes. You could even put room spray or another deodorizing product like PooPourri. Adding touches like this to your bathroom will help you and your guests feel more comfortable and have a better experience overall.

The material and style of your toilet paper holder will also affect the ergonomics of your bathroom. Luckily, toilet paper holders come in a wide variety of styles ranging from sleek and modern to ornate and elegant and even to odd and quirky. When you are selecting a toilet paper holder, make sure to pick one that fits your style but also works well with the other decorations and bathroom fixtures.

Material-wise, you will have many options to choose from. Toilet paper holders can be made out of plastic, wood, ceramic, aluminum, stainless steel, or even a combination of these materials. You will want to pick a material that fits your aesthetic and is durable.

Convenience

The convenience and ease of changing out the toilet paper roll is a big factor to consider. Make sure that your toilet paper roll holder is simple and easy to use. Nobody wants to be fighting their toilet paper holder every time they need to replace the roll.

Height of Frequent Users

In addition to the NBKA recommendation on how high you should place your toilet paper holder, you might want to consider the height of family members or frequent guests when deciding how tall your toilet paper roll holder should be. You will need to take into consideration the average height of those in your household.

If people who frequently use the bathroom in your home tend to be shorter, you can place to toilet roll holder a few inches closer to the bowl, and if they tend to be taller, you can install it a few extra inches away from the toilet bowl.