Measuring Your Rough-In Distance

Person using a tape measure to measure the base of a toilet

 

Before selecting a new toilet, it's essential to know your bathroom's rough-in measurement — the distance from the finished wall behind the toilet to the center of the floor drain. This single measurement determines which toilets will fit your space.

Most modern bathrooms have a standard 12-inch rough-in. Older homes and compact bathrooms may have 10-inch or 14-inch rough-ins, so it's worth confirming before you buy.

To measure your rough-in: If a toilet is already installed, measure from the wall to the center of the bolts at the base of the toilet. If starting from scratch, measure from the wall to the center of the floor drain.