How do you measure a toilet seat?

In order to find the right size toilet seat for your toilet, use a tape measure to measure from the bolts or bolt holes at the back of the toilet bowl to the very front of the bowl. Then measure the distance between the bolt holes. Finally, you will want to measure the maximum width of the toilet bowl from one side to the other. With these three measurements, you should be able to find a compatible toilet seat.

How do you remove a toilet seat?

Toilet seats are typically fastened to the toilet with two bolts that pass through the porcelain and are secured with nuts from underneath. To remove the toilet seat, open the bolt caps located at the back of the seat in order to access the bolts. Use a screwdriver to hold the bolt in place while loosening the nut with a set of channel locks. Repeat this process with both bolts to free the toilet seat.

How do you tighten a toilet seat?

Tighten a toilet seat by opening the bolt caps at the back of the seat to access the bolts. Each bolt is secured with a nut. Tighten the toilet seat by using a screwdriver to hold the bolt in place and a set of channel locks to tighten the nut. Repeat with both bolts.

How do you clean a toilet seat?

Keeping your toilet seat clean is important for maintaining a hygienic bathroom. Use a set of rubber gloves to protect your hands and make sure that the room is well-ventilated while working with a bathroom cleaning product. Apply the bathroom cleaning product and scrub the toilet seat with an abrasive sponge or brush. Don't scrub too hard, or you may damage the surface of the toilet seat. Rinse and dry the toilet seat after cleaning.

The 8 Best Toilet Seats of 2022

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When it comes time to replace your toilet seat, you may think that it’s as simple as finding one that fits. But there are actually a lot of styles and features available that can make your porcelain throne more comfortable and easier to use and clean in combo with good toilet cleaner and toilet brushes. The toilet seat makes up the toilet the way a bathroom faucet makes up the sink.

The seat does need to fit, of course, with the shape matching that of your toilet, but there are so many ways you can make it unique. You can also consider what kind of material you want your toilet seat to be made of, with plastic and wood being the two most widely available choices. Finally, consider extra features like a soft-close hinge that will make your toilet seat easier to use and last longer.

Here are the best toilet seats that are easy to install and comfortable to use.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

American Standard Slow-Close Toilet Seat at Lowe's

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Kohler Brevia Quick-Release Elongated Toilet Seat at Wayfair

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Best Elongated:

BEMIS Jamestown Model #1530SLOW 000 at Home Depot

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Best Round:

Kohler Figure Round Toilet Seat at Lowe's

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Best Open Front:

BEMIS Round Plastic Toilet Seat White at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Bidet Toilet Seat:

Bio Bidet Electric Bidet Seat at Home Depot

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Best Heated:

Brondell LumaWarm Heated Nightlight Toilet Seat at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Wood Toilet Seat:

BEMIS Natural Reflections Model #59401NI 568 at Lowe's

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
Why Trust The Spruce

4.5

American Standard Mainstream Elongated Slow-Close Toilet Seat

Courtesy of Lowe's

View On Lowe's

What We Like

Stain, bacteria, and mold resistant material
Slow-close hinge
Budget-friendly

What We Don't Like

Loose hinges

What do buyers say? 700+ Home Depot reviewers rated this product 5 stars.

Shape: Elongated | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 14.87 x 2.87 x 19.12 inches | Weight: Not listed

Longtime reputable bathroom hardware manufacturer American Standard is a popular choice for both toilets and toilet seats for their history of quality products. The Mainstream Elongated Slow Close toilet seat works with most toilets and is made of a plastic material that is resistant to stains, bacteria, and mold, which can help with keeping it clean. It also has a slow-close hinge that will prevent loud slams or pinched fingers. At less than $30, it’s still budget-friendly even with the top-of-the-line features. The hinges themselves can become loose over time, which can result in some seat wiggling.

The 9 Best Toilets for Your Home of 2022

Kohler Brevia Quick-Release Hinges Elongated Toilet Seat

Courtesy of Wayfair

View On Wayfair View On Lowe's View On Kohler.com

What We Like

Numerous colors available
Easy installation
Budget-friendly

What We Don't Like

No soft close

Shape: Elongated | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 0.75 x 14.19 x 18.63 inches | Weight: 4.6 pounds

For a budget-friendly pick that will still hold up well, the Brevia Quick-Release Elongated Toilet Seat from Kohler is a good pick. It is a fairly basic model, without some of the extra features that are commonly found in more expensive toilet seats. But it does use a quick-release hinge system to attach and comes in seven different colors. If you want to find a quality seat for your pressure assisted toilet or plain Jane without breaking the bank, this model from Kohler is just what you need.

Jamestown Adjustable Slow Close Elongated Closed Front Toilet Seat in White

Courtesy of Home Depot

View On Home Depot

What We Like

Adjustable fit
STA-TITE fastener
Quiet close

What We Don't Like

May scratch easily

Shape: Elongated | Material: Enameled wood | Dimensions: 18.81 x 14.37 x 2 inches | Weight: 7.87 pounds

Elongated toilet seats tend to be more popular than their smaller, round counterparts when homeowners have the space. This Jamestown model from BEMIS sets itself apart from others by being adjustable from front to back, including a quiet close hinge, and having an STA-TITE fastening system to make wiggling almost nonexistent. It’s definitely not the cheapest toilet seat available but is still a good value for the price.

The 9 Best Toilets for Your Home of 2022

KOHLER Figure White Round Slow-Close Toilet Seat

Courtesy of Lowe's

View On Lowe's View On Kohler.com

What We Like

Grip-Tight hardware and bumpers
Quiet close

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Shape: Round | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 16.62 x 14.81 x 1.12 inches | Weight: Not listed

The Kohler Figure ReadyLatch Quiet-Close Round-Front Toilet Seat has everything that you need in a toilet seat. Round seats tend to be popular in half baths, smaller bathrooms, and older homes. This toilet seat uses Grip-Tight hardware for installation and Grip-Tight bumpers to keep the seat from sliding while in use. It also has a quiet close to make closing the lid easy and seamless. It is quite expensive at almost $50 but will hold up well over time and a lot of use.

The Best Toilet Bowl Cleaners to Keep Your Latrine Sparkling

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Home Depot

What We Like

Available in round and elongated
Non-corroding hardware

What We Don't Like

Not whisper close

Shape: Round or Elongated | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 15.19 x 14.31 x 1.63 inches | Weight: 3.3 pounds

Open Front toilet seats offer less area for potential messes, which is why they are commonly seen in public and shared restrooms. The Round Plastic Toilet Seat White from BEMIS offers great value and easy cleaning. It comes in both round and elongated shapes, so every homeowner can find one that will work for their toilet. The hardware is all non-corroding, so it won’t need to be replaced anytime soon. However, the toilet seat does not come with any special features and definitely looks more industrial than some other models.

4.6

Electric Bidet Seat for Elongated Toilets in White with Fusion Heating Technology

Courtesy of Home Depot

View On Home Depot

What We Like

Heated seat
Heated water
Nightlight

What We Don't Like

Very expensive
Requires complex installation

Shape: Elongated | Material: Plastic with stainless steel nozzle | Dimensions: 20.8 x 18.5 x 6.8 inches | Weight: 10.4 pounds

For the ultimate toilet experience, consider the BioBidet Electric Bidet seat. The seat itself is heated, as is the water that comes from the bidet nozzle. It also has a nightlight so that even midnight trips to the bathroom go smoothly. It does require all of these extra features to be hooked up to water and power, so be ready for some more complicated installation. As expected, the price tag for this seat is also on the higher end at around $250.

The 7 Best Bidets of 2022 That Are Stylish Too

Brondell L60-RW LumaWarm Heated Nightlight Round Toilet Seat

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Bed Bath & Beyond

What We Like

Four temperature settings
Slow-close lid
Nightlight

What We Don't Like

Needs electricity

Shape: Round | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 18.5 x 14 x 3 inches | Weight: 4.6 pounds

If you want a luxury touch without spending all of your budget on a toilet seat, the Brondell LumaWarm Heated Nightlight Toilet Seat provides one of the most important luxurious features: a heated seat. At just over $100, it is a splurge but not one that will completely break the bank. It has four temperature settings and a blue nightlight for use in the dark. This seat also features a slow-close lid, which is a nice extra detail. It does require a connection to a GFCI outlet, which may not be close to your commode.

Mayfair Natural Reflections Dark Bamboo Round

Courtesy of Lowe's

View On Lowe's

What We Like

Made of solid bamboo
Budget-friendly

What We Don't Like

Metal hinges visible

Shape: Round | Material: Wood | Dimensions: 16.85 x 14.25 x 2.2 inches | Weight: Not listed

If you’re looking for a toilet seat to complement your natural decor, the BEMIS Natural Reflections Model #9401NI 568 in Dark Bamboo looks and performs great. It is made of solid bamboo, which resists warping or cracking common in humid places like the bathroom. The hinge hardware is brushed nickel, which can be jarring since it is so visible in the overall design. This is still a great seat at a decent price, even with the visible hinges.

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Final Verdict

Our top pick is the American Standard Mainstream Elongated Slow Close Toilet Seat (view at Lowe’s). It is a good value, has all of the top features like a slow-close hinge and an easy-to-clean surface. Close seconds are the BEMIS Jamestown Model #1530SLOW 000 (view at Home Depot) for those looking for an elongated seat and the Kohler Figure ReadyLatch Quiet-Close Round-Front Toilet Seat (view at Lowe’s) for a round seat. Both have specialty fasteners that keep the seat in place during use.

Shape

When purchasing a toilet seat, the most important consideration is the shape of your toilet. There are two common shapes: round and elongated. Round toilets are often found in older homes, while elongated toilets are more popular with modern plumbing fixtures. It’s important to know the shape of your toilet, so you can pick a seat that fits.

Material

Toilet seats are typically made of either plastic or wood, and there are pros and cons to each material. Plastic seats tend to be lighter and have a longer lifespan, while wooden seats are sturdy and heavier. Many people also think wooden toilet seats add a touch of luxury to the bathroom.

Soft Close

Does it drive you crazy when you close the toilet seat and it makes a loud noise? If so, you may want to consider a soft-close toilet seat, which is designed to shut slowly and quietly.

FAQ

How do you measure a toilet seat?

In order to find the right size toilet seat for your toilet, use a tape measure to measure from the bolts or bolt holes at the back of the toilet bowl to the very front of the bowl. Then measure the distance between the bolt holes. Finally, you will want to measure the maximum width of the toilet bowl from one side to the other. With these three measurements, you should be able to find a compatible toilet seat.
How do you remove a toilet seat?

Toilet seats are typically fastened to the toilet with two bolts that pass through the porcelain and are secured with nuts from underneath. To remove the toilet seat, open the bolt caps located at the back of the seat in order to access the bolts. Use a screwdriver to hold the bolt in place while loosening the nut with a set of channel locks. Repeat this process with both bolts to free the toilet seat.
How do you tighten a toilet seat?

Tighten a toilet seat by opening the bolt caps at the back of the seat to access the bolts. Each bolt is secured with a nut. Tighten the toilet seat by using a screwdriver to hold the bolt in place and a set of channel locks to tighten the nut. Repeat with both bolts.
How do you clean a toilet seat?

Keeping your toilet seat clean is important for maintaining a hygienic bathroom. Use a set of rubber gloves to protect your hands and make sure that the room is well-ventilated while working with a bathroom cleaning product. Apply the bathroom cleaning product and scrub the toilet seat with an abrasive sponge or brush. Don't scrub too hard, or you may damage the surface of the toilet seat. Rinse and dry the toilet seat after cleaning.

This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. To create this list, she looked for toilet seats that performed well, had top features like soft-close hinges, and fit a variety of budgets.

Additional reporting and research for this article was done by Timothy Dale, a long-time home improvement expert specializing in plumbing, construction, and product recommendations, among other topics.