Toilet stool height: how high should a toilet stool be?

What a toilet stool does

A toilet stool is a footrest that sits in front of the toilet. Resting the feet on it raises the knees while you sit. An NHS hospital leaflet on bowel habits says that, ideally, the knees should be slightly higher than the hips, and that a small footstool can help when the seat is high.

It is a simple posture aid. It is not a treatment for constipation or any other condition. If bowel habits have changed, talk to a clinician rather than relying on a stool.

The same leaflet suggests sitting with the knees about hip distance apart and leaning forward with the forearms resting on the thighs. A stool simply makes that position easier to hold when the toilet is high for the person using it.

• Raises the feet so the knees sit a little higher
• Helpful when the toilet seat is high for the user
• A posture aid only, not a treatment
• Changes in bowel habits need a clinician's advice

How high should a toilet stool be for your toilet?

Start by measuring from the floor to the top of the toilet seat. Most toilet seats, standard and comfort height alike, sit 15 to 19 inches (38-48 cm) above the floor, according to NBC Select, citing the ADA and the toilet maker Kohler. Squatty Potty's sizing guide splits that range in two: its 7-inch stools for standard toilets of about 14 to 16 inches, and its 9-inch stools for comfort-height toilets of about 16.5 to 18 inches.

Higher is not always better. A stool that is too tall can make it harder to stand up, especially for someone with stiff hips or knees. NBC Select also notes that taller people often do better with a shorter stool, and shorter people with a taller one, because leg length changes how high the knees end up.

If the home has more than one toilet, measure each one. Comfort-height toilets are common in newer bathrooms, while older ones are often lower. A stool that suits one may sit too high or too low at the other.

• Measure floor to top of seat, with any raised seat fitted
• Between sizes or tall? Try the lower stool first
• If standing up gets harder, the stool is too high

How the two Squatty Potty stools compare

Both picks come from Squatty Potty and both curve around the toilet base. The Simple is a one-piece plastic stool at one height. The Bamboo Flip turns over to give two heights, which helps in a home with different toilets.

The trade-offs are weight capacity and handling. The Simple is lighter and rated lower; the Bamboo Flip needs assembly and flipping. Width matters in a small bathroom: measure the space in front of the toilet and check that the door still opens freely with the stool in place.

Safety: avoid trips and never stand on it

A footstool on the bathroom floor is something to trip over, especially at night. Curved stools tuck around the toilet base when not in use, which keeps the floor clear. Make it a habit to push it back each time.

These stools are footrests. They are not steps, so never stand on one to reach a shelf or a window.

Watch for a stool sliding on a wet floor. Squatty Potty describes the Simple as having an anti-slip top and stabilizing feet, but any stool can move on water. Wipe up spills and check the stool sits firmly before use.

• Push the stool back around the toilet base after use
• Use a night light so the stool is visible
• Never stand on it or use it as a step
• Check the weight rating covers the user

Setup, cleaning and storage

The Simple stool arrives in one piece. The Bamboo Flip needs assembly before use, so tighten every fixing and check it sits flat. Ask a family member to help if bending or gripping a screwdriver is hard.

Wipe the stool with a mild cleaner when you clean the toilet. For bamboo, dry it after cleaning so water does not sit on the surface.

Store the stool in the same place every time. A fixed spot around the toilet base helps people with memory or vision changes know where it is, and keeps it out of walking paths.

• Assemble on a table, not on the bathroom floor
• Check that all feet sit flat before first use
• Wipe with a mild cleaner; dry bamboo well
• Replace a stool that cracks, wobbles or slides

When to ask for personal advice

Talk to a clinician or pharmacist if bowel habits change, if there is pain or bleeding, or if constipation keeps coming back. A stool may help comfort, but it does not address the cause.

If getting on and off the toilet is the real difficulty, an occupational therapist can look at seat height and support first.

Bring the toilet height and any recent changes to the appointment. Simple details like these help the clinician or therapist give practical advice.

• New or lasting bowel changes: see a clinician
• Pain or bleeding: get medical advice promptly
• Trouble standing up: ask about seat height and rails
• Medicines can affect bowels: ask a pharmacist