How to Buy a Toilet
The complete buying guide — from measuring your space to choosing the perfect flush.
Measure your rough-in first (usually 12"). Pick a type — one-piece or two-piece are the most common. Then, identify ideal bowl shape round or elongated and seat height, comfort or standard. Most adults choose an elongated bowl with comfort height. Then add the features — bidet, soft-close, touchless — that make it yours.
Start here:
the 6 decisions
Smart toilets are designed and engineered in-house — integrated bidet cleansing, heated seats and hands-free flushing, without the traditional luxury markup.
- Step 1
How much space do I have?
Measure your rough-in, footprint, and outlet.
- Step 2
What type of toilet fits my bathroom and my style?
One-piece, two-piece, wall-hung, and smart toilets.
- Step 3
What shape and height are most comfortable?
Elongated vs. round; standard vs. comfort height.
- Step 4
How much water does the toilet use?
Flush technology, GPF, and single vs. dual flush.
- Step 5
Which features do I actually want?
Bidet, touchless, soft-close, and more.
- Step 6
Does it match the rest of my bathroom?
Finish, silhouette, and a coordinated look.
Measure your space
Before you fall in love with a design, make sure it will physically fit. Three quick measurements save you from a return.
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12" standard
Rough-in size
The distance from the finished back wall to the center of the drainpipe (the bolts that hold the toilet down). Standard is 12 inches, but older or space-constrained bathrooms may use 10 or 14. A toilet built for a 12" rough-in won't sit correctly on a 10" pipe.
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Base match or exceed
Footprint
The area where the base meets the floor. Replacing a toilet? Measure its footprint and choose a model that matches or slightly exceeds it, so the new base covers any un-tiled or discolored flooring.
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Floor or wall
Outlet type
The direction waste leaves the toilet — down through the floor (by far the most common) or back through the wall (typical of wall-hung and some back-to-wall models). Confirm which your plumbing is set up for before choosing a type.
Also note your water supply location (usually the lower-left of the toilet) and the distance from side walls — codes generally call for at least 15 inches from the center of the toilet to any side wall or fixture, and about 21–24 inches of clearance in front.
Choose your toilet type
Toilet “type” refers to how the tank and bowl are constructed and mounted. It’s the biggest driver of both installation effort and overall look.
| Type | What it is | Best for | Install effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Piece | Tank and bowl molded as a single, seamless unit. | Easy cleaning with a sleek look | Low–Moderate |
| Two-Piece | Separate tank and bowl assembled at install — the most common style in the U.S. | Value, easy shipping, replaceable parts. | Low |
| Wall-Hung | Bowl mounts to the wall over an in-wall carrier and concealed tank. | Modern baths, small spaces, easy floor cleaning. | High |
| Back-to-Wall | Sits on the floor but hides the tank and carrier inside the wall. | A concealed-tank look with floor-mounted stability. | Moderate–High |
| Tankless | No visible tank; a sleek low profile design | Ultra-modern, minimalist bathrooms. | Low - Moderate |
| Integrated Tank | Fully concealed tank inside one smooth silhouette. | A clean one-piece look with a standard floor install. | Low–Moderate |
Most shoppers land on a one-piece or two-piece toilet. Choose one-piece for the easiest cleaning and a more contemporary, seamless line; choose two-piece for the best value and simplest installation. If a clean, floating, ultra-modern look is the goal — and you’re comfortable with in-wall plumbing — a wall-hung toilet is worth the extra installation investment.
Pick your bowl shape & height
Bowl shape
an oval bowl (roughly 31″ front to back) that most adults find more comfortable. The most popular choice for primary bathrooms.
a more compact bowl (roughly 28″) that saves several inches. Ideal for powder rooms and tight spaces.
a sharp, architectural silhouette for design-forward bathrooms.
Bowl height
Standard height
Seat around 15 inches from the floor. A natural fit for children and shorter users.
Comfort height
Also called chair height. Aligns with ADA guidelines and is easier to sit down on and rise from — the go-to for most adults, taller users, and aging in place.
For a primary bathroom used by adults, an elongated bowl at comfort height is the most universally comfortable combination. For a small powder room, a round bowl at standard height keeps the footprint tight.
Understand flush performance
A toilet is only as good as its flush. Two things matter here: how much water it uses, and the technology that moves waste out cleanly on the first try.
Water use (GPF) and WaterSense
GPF stands for gallons per flush. Federal law caps toilets at 1.6 GPF. A WaterSense model at 1.28 GPF or less uses at least 20% less water without sacrificing performance — which lowers your water bill and may qualify for local rebates.
Single flush
One consistent water volume for every flush. Simple and reliable.
Dual flush
A half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste, so you use only the water you need. The most water-efficient everyday choice.
| Technology | How it works | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Gravity/ Washdown | The force of the water flowing into the bowl pushes waste through the trapway. | Quiet, dependable, few moving parts. |
| Siphonic | The trapway fills and creates a vacuum that pulls waste out of the bowl. | Strong waste removal, a cleaner bowl. |
| Elite™ Flush | Swiss Madison’s patented vacuum-assisted system that uses less water while keeping consistent power. | High efficiency without losing flush strength. |
| Vortex™ | Dual nozzles create a whirlpool action that rinses the entire bowl surface. | A cleaner bowl with every flush. |
Choose your features
Features are where a toilet goes from functional to a genuine upgrade. Add the ones that fit how you live:
Built-in bidet
a more hygienic, paper-saving clean. Integrated smart toilets add warm water, adjustable pressure, and drying.
Touchless flush
wave to flush; the sensor selects half or full automatically. Fewer germs, fewer fingerprints.
Heated seat & night light
small comforts that make a primary or en-suite bath feel considered.
Soft-close seat
the lid lowers slowly and silently instead of slamming.
Match the rest of your bathroom
The last decision is the one people feel every day: does it look like it belongs? A skirted toilet hides the trapway behind a smooth, continuous side — cleaner to look at and far easier to wipe down — while a non-skirted model shows the traditional contoured curves. From there, coordinate the silhouette and finish with your vanity, faucets, and hardware so the room reads as one intentional design rather than a collection of parts.
This is exactly where Swiss Madison is built to win: a premium, coordinated look at an attainable price. Because we design in New York and sell direct — cutting out the traditional retail markup — you get the elevated aesthetic of a luxury brand without overpaying for it, and without settling for a mismatched, builder-grade fixture.
Installing your new toilet
A straightforward toilet swap is a very achievable DIY project for a confident homeowner; wall-hung and concealed-tank installs are best left to a plumber. If you’re doing it yourself, these tips keep it clean and leak-free:
Shut off the water supply line before you begin, and keep a bucket and rags within reach.
Use a sponge to remove the water left in the tank and bowl after you drain them.
Keep an adjustable wrench handy for stubborn supply-line and tank connections.
Carefully cut through the old caulk line and remove the old wax seal completely.
Set the new toilet down on a towel to protect both the floor and the porcelain.
Wrap plumber’s tape around the supply-line threads to guard against drips.
Seal visible gaps with 100% silicone caulk — but leave the back edge open so any hidden leak can escape and be spotted.
Toilet terms, defined
- Rough-in
- Distance from the finished wall to the center of the drain — usually 12″ (also 10″ or 14″).
- GPF
- Gallons per flush. Lower is more efficient; 1.28 GPF or less earns WaterSense certification.
- WaterSense
- An EPA label for fixtures that are at least 20% more water-efficient than the federal standard.
- Trapway
- The curved channel that carries waste from the bowl to the drain. Skirted designs conceal it.
- Comfort height
- A taller seat (~17–19″) that meets ADA guidance; easier to sit and stand.
- Footprint
- The floor area the base of the toilet covers.
- Skirted
- A smooth outer side that hides the trapway for a cleaner look and easier cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What size toilet do I need?
Is an elongated or round toilet better?
What is comfort height, and do I need it?
How many gallons per flush should a toilet use?
What’s the difference between a one-piece and two-piece toilet?
Are wall-hung toilets worth it?
Can I install a toilet myself?
Ready to find your toilet?
You know your rough-in, your type, your shape and height, and the flush and features you want. Now explore the Swiss Madison collection and find the toilet that fits your space — and your style — perfectly.
