Author: Larry Palmer
Contents
However, not all toilets are made the same. They are designed with weight limits, and a standard toilet may not be what you need.
Not only do toilets have weight limits, but so do toilet seats. If you’ve ever experienced a broken toilet, you know it’s not a fun situation.
So, we decided to delve a little deeper into the subject of how much weight can a toilet hold…
The Average Toilet Weight Limit
So, how much weight can a toilet hold?
If you’re heavy or have loved ones that are, it could be beneficial for you to know the standard toilet weight limit.
Obviously you don’t want any accidents in the bathroom that involve a toilet giving way beneath someone. The weight limit of your toilet depends on the style of toilet you have: a wall hung toilet or a floor mounted toilet.
Floor Mounted (Floating) Toilet Weight Limit
Floor mounted toilets, on average, can handle a weight limit of approximately 1,000 pounds. This is the average for a standard size toilet.
Toilets specifically made for heavier people can sometimes handle more weight than this. This is just for the toilet; it doesn’t include the toilet seat weight limit or the raised toilet seat weight limit.
Wall Mounted Toilet Weight Limit
The weight limit for wall hung toilets is different from that of a floor mounted model. The average weight limit for a standard wall mounted toilet is 500 pounds.
If you’re wondering why the difference between the two, the answer lies in the way it is mounted. The floor can simply handle more weight than the side of the wall.
Is the Standard Toilet Weight Limit Enough?
The maximum weight limit for a toilet is the static weight limit. It doesn’t account for movement onto or off of the toilet. What that means for you is that the standard toilet weight limits may not be substantial enough to safely hold someone of above average weight.
It’s particularly difficult to say whether the average weight limit would be enough for a wall mounted toilet.
Floor mounted models tend to be more stable than the wall mounted style. It’s a simple matter of the fact that there is more there to hold and support a floor mounted toilet than a wall mounted one.
What about Camping and RV Toilet Weight Limit?
This group of toilets is in a whole other category. Most brands are designed to hold up to 300 lbs, while some go up to 400 or even 500 lbs. Give this a read if you’re looking for an RV toilet for a heavy person.
Weight Limits of Some Popular Toilet Brands
Interestingly enough, there are no national standards for toilet weight limits. However, there are unofficial weight limits.
Most floor mounted toilets have a weight limit of 1,000 pounds and wall hung toilet have a weight limit of 500 pounds. That being said, not every toilet manufacturer follows the same guidelines; instead, they set their own.
Kohler
Kohler gives the weight limits for their products on the support section of their website. They give ratings for floor mounted toilets, wall mounted toilets, wall mounted lavatories, and urinals.
Their floor mounted and wall mounted toilets follow the standard 1,000 pounds and 500 pounds. Wall mounted lavatories can handle 250 pounds, and urinals can sustain up to 50 pounds.
Toto
Toto doesn’t give clear statements of the weight limits their products can handle. However, based on customer reviews, it would seem that they have similar limits to the Kohler products.
Several of the reviewers in question weighed above 300 pounds and were satisfied with their products, so it would seem that the products have an adequate weight limit.
American Standard
There is little information known about the weight limits associated with American Standard toilets. They do disclose that the maximum wall mounted toilet weight limit is 500 pounds.
Like Toto, reviews indicate that the toilets are sturdy, and they likely hold at least 1,000 pounds if not slightly more.
Why Don’t Brands Disclose Toilet Weight Limit?
You would think with the statistics for the prevalence of obesity, that toilet companies would disclose the weight limits of their products. However, they don’t, and it is unknown why.
When you research different toilets, you will learn all manner of information, but not the weight limit.
Toilets for Fat People
If you’re a fairly large person, you may be feeling a little concerned to know there is a limit to how much weight can a toilet hold. To ease your mind, we’ve reviewed and ranked the top toilets for fat people, if you want to give that a read.
FAQ – How Much Weight Can a Toilet Support
Can you break a toilet by sitting on it?
Unless the toilet was compromised in some other way, you shouldn’t be able to break a toilet simply by sitting on it. The majority of toilets, especially floor mounted ones, can hold weights far above what most of the heaviest people weigh.
How much weight can a toilet seat hold?
It depends on the seat for how much weight it can hold. There are some that are rated up to 1,000 pounds, but most standard toilet seats are rated for around 250-300 pounds. If you’d like to check it out, we’ve reviewed and rated the best toilet seats for a heavy person right here.
What is the lifespan of a toilet?
Under average conditions, and with proper maintenance, a toilet can feasibly last up to 50 years.
Can you use a new toilet right away?
Many professional plumbers and installation experts recommend waiting a minimum of 3 days before using a newly installed toilet. The toilet needs time to settle before additional weight is added to it.
Final Thoughts – How Much Weight Can a Toilet Hold
If you’re wondering how much weight can a toilet hold, the answer varies.
The brand, materials, and mounting style of the toilet are the main factors contributing to the weight it can hold. Most wall hung toilets can hold about 500 pounds, while their floor mounted counterparts can hold up to 1,000 pounds of static weight.
Keep in mind that these limits refer to the toilet itself and do not include the toilet seat. Those are rated separately from the toilets even if the unit is sold as a combination unit.
There are also no national standards for the weight limit of toilets; each manufacturer determines its own criteria.
