The Complete Guide to Toilets

The simplest way to save space. A round bowl is 2-3 inches shorter front-to-back than elongated. You keep the same tank, same flush system, same rough-in. The only trade-off is comfort -- round bowls are tighter for adults. For a powder room or half bath that guests use briefly, round is fine. For a primary bathroom you use daily, the comfort difference is noticeable. Best picks: TOTO Drake round (800+ MaP score at 1.28 GPF), Kohler Wellworth round ($150-$200), American Standard Cadet round ($130-$180).

One-piece toilets have the tank and bowl fused into a single unit. They are not actually smaller in footprint than a two-piece, but the seamless profile looks sleeker and takes up less visual space. Easier to clean (no gap between tank and bowl where grime collects). Heavier -- 80-100 pounds vs 50-70 for two-piece. Best compact one-piece: TOTO Ultramax II ($350-$450, elongated but compact 28.4-inch depth), Kohler Santa Rosa ($280-$350), American Standard Boulevard ($300-$400). All are WaterSense certified at 1.28 GPF.

Wall-hung toilets mount to the wall with no base touching the floor. The tank is concealed inside the wall in a steel carrier frame. The bowl projects only 21-22 inches from the wall -- 6-8 inches less than a standard floor-mount. You gain visible floor space, easier mopping, and a modern look. The downsides: expensive ($300-$600 for the bowl plus $300-$500 for the in-wall carrier), requires wall modification for the carrier, and future repairs mean opening the wall. Best for new construction or major renovations where the wall is already open.

Some manufacturers make compact elongated bowls that fit a round-bowl footprint (25-27 inches) but have an elongated shape for comfort. You get the sitting room of an elongated in the space of a round. TOTO Aquia IV ($350-$450) and Kohler Veil ($400-$500) both offer compact elongated options. These are the best choice if you want comfort in a tight space and do not want to go wall-hung.

How to fix a broken, corroded, or low toilet flange so your toilet seals properly.

Complete walkthrough for removing an old toilet and installing a new one.

How wall-hung toilets are installed, including the in-wall carrier frame and concealed tank.

Comparing traditional wax rings and modern wax-free toilet seals -- which to use and when.

How to remove and prevent mineral deposits in your toilet tank, bowl, and jets.

How to diagnose and fix a toilet that rocks, wobbles, or shifts on the floor.

How to replace the two most common toilet parts that cause running, leaking, and phantom flushing.

A simple seasonal checklist to keep every toilet in your home running efficiently and leak-free.

What it costs to relocate a toilet in your bathroom -- drain rerouting, permit fees, and why the distance matters more than the toilet itself.

Compare the real cost of installing a toilet yourself vs hiring a plumber -- labor, parts, time, and when DIY makes sense vs when a pro is worth every dollar.

How much water and money a running toilet wastes per day, month, and year -- and why a $5 flapper fix prevents a $200+ water bill surprise.

What plumbers charge to install a toilet and what factors affect the final price.

What different toilet types actually cost -- from budget two-piece to luxury wall-hung models.

What every common toilet repair costs -- DIY parts vs plumber rates for flappers, fill valves, wax rings, flanges, and when replacement makes more sense than repair.

When to repair your toilet and when replacement is the smarter financial decision.

How upgrading to a water-efficient toilet reduces your water bill and how long it takes to pay back.