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Quick answer from a licensed plumber: Buy the American Standard Cadet PRO Right Height for most accessible bathrooms. It flushes 1.28 gallons, scores 1,000 g on MaP, and American Standard’s sheet says it meets ADA guidelines and ANSI A117.1, at 17 in. tall with a seat. Order the lever on the open side: 215AA105 is right-hand, 215AA104 left-hand. For everything in one box, the Gerber Viper Force. For the lowest water use and the clearest ADA notes, the TOTO Drake II 1G. Height alone does not make a bathroom ADA: the seat top must be 17 to 19 in., with the right side-wall distance and grab bars.
Our pick for most accessible bathrooms: the American Standard Cadet PRO Right Height, with a 1,000 g MaP score and an ADA statement on its sheet. Check the American Standard Cadet PRO 215AA105 on Amazon
An accessible toilet starts with seat height, but the toilet is only one part of an ADA bathroom. This page covers chair-height toilets whose maker documents say something about ADA, what each one actually says, and the rest of the rules a toilet has to meet once it is installed. If you are deciding between chair height and a standard bowl for a home, start with comfort height vs standard toilets. This page is for buyers who already want a chair-height or accessible toilet. Every pick below is listed as EPA WaterSense on its maker’s sheet.
ADA and Chair Height Toilets Compared
| Toilet | Flush | Height (maker) | ADA statement on the maker sheet | MaP (Sept 24 list) | Seat | Lever |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Standard Cadet PRO Right Height 215AA105 | 1.28 gpf | 16-1/2 in. rim; 17 in. with seat, per American Standard | Meets ADA guidelines and ANSI A117.1; check local codes | 1,000 g | Sold separately | Right (215AA104 left) |
| Gerber Viper Force GRS48352 | 1.28 gpf | 17-1/8 in. bowl height, floor to top of bowl, per Gerber’s manual; the seat adds more | “ErgoHeight ADA” name and accessibility symbol; no install conditions | 1,000 g | Included | Left |
| TOTO Drake II 1G CST454CUFG | 1.0 gpf | 16-1/8 in. rim; 17-1/4 in. seat height on the drawing | Complies when installed per section 604: seat 17-19 in., lever on approach side, under 5 lb | 800 g, Premium | Sold separately | Left (CST454CUFRG right) |
| American Standard Cadet PRO Extra Tall 215TA105 | 1.28 gpf | 19 in. rim | None | Not quoted (part numbers differ) | Sold separately | Right (215TA104 left) |
From the American Standard, Gerber and TOTO documents, the MaP list and the 2010 ADA Standards linked below, read on October 3, 2026. Rim height is floor to bowl rim without a seat; seat height includes a seat. Every linked listing was sold by Amazon.com and in stock that day.
How to Choose an ADA or Chair Height Toilet
Know what the height names mean
Each maker has its own name for a taller bowl. American Standard says Right Height or chair height, Kohler says Comfort Height, TOTO says Universal Height and Gerber says ErgoHeight. None of the maker documents we used calls a toilet a handicap toilet. The number that matters is in the 2010 ADA Standards, section 604.4: the seat height “shall be 17 inches (430 mm) minimum and 19 inches (485 mm) maximum measured to the top of the seat.” In residential dwelling units, the Standards allow 15 to 19 inches. The Standards also say seats “shall not be sprung to return to a lifted position.”
Add the seat to the rim height
Most sheets give rim height, measured without a seat. American Standard’s Right Height bowl is 16-1/2 in. at the rim, and American Standard says it measures 17 in. with a seat. TOTO’s drawing shows a 16-1/8 in. rim and a 17-1/4 in. seat height. Gerber’s manual lists a 17-1/8 in. bowl height, floor to top of bowl, so its included seat sits above that. American Standard’s Extra Tall bowl is 19 in. at the rim, so a seat puts it above 19 in. (our arithmetic). Plumber’s note: a thick bidet seat or a seat riser adds height too, and new tile adds height to the finished floor. Measure the seat you will actually install, on the floor that will be there when the job is done.
Height alone does not make it ADA
The Standards set more than seat height. Section 604.2 puts the toilet’s centerline 16 to 18 in. from the side wall. Section 604.3.1 asks for clearance around the toilet at least 60 in. wide measured from the side wall and 56 in. deep from the rear wall. Section 604.5 requires a side-wall grab bar at least 42 in. long and a rear-wall bar at least 36 in. long, and 609.4 mounts them 33 to 36 in. above the floor. Section 604.7 places the paper dispenser 7 to 9 in. in front of the toilet. That is why the maker statements are conditional. American Standard says to “check local codes,” TOTO says “when installed per Section 604,” and Kohler’s sheets say compliant “when installed to the specific requirements” of the regulation. Our round vs elongated guide covers how the clearances affect bowl choice.
Put the lever on the open side
Section 604.6 says hand-operated flush controls “shall be located on the open side of the water closet.” Section 309.4 limits the force to operate them to 5 pounds. TOTO’s sheet repeats both: trip lever on the approach side and actuation force under 5 lbs. So before you order, stand where the user will approach and note which side is open. American Standard and TOTO sell left- and right-hand versions of the picks below. Gerber’s sheet shows a left-hand lever only.
Plan the grab bar blocking now
In residential dwelling units, the Standards let you skip the grab bars if the walls are reinforced so bars can be installed later. Plumber’s note: if the walls are open for the toilet swap, that is the easiest time to add blocking. Trying to find studs for a grab bar through finished tile is a harder job.
American Standard Cadet PRO Right Height 215AA105 Elongated Toilet
1.28 gpf, EPA WaterSense · Cadet flushing system, 3 in. flush valve, PowerWash rim · 2-1/8 in. fully glazed trapway · MaP 1,000 g · 16-1/2 in. rim; American Standard says 17 in. tall with a seat · elongated · 12 in. rough-in · right-hand trip lever (215AA104 is left-hand) · metal trip lever and metal shank fill valve · seat sold separately · lifetime limited chinaware, 5-year limited parts warranty
This is the plainest answer to “which toilet for an accessible bathroom.” American Standard’s sheet carries a barrier-free mark and says the Cadet PRO Right Height “meets the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines and ICC ANSI A117.1 requirements for accessible and usable building facilities” and adds “check local codes.” It lists a 16-1/2 in. rim height “for accessible applications.” American Standard’s product page says the toilet measures 17 in. tall including the seat, with slight variation by seat. MaP lists the 215AA104 at 1,000 g on 1.28 gallons, and American Standard’s sheet says the 215AA105 is the same toilet with the trip lever on the right.
The lever side is the reason to look closely at this listing. The ADA Standards (604.6) put the flush control on the open side of the toilet, the side away from the near wall. The linked 215AA105 has its lever on the right; the 215AA104 is the left-hand version. Pick the one that matches your room. American Standard’s drawing suggests a supply 10 in. above the floor and 6 in. from center. The product page lists a limited lifetime warranty on the chinaware and 5 years on parts. The seat and supply line are sold separately.
- ADA and ANSI A117.1 statement on American Standard’s sheet
- MaP 1,000 g on 1.28 gallons
- Left- or right-hand lever versions
- Metal trip lever and metal shank fill valve, per American Standard
- Linked listing is the right-hand lever version
- Seat and supply line sold separately
- Five-year parts warranty
- Spec sheet revision is dated 6/13
Verdict: The chair-height toilet to buy for an accessible bathroom, as long as the lever ends up on the open side.
Gerber Viper Force GRS48352 ErgoHeight Elongated Toilet
1.28 gpf, EPA WaterSense · 3 in. flush valve, dual-fed siphon jet · 2 in. trapway · MaP 1,000 g · ErgoHeight, 17-1/8 in. bowl height (floor to top of bowl), per Gerber’s manual · elongated · 12 in. rough-in · left-hand front lever · soft-close seat, wax ring, bolt caps and ReadySet kit included · supply line sold separately · lifetime limited china, 5-year limited parts warranty, per Gerber’s manual
Gerber puts “ErgoHeight ADA Elongated Toilet” in the name, and its spec sheet carries the wheelchair accessibility symbol. It is the pick for the person doing the install, because the box holds the bowl, tank, soft-close seat and cover, wax ring, tank-to-bowl hardware, low-profile bolt caps and Gerber’s ReadySet installation kit. Only the supply line is missing. Gerber lists a 1,000 g MaP rating, and MaP’s list agrees.
Gerber’s installation manual lists a 17-1/8 in. bowl height, measured from the floor to the top of the bowl, and the included seat sits on top of that. Where ADA applies, measure the top of the installed seat: it has to land between 17 and 19 in. Unlike the American Standard and TOTO sheets, Gerber’s sheet does not spell out the installation conditions, so the rest of the ADA list is on you: side-wall distance, grab bars and the lever on the open side. The lever is on the left. The drawing puts the 3/8 in. N.P.T. supply 8 in. up and 8 in. left of center. Gerber’s manual lists a lifetime limited warranty on the china and five years on parts, for the original buyer.
- Seat, wax ring and bolt caps in the box
- 17-1/8 in. bowl height, per Gerber’s manual
- MaP 1,000 g on 1.28 gallons
- 3 in. flush valve
- Left-hand lever only on this sheet
- No written ADA install conditions on the sheet
- 2 in. trapway, slightly smaller than the others here
- Parts warranty is five years, per Gerber’s manual
Verdict: The chair-height toilet to buy if you want everything but the supply line in one box.
TOTO Drake II 1G CST454CUFG Universal Height Toilet
1.0 gpf, EPA WaterSense · Tornado Flush · 2-1/8 in. trap diameter · MaP 800 g, MaP Premium · Universal Height: 16-1/8 in. rim, 17-1/4 in. seat height on TOTO’s drawing · elongated · 12 in. rough-in · left-hand lever (CST454CUFRG is right-hand) · CEFIONTECT glaze · seat sold separately · one-year limited warranty
TOTO’s sheet is the most specific of the four about what ADA takes. It says the Drake II 1G “will comply with ADA when installed per Section 604” of the 2010 ADA Standards, with a seat height between 17 and 19 in., the trip lever on the approach side and a flush actuation force of less than 5 lbs. That matches the Standards themselves: 604.4 for the seat, 604.6 for the open-side control and 309.4 for a 5-pound maximum force. TOTO’s drawing shows a 17-1/4 in. seat height on a 16-1/8 in. rim. TOTO sells the CST454CUFRG with the lever on the right.
It is also the low-water pick: 1.0 gallon per flush with TOTO’s Tornado Flush. MaP lists it at 800 g and rates it MaP Premium, which MaP reserves for toilets that score at least 600 g on an effective flush of no more than 1.1 gallons. TOTO adds a condition worth reading before you buy: it says ultra-low high efficiency toilets need adequate flow from other fixtures and a 4 in. drain line with at least a 2% slope and runs of no more than 60 ft. Plumber’s note: in an older house with a long, flat 3 in. drain, pick one of the 1.28-gallon toilets here instead. The warranty is one year, and the seat is sold separately.
- TOTO spells out the ADA install conditions
- 1.0 gallon per flush, MaP Premium
- Left- and right-hand lever versions
- CEFIONTECT glaze, which TOTO says keeps waste from sticking
- MaP 800 g, below the 1,000 g picks
- TOTO’s drain line conditions for a 1.0-gallon flush
- One-year limited warranty
- Seat sold separately
Verdict: The pick for the lowest water use and the clearest written ADA conditions, on a drain line that meets TOTO’s note.
American Standard Cadet PRO Extra Tall 215TA105 Toilet
1.28 gpf, EPA WaterSense · 3 in. flush valve, PowerWash rim · 2-1/8 in. fully glazed trapway · 19 in. rim height · elongated · 12 in. rough-in · right-hand trip lever (215TA104 is left-hand) · seat sold separately · lifetime limited chinaware, 5-year limited mechanical warranty
Some people searching for a handicap toilet want one taller than chair height. American Standard calls the Cadet PRO Extra Tall its tallest toilet, a full 2-1/2 in. “taller than our chair height configurations,” with a 19 in. rim. That suits tall users and people who find a 17 in. seat too low. It is the same Cadet PRO family as the top pick: 1.28 gallons, a 3 in. flush valve and a 2-1/8 in. trapway.
Read this before you buy it for an accessible bathroom. The 2010 ADA Standards set the top of the seat at 17 to 19 in. A 19 in. rim is at that limit before the seat goes on, so with a seat this toilet sits above the ADA range (our arithmetic). American Standard’s Extra Tall sheet carries no ADA statement, unlike its Right Height sheet. Two document notes: the sheet lists a 12 in. rough-in but one note on it says 10 in. minimum, and MaP’s row for the 215TA104 lists different bowl and tank numbers than American Standard’s sheet, so we do not quote a MaP score for it. Plan on a 12 in. rough-in, which the listing title also states.
- 19 in. rim, 2-1/2 in. taller than American Standard’s chair height
- 1.28 gallons with a 3 in. flush valve
- Left- and right-hand lever versions
- Lifetime limited chinaware warranty, per American Standard
- Above the ADA seat range once a seat is on (our arithmetic)
- No ADA statement on its sheet
- No MaP score we could match to this exact bowl and tank
- Too tall for kids and shorter adults
Verdict: Only for tall users in a home where ADA rules do not apply; everyone else should buy the Right Height.
I send an occasional note when a new guide goes up — repairs worth doing yourself, and the parts that actually last. No spam, no course funnel; written by a licensed Georgia plumber.
Before You Buy
- Measure the rough-in. All four picks are 12 in. from the finished wall to the drain center. See how to measure toilet rough-in.
- Measure the side wall. Where ADA applies, the toilet centerline has to land 16 to 18 in. from the side wall.
- Pick the lever side. The lever goes on the open side. Order the left- or right-hand version to match.
- Add up the seat height. Rim height plus the seat you will use should land between 17 and 19 in. where ADA applies.
- Count the parts. Only the Gerber includes a seat and wax ring. All four need a supply line. Seats are covered in best toilet seats.
Installing a Chair Height Toilet
A chair-height toilet installs like any other floor-mount toilet: shut off the water, drain and remove the old toilet, clean the flange, set a new wax ring, then set the bowl and tank. The supply sits higher on some of these drawings than on a standard toilet: American Standard suggests 10 in. above the floor on the Right Height, and Gerber draws 8 in. Our toilet replacement guide covers the whole job, and best toilet supply lines covers the connector.
Plumber’s note: if the old toilet sits too close to a side wall for the 16 to 18 in. centerline, moving it means moving the drain, which is a job for a licensed plumber; ask your local building department whether it needs a permit. For a 1.0-gallon toilet like the Drake II 1G, check the drain against TOTO’s note before you buy. If the flange sits below the finished floor, fix that first; see toilet flange too low.
Want a Kohler? Kohler’s Cimarron K-31621 sheet also lists ADA compliance when installed to the regulation’s requirements, and it has a 16-1/2 in. rim (Kohler Cimarron K-31621 on Amazon). It is the Kohler pick in our best toilet guide. The Highline Pressure Lite K-3519 sheet carries the same ADA note; it is the top pick in our pressure-assist toilet guide.
FAQ
What is the best handicap toilet?
For most accessible home bathrooms, the American Standard Cadet PRO Right Height: 1.28 gallons, a 1,000 g MaP score, and an American Standard sheet that says it meets ADA guidelines and ANSI A117.1. The maker sheets we used do not use the word handicap; they sell chair-height bowls such as Right Height, ErgoHeight and Universal Height, and some sheets say the toilet meets ADA when installed to the rules.
What height is an ADA toilet?
The 2010 ADA Standards (604.4) set the seat height at 17 to 19 inches from the finished floor to the top of the seat. In residential dwelling units the Standards allow 15 to 19 inches. Maker sheets usually list rim height without a seat, so add the seat before you compare.
Is a chair height toilet ADA compliant?
Not by height alone. The Standards also set the toilet centerline 16 to 18 inches from the side wall, clear floor space around it, grab bars on the side and rear walls, and the flush control on the open side. TOTO’s sheet adds a flush force under 5 pounds. Read each maker’s statement: American Standard says its Right Height meets ADA guidelines and to check local codes, and TOTO lists its install conditions.
Which side should the flush handle be on?
The open side, away from the side wall, per section 604.6 of the 2010 ADA Standards. Most models come both ways: American Standard’s 215AA104 is left-hand and 215AA105 right-hand, and TOTO’s CST454CUFG is left-hand and CST454CUFRG right-hand.
Do I need grab bars with an ADA toilet?
In a public or commercial ADA bathroom, yes: a side-wall bar at least 42 inches long and a rear bar at least 36 inches long, mounted 33 to 36 inches above the floor. In residential dwelling units the Standards allow the bars to be left off if the walls are reinforced so they can be added later. Our round vs elongated guide covers the clearances around the toilet.
Why Trust Plumbing Picks
Plumbing Picks is written by a licensed Georgia journeyman plumber. Every spec here comes from the maker documents and the MaP list linked below, or from the Amazon listings we link; nothing comes from hands-on testing. On October 3, 2026, every linked listing was sold by Amazon.com and in stock. If you buy through a link we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nobody pays to be included here. More on who writes this and how we pick.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Justice: 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (sections 309.4, 604 and 609.4)
- American Standard: Cadet PRO Right Height 215AA.104 / 215AA.105 spec sheet, product page
- Gerber: Viper Force GRS48352 spec sheet (09/25), installation manual
- TOTO: Drake II 1G CST454CUF(R)(G) spec sheet SS-00892, product page
- American Standard: Cadet PRO Extra Tall 215TA104 / 215TA105 spec sheet (6/24), product page
- Kohler: Cimarron K-31621 specification sheet (6-8-2024)
- MaP Toilet Testing: tank-type toilet list dated September 24, 2026, MaP PREMIUM criteria
- Amazon listings for the American Standard 215AA105 and 215TA105, Gerber GRS48352, TOTO CST454CUFG and Kohler K-31621 (linked above)
Bottom Line
For an accessible bathroom, the American Standard Cadet PRO Right Height is the one to buy, in the lever hand that puts the flush on the open side. The Gerber Viper Force comes with the seat and wax ring, the TOTO Drake II 1G uses 1.0 gallon and spells out its ADA conditions, and the Cadet PRO Extra Tall is for tall users where ADA rules do not apply. Measure the seat height with the seat on, the side-wall distance and the rough-in before you order.