The best toilet paper holder for most bathrooms is the Moen Align YB0408, a zinc pivoting holder that ships with its own anchors and a mounting template. Choose the Delta Trinsic 75950 if you want an open single arm that you load from the end. Choose the Kohler Components K-78382 if your faucet and towel bars are already Kohler and you want the finish to match.
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The holder is the cheap part. Where you put it matters more. Before you drill, know where the front of the bowl lands. Our toilet rough-in guide shows how to measure from the wall, and the bowl length changes where the holder belongs.
Quick comparison
| Check | Moen Align YB0408 | Delta Trinsic 75950 | Kohler Components K-78382 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Pivoting arm, two posts | Single post, open arm, fixed | Pivoting arm |
| Material | Zinc | See Delta spec sheet | Zinc and brass |
| Size | See Moen spec sheet | 7 in wide, 3-5/16 in from wall, 1-1/8 in tall | See Kohler spec sheet |
| Mounting | Posts screw to included anchors; template included | Bracket, screws and template included | Template included |
| Finishes | CH, BN, BL, BG | Six, incl. chrome, matte black, stainless | CP, BN, BL, 2MB, TT |
| Skip it if | You want a one-hand roll swap | You need the arm to point left | Your other trim is a different brand |
| Exact purchase | Check the Moen YB0408BN (brushed nickel) on Amazon → | Check the Delta 75950 (polished chrome) on Amazon → | Check the Kohler K-78382-CP on Amazon → |
BEST OVERALL · PIVOTING · ANCHORS INCLUDED
Moen Align YB0408: solid, simple, and easy to hang
Choose it when you want a two-post holder that looks clean and holds up. Moen’s Align YB0408 technical specification (xrefs2.plumbersstock.com) lists zinc construction and four finishes: chrome (YB0408CH), brushed nickel (BN), matte black (BL) and brushed gold (BG). The arm pivots out to change the roll. On October 14, 2026 the chrome YB0408CH had no in-stock Amazon offer, so our link goes to the brushed nickel YB0408BN; the matte black YB0408BL was also in stock.
The install is the reason it is our top pick. The box includes posts, setscrews, screws, anchors and a paper template. You drill two 1/4 in holes at each post, tap the anchors flush, screw the posts on, then slide the holder over and lock the setscrews. Moen recommends the horizontal hole pattern for drywall.
Skip it if you want to drop a roll on with one hand. The pivot arm takes two hands. If the rest of your bath is Align, though, this is the one to buy.
BEST OPEN ARM · SINGLE POST
Delta Trinsic 75950: slide the roll on from the end
Choose it when you want the fastest roll change. Delta’s Trinsic 75950 page (deltafaucet.com) lists it at 7 in wide, 3-5/16 in deep from the wall and 1-1/8 in tall. It comes in six standard finishes, including chrome, matte black, stainless and champagne bronze. Our link is the polished chrome 75950.
Delta includes a mounting bracket, screws and a template. For tile or masonry it recommends plastic or lead anchors. For plaster or drywall without wood blocking, it recommends toggle bolts. A replacement bracket is Delta part RP100079 if you ever lose one.
Skip it if you need the open end of the arm to point left. Delta says the bar cannot be flipped and is offered only with the arm pointing right. Stand where it will mount and picture which way you will slide the roll on before you order.
BEST FOR KOHLER BATHS · FIVE FINISHES
Kohler Components K-78382: match a Kohler faucet suite
Choose it when your faucet, shower trim or towel bars are Kohler and you want the metal to match. Kohler’s K-78382 spec sheet (resources.kohler.com) lists zinc and brass construction and five finishes: polished chrome (CP), vibrant brushed nickel (BN), matte black (BL), vibrant brushed moderne brass (2MB) and vibrant titanium (TT). An installation template is included. Our link is the polished chrome K-78382-CP.
Kohler’s spec sheet also carries a warning worth repeating. Do not install the holder where someone might use it as a grab bar. It is not built to hold a person’s weight.
Skip it if nothing else in the room is Kohler. Mixing brands with the same finish name can still look off, as covered below.
Wall, recessed or freestanding toilet paper holder
Wall mounted holders are what most people should buy. They go on any finished wall, tile or drywall, with screws and anchors. All three picks above are wall mounted.
Recessed holders sit inside the wall cavity, so nothing sticks out to catch a knee. They suit narrow bathrooms and commercial-style restrooms. A recessed holder needs a stud bay that is empty at that height. Before you cut, find the studs and shut off and check for any water line, drain, vent, wire or duct in that bay. A wall behind a toilet or vanity often has pipe in it. Plan recessed holders during a remodel, when the wall is open, and frame the opening to the maker’s rough-in size.
Freestanding stands need no drilling. They work for renters, for a wall that is all tile you do not want to drill, and for a bathroom where the side wall is too far away. Pick a stand with a heavy, wide base so it does not tip when you tug a sheet. Keep it out of the path around the toilet so it does not get kicked or splashed during cleaning.
Mounting height and distance from the toilet
There is no plumbing code height for a home toilet paper holder. The best guide is the 2010 ADA Standards, which apply to public restrooms. The U.S. Access Board’s guide to ADA toilet rooms (access-board.gov) (section 604.7) sets these rules:
| Measurement | ADA rule | What it means at home |
|---|---|---|
| Distance in front of the toilet | Dispenser centerline 7 in to 9 in beyond the leading edge of the water closet | Measure from the front edge of the bowl, not from the wall |
| Height | 15 in to 48 in above the floor, measured to the dispenser outlet | Wide range; pick a height you reach without twisting |
| Next to a grab bar | At least 1-1/2 in below the grab bar, or at least 12 in above it | Do not crowd the bar or block a hand on it |
| Paper flow | Must allow continuous paper flow and not control delivery | Avoid holders that meter one sheet at a time |
Here is a simple way to place one at home. Sit on the closed lid. Reach down and slightly forward with the hand on the holder side. Mark where your hand falls comfortably. Check that mark against the table above, then confirm the toilet lid, tank and seat clear the holder when they open.
If the bathroom is being set up for someone with limited mobility, plan the grab bar first and the holder second. Our ADA chair height toilet guide covers bowl height and clearances.
Anchors and blocking
A toilet paper holder gets yanked a few times a day. The anchor is what keeps it on the wall.
- Wood blocking is best. If the wall is open, add a flat 2x block between the studs at holder height. Then the screws bite wood and no anchor is needed.
- A stud is the next best. If one lands where the holder goes, use it.
- Drywall without blocking: use the anchors supplied, or toggle bolts as Delta recommends for drywall and plaster. Plain push-in plastic anchors loosen over time in soft drywall.
- Tile: drill with a carbide or diamond bit, on slow speed, with tape over the spot so the bit does not walk. Delta recommends plastic or lead anchors in tile and masonry. Drill through the grout line only if the holder layout allows it.
Use the paper template. Level it, tape it, and mark through it. Most bad installs come from guessing the post spacing.
Before you drill: the wall beside a toilet can hide a supply line, and the wall behind it can hide the vent and drain. Do not drill deeper than you need. If you hit water, shut the main and call a licensed plumber.
Matching the finish
Finish names do not travel across brands. One maker’s brushed nickel can look warmer or cooler than another’s, and black can be matte or satin. If you want a perfect match, buy the holder from the same brand and collection as the faucet. That is why the Kohler pick is here.
Each maker uses a finish code on the end of the model number. Moen uses CH for chrome and BN for brushed nickel. Kohler uses CP for polished chrome and BN for vibrant brushed nickel. Read the code on your faucet box or spec sheet and match it. A matching toilet seat hinge helps too; see our toilet seat guide.
Toilet paper holder FAQ
How high should a toilet paper holder be?
The ADA standard puts the dispenser outlet 15 to 48 inches above the floor. That rule is for public restrooms, not homes, but it is a sensible range. In a home, set it where a seated person can reach it without leaning or twisting.
How far from the toilet should a toilet paper holder be?
Under the ADA guide, the centerline of the dispenser sits 7 to 9 inches in front of the leading edge of the toilet bowl. Mount it on the side wall, not behind the toilet, so you can reach it while seated.
Can I hang a toilet paper holder on drywall without a stud?
Yes, with the right anchor. Moen supplies anchors with the Align holder, and Delta recommends toggle bolts for plaster or drywall when there is no wood blocking. Blocking behind the wall is the strongest option if the wall is open.
Should a toilet paper holder be near a grab bar?
Keep it clear of the bar. The ADA guide calls for at least 1-1/2 inches below a grab bar or at least 12 inches above it. Never use a paper holder as a support. Kohler warns against installing its holders where someone may use them as a grab bar.
Recessed or wall mounted toilet paper holder: which is better?
Wall mounted is easier and works on any wall. Recessed is cleaner looking in a tight bathroom but needs an empty stud bay with no pipe, wire or duct in it. Plan a recessed holder before the walls are closed.
How we chose
This is a document-based comparison from a licensed plumber’s point of view. We read the maker spec sheets and product pages for the exact models named here, and the U.S. Access Board’s ADA guide for placement. We favored solid metal holders from faucet makers that publish their mounting hardware and finish codes. Sources were read October 14, 2026; sellers and availability change. We do not publish prices and did not test these products ourselves. More about our selection method and Plumbing Picks.
Primary sources
- Moen Align YB0408 technical specification (PDF, retailer-hosted copy) (xrefs2.plumbersstock.com): zinc construction, finishes, included anchors, 1/4 in holes, drywall hole pattern.
- Delta Trinsic 75950 product page (deltafaucet.com): dimensions, finishes, included hardware, anchor advice, right-facing arm, RP100079 bracket.
- Kohler K-78382 spec sheet (PDF) (resources.kohler.com): zinc and brass, finishes, template, grab bar warning.
- Kohler Components K-78382 product page (kohler.com): model and finish listing.
- U.S. Access Board guide to ADA toilet rooms (access-board.gov): 604.7 dispenser location, height, grab bar clearance and continuous flow.