How to Choose a Toilet Bowl That Fits Your Bathroom in Singapore
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The design is the fun part. The part that decides whether a toilet bowl fits is hidden behind it: the waste outlet. Get that right first and you can choose almost any style you like.
The short version: check whether your outlet is in the floor or the wall, then measure it. In Singapore, floor outlets are usually quoted in inches, with 6" (150mm) and 10" (250mm) being the most common. A pan collar lets a bowl shift by an inch or two, and a P-trap bowl with a bend pan collar can also sit on a floor outlet. So you have more options than most people think.
Floor outlet or wall outlet?
Look behind your current toilet bowl.
- If the waste pipe goes down into the floor, you have a floor outlet. This is the most common layout in HDB flats.
- If the waste pipe goes back into the wall, you have a wall outlet. You see this more in condos, landed homes and some newer flats.
How to measure
Floor outlet: find the centre of the waste hole in the floor, then measure straight back to the wall behind the toilet. Measure to the tiles, not the skirting. This distance is called the rough-in, trap distance or pit distance.
Wall outlet: measure from the finished floor up to the centre of the waste hole in the wall. Most P-trap bowls are made for an outlet around 180mm high, so check the height listed for the bowl you like.
If the old bowl is still in place, the outlet is hidden under it. Your contractor can measure once it is removed, or send us a photo of the bowl from the side and we will help you work it out.
Common sizes in Singapore
| Floor outlet distance | In mm (approx.) | How common |
|---|---|---|
| 4 inches | 100mm | Also found |
| 6 inches | 150mm | One of the most common |
| 8 inches | 200mm | Also found |
| 10 inches | 250mm | One of the most common |
| 12 inches | 300 to 305mm | Also found |
Every home is different, especially if the bathroom has been renovated before, so always measure yours rather than going by the flat type.
What is a pan collar?
A pan collar is the short connector that joins the outlet at the back or bottom of the toilet bowl to the waste pipe. It is what makes a bowl flexible:
- Offset collar: lets an S-trap bowl sit a little closer to or further from the wall. A 1" collar shifts it about 1 inch either way; a 2" collar about 2 inches. So a 6" S-trap bowl can suit an outlet anywhere from about 4" to 8".
- Bend collar: turns a P-trap bowl downward so it connects to a floor outlet. This is how a P-trap bowl goes onto a floor outlet, and it works well for short distances where an S-trap bowl will not fit.
- Straight collar: connects a P-trap bowl straight back to a wall outlet.
Pan collars are often sold separately. Many of our listings say "pan collar not included", so check before you plan the installation.
Which bowl fits your outlet?
| Your outlet | Options |
|---|---|
| Floor, about 2" to 7.5" (50 to 190mm) | A P-trap bowl with a bend pan collar, such as the E+NT Toyo or Hybrid. A 6" S-trap bowl with an offset collar also covers roughly 4" to 8". |
| Floor, about 8" to 12" (200 to 305mm) | A 10" S-trap bowl with an offset collar if needed, or a bowl made for a 305mm rough-in such as the TOTO C636, C769 or C889. |
| Floor, anywhere from 2" to 12" | Some bowls are designed for the full range with the right pan collar, such as the E+NT Eddy and Oatis. |
| Wall | A P-trap bowl with a straight pan collar, for example TOTO models made for a 180mm P-trap such as the CW632PJ, Alisei and Le Muse. |
Each product page lists the rough-in the bowl is made for, so compare it with your measurement.
Then choose the style
- One piece: bowl and cistern in a single piece, with no gap between them to clean.
- Two piece or close coupled: the cistern sits on the bowl. Usually more affordable.
- Wall faced: sits flush against the wall with nothing behind it to gather dust.
- Wall hung: mounted on the wall with a concealed cistern, so the floor below is clear. It needs a wall outlet and a concealed cistern frame, so it is best planned during a renovation.
A few features worth paying for
- Rimless bowl: no hidden rim for dirt to hide under, so it is far easier to clean.
- A good flush on less water: look for a WELS rating of 2 ticks or more. TOTO Tornado Flush and American Standard Double Vortex are designed to clear the bowl well on a small flush.
- Easy-clean glaze: such as TOTO Cefiontect.
- Soft closing seat: no more slamming.
Browse our toilet bowls to compare sizes and styles.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a P-trap toilet bowl on a floor outlet?
Yes. With a bend pan collar, a P-trap bowl can connect to a floor outlet. It is a common solution when the outlet is very close to the wall and a standard S-trap bowl will not fit.
My measurement is between two sizes. What now?
Measure again to the tiles, not the skirting. If it still falls between sizes, an offset pan collar can usually shift the bowl by 1 to 2 inches. Send us a photo and your measurement and we will suggest what fits.
Do I need to hack the floor to change my toilet bowl?
Usually not. As long as the new bowl suits your outlet position, with the right pan collar, it can go onto the existing outlet.
Who should install it?
Our in-house installation team can supply and install your new toilet bowl for you.
Get help choosing
Not sure what fits? Bring a photo and your measurements to any Lucky Khoon showroom and our team will help you pick the right model. We are an authorised dealer for the brands we carry, and our in-house installation team can supply and install for you.
- Enterprise One: 1 Kaki Bukit Road 1 #01-01 to #01-05, Singapore 415934. Bathroom and kitchen: +65 6346 2172
- Tradehub 21: 24 Boon Lay Way #01-72/73, Singapore 609969. Bathroom and kitchen: +65 6795 1862
- TOTO Boutique, Oxley Bizhub: 61 Ubi Road 1 #01-10, Singapore 408727. Tel: +65 6320 3778
Opening hours are on our contact page.
