How to Install a New Toilet Seat

No one likes to be pinched by a cracked seat! Read on to learn how to install a brand new toilet seat so you can sit without fear.

EditSteps

1

Take measurements. Measure the old seat or the toilet bowl and seat fastening bolt mounting centers to be sure the replacement will be a good fit.
- The size and spacing of mounting holes for most modern toilets are standard, as is the width of the seat (with small variations). The most important thing to know is if your seat is “round” or “oblong”. Round seats are about 16 inches from front-to-back, and oblong are about 18 inches from front-to-back.
2

Use a flat head screwdriver to pry open the plastic pieces that cover the bolt heads.
3

Using the same flat head screw driver, unscrew the large plastic bolts holding the old seat in place. There are usually plastic nuts on the underside that you need to hold with your other hand or a pair of pliers while removing the bolts.
4

Remove the old seat.
5

Clean the area where the bolts were and dry thoroughly.
6

If the new seat has an adhesive pad, remove the covering from the adhesive andput the seat in place.
7

Thread the new bolts through the holes and attach with the new nuts. If there aren’t new nuts and bolts, you can use the old ones, provided they weren’t damaged during removal.
8

Snap the caps covering the bolt heads on the new seat in place.