How to replace a toilet seat?

Rhonda
by Rhonda

I need advice on how to replace a toilet seat, please. What do I need to know when looking for a new one?


  22 answers
  • Gk Gk on Jan 06, 2019

    Hello Rhonda! Changing a toilet seat is easy! You can take a picture of the seat on your phone and take it to your local big box home improvement center to purchase the right seat. Your toilet seat will either be round or oblong and there are a few different materials to pick from. Here's some good instructions: https://www.wikihow.life/Install-a-New-Toilet-Seat

  • Changing seats is merely a matter of unscrewing the old from beneath and screwing on the new so it’s super easy. The hardest part as Gk mentioned is finding out if it’s round or oblong.

  • I love the soft close toilet seats. No more slamming lids. Seriously, I'll never go back to normal ones.

    Toilet seats are pretty easy to change. Good luck!

  • Homeroad Homeroad on Jan 09, 2019

    Not all toilets are the same but you should have some kind of screws or a flap you lift up and then find screws. Unscrew the screws, you may need to hold the bottom of the screw underneath while you're unscrewing. The seat should remove as soon as the screws are loose. Make sure you are replacing it with the correct size. There are oblong and round.

  • If the screws are rusted metal, try spraying some WD40 on them, let it sit for a bit and try again. You can also hold the nut underneath with a wrench while you unscrew from the top.

  • Cheryl Markus Reynolds Cheryl Markus Reynolds on Nov 01, 2017

    If the screws are rusted tight, spray with some vegetable oil or WD-40 to loosen them. You can purchase plastic screws for the new seat at any home improvement store. Then you won't have the same problem later.

  • Charlene Charlene on Nov 01, 2017

    I used a dremel to cut the bolts off of my rusted screws when they were in that condition. It works great! Just cut down both sides and they drop off. Happy fixing and God bless

  • William William on Jun 12, 2017

    If the nuts are rusted, you will need a hack saw (metal cutting saw) and cut through the top where the bolts go through the toilet.

  • Claudia Nunn Claudia Nunn on Jun 12, 2017

    I would suggest a power drill. It happened to me and I just drilled those rusty babies right out of there. It was quick and painless. lol icon Don't forget your safety glasses. Good luck!

  • Joy Elizabeth Joy Elizabeth on Jun 29, 2020

    Often times, there are clips that can be pried up, to expose the bolts. Do you have a photo of what yours looks like to help more?

  • Recreated Designs Recreated Designs on Jun 29, 2020

    At the back of the toilet seat there should be little boxes (on the top side of the toilet) that can be popped open with a screwdriver or coin. There will be bold heads inside that can be screwed/unscrewed to remove and replace the seat. Hope that helps.

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Jun 29, 2020

    with lid closed, on top of bracket (one holding seat to bowl) you should be able to open top/pop it up and you will find the bolts for the seat you may need to use a small screwdriver to pop it open should/may have small opening along edge to insert something to pop it open

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Jun 30, 2020

    You should be able to put your hand under the back and turn the bolt and unscrew it then change the seat and screw it back on with the new ones supplies with the new seat

  • Grammyzoo2 Grammyzoo2 on Jan 14, 2019

    I have discovered that vinegar works wonders in the bathroom.

    If you can somehow attach a tiny cup of vinegar to the under sides. I know how dorky it sounds but I’ve done it, like with little plastic dipping sauce vessels. Tape them on the pot after filling with vinegar. Let the just stay there for a day or so. Remove, wipe with paper towel, then spray with WD40 and let that settle in for however long it takes. You should be able to loosen bolts.

    Mid none of the above works, remember you’re workin upside down. Righty tighty, left loosey!!!

    Imagine doing things backwards.

    It happens!! Good luck.

    BTW. PLAIN WHITE VINEGAR

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jan 30, 2022

    I agree with Emy that if you are going to purchase a new toilet seat, spend a little more to get a soft-close toilet seat. Once you never hear the lid banging down again, you will never go back to a standard style.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Mar 17, 2022

    The Screws and fasteners are at the back under the lip. Difficult to access but everyone needs to do it at some time. Take a photo of the toilet with you when you shop.

  • Janice Janice on Jul 06, 2022

    Take a picture of the current seat and measure the length from back to front. While shopping for a new seat you'll see a variety--from vey basic regular size to elongated and choose the one you like best that's in your price point. as others have directed, removal and install is fairly easy. I, too, love the soft close feature. In fact you can even find a soft seat with plug-in feature for warming in cold weather!

  • Deb K Deb K on Jul 06, 2022

    Hi Rhonda, first you will need to see if your current seat is round or oblong, you can tell by using this link here. From there the seats usually attach with just two bolts

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D29v0GuVldk

    or with hidden fixings

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGluderbMd4


    hope these help- you out

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  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Nov 11, 2022

    Take old one with you or a template of it.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jul 20, 2023

    They are easy to remove, many instruction by other Hometalkers, I agree with johnavallance82, take the old toilet seat with you or a template...or take the measurements length and width. You will also find they come in different colors in some stores. Amazon also carries a selection for many descriptions.