How to Replace a Toilet Seat?

Replacing a toilet seat is a simple DIY job that usually takes about 10 minutes and needs few or no tools.

What you need:

• A new toilet seat (measure first — see below)
• A screwdriver or wrench (sometimes not needed)

Measure before you buy: Toilet bowls come in two main shapes — round and elongated (oval). Measure the bowl length from the seat bolt holes to the front edge, and the distance between the two bolt holes (usually about 5.5 inches), so the new seat fits.

Step-by-step:

1. Find the seat bolts at the back. They're usually hidden under small plastic caps/covers. Flip the caps up or open with a flat screwdriver.
2. Unscrew the old seat. Turn the bolts counter-clockwise. Hold the nut underneath with a wrench or your fingers if the bolt spins. Old plastic bolts can sometimes just be twisted off by hand.
3. Remove the old seat and clean. Lift it off and clean the newly exposed area around the bolt holes, which is usually grimy.
4. Position the new seat. Line up the new seat's bolt holes with the holes in the bowl.
5. Insert and tighten the bolts. Drop the bolts through, thread on the nuts underneath, and tighten until snug — don't overtighten, especially with plastic hardware, or you can crack the seat or bowl.
6. Check it's centered and secure, then snap any bolt caps closed.

Tip: If the old bolts are rusted and won't budge, a little penetrating oil or carefully cutting the bolt with a hacksaw will free it.