Best Toilets with 10-Inch Rough-Ins

Most people’s hearts drop when they pick up their tape measure and realize that they need a 10-inch rough-in toilet. 

Why? 

Well, if they’d done their measuring and found that they needed a 14-inch rough-in toilet, their next steps would be easier. They’d simply have to hop into their car and drive to their local toilet supplier. At the warehouse, they’d have the choice between dozens of 14-inch-ers, and they would be able to leave with one that same day. 

If they needed a 10-inch, however, the story becomes very different. Most suppliers stock one 10-inch rough-in, and some don’t stock any. The next couple of weeks would be filled with hard work as they scour the internet for the perfect 10-inch rough-in. 

Well, that would have been the case before we wrote this article. 

Now, all of the information anyone would need about 10-inch rough-in toilets is consolidated into one place. Not only do we have a list of the best 10-inch rough-ins on the market, but we’ve also included an exhaustive buyer’s guide and FAQ section. Once you’ve finished this article, you’ll be ready to order your brand new toilet. 

Carry on reading to discover the best 10-inch rough-in toilets.  

In a hurry? Here’s our top pick….

KOHLER K-3851-0 Cimarron Comfort Height Two-Piece Round-Front

I know you’ve been told that the perfect 10-inch rough-in toilet doesn’t exist, but you’ve been lied to. Let us introduce you to the KOHLER K-3851 Cimarron, the answer to all your 10-inch rough-in toilet-related prayers (full Cimarron review here). 

If you want the aesthetic of a rough-in toilet, but you also want to save some space (or some water) the Cimarron offers a rounded toilet bowl. This bowl is shorter than a traditional bowl, but it makes up for it by being nearly twice as wide (don’t worry, it isn’t any wider than the rest of the toilet).

The bowl is smaller than a traditional bowl, but only by around 25%. In our opinion, it’s worth it for the amount of space saved. 

It is also worth mentioning that this uniquely shaped bowl will make finding a toilet seat that fits a little difficult. 

On the topic of water-saving, the Cimarron offers a dual flush feature, allowing more water to be saved. The dual flush offers extra power, which you may need with a smaller bowl. 

This toilet is not only a custom shape, but it is a custom height as well. The average American toilet sits at 15 inches. The Cimarron sits at a mighty 17 inches.

The slightly higher seat makes it easier to get on and off the toilet. For this reason, this toilet is a great choice for those of you with low mobility or bad knees.  

Our Favorite Picks for Best 10-Inch Rough-Ins

1. KOHLER K-3851-0 Cimarron Comfort Height Two-Piece Round-Front

Our top choice for the best 10-inch rough-in toilets is the K-3851-0 Cimarron Comfort from KOHLER. This is a uniquely shaped toilet that really does offer something different from everything else on the market. 

The Cimarron has two unique features when it comes to its shape and size. Firstly, Cimarron has an unusually shaped bowl. This bowl is shorter than the traditional toilet bowl. However, it is much wider.

This has two major benefits: first, it saves a lot of water (we're always happy with smaller bills), and more importantly, it saves a lot of space. 

The rounded bowl means that the toilet doesn't stick out as far. This makes it a great option for those of you who want a powerful, traditional toilet over a corner unit but need something smaller. 

The second unique thing about this toilet is that it is taller than the average toilet. Where the usual toilet seat rests at 15-inches, the Cimarron sits at 17-inches.

KOHLER has developed their toilets to be taller as it makes them a lot easier to use, particularly for people with low mobility. 

Another feature that we love about this toilet is the dual flush system. If you are interested in water-saving, then it's worth investing in a toilet with a dual flush system.

This system means that the normal flush uses less than a gallon of water, and the full flush uses 1.8 gallons. This is much lower than the average American toilet. 

There are two minor flaws with the Cimarron. 

The ergonomically shaped bowl is a great idea. However, it is such a unique shape that you may struggle to find a seat to fit this model. 

Secondly, the water-saving bowl is small, which some people may have issues with. It does not have the capacity for a 'bathroom emergency.' 

These downsides are definitely worth it if you need to save space but don't want to sacrifice style. 

2. Fine Fixtures Dual Flush Round One-Piece Toilet 12-Inch Rough-In (Seat Included)

While this is technically at 12-inch rough-in, this toilet comes with the option to be installed as a 10-inch rough-in. It's too good not to be included. 

This is another great option for those of you who are looking to save space in your bathroom. It is a low-sitting toilet with a slim body designed to fit snugly into small nooks.

Some people will adore the compactness of this toilet, while others will find it frustrating and too small to use properly. We noticed taller users complaining about the size of the toilet. 

This is another toilet that comes with a great, water-saving dual flush system. As we'll mention in our buyer's guide, we consider a dual flush system a must. They save so much water and really do make a huge impact on yearly water bills. 

This toilet does come with a high-quality, soft closing lid. The trapway (the inside part of the toilet) is glazed, which helps prevent dirt from sticking to the sides of the toilet. This glazing will take one of the nastiest household chores off your list. 

The Fixtures toilet does suffer from two small flaws. 

Firstly, this toilet has a bit of an infamous reputation online for having some of the worst installation instructions ever.

They're quite entertaining if you're not trying to install the toilet. However, if you do need to install this toilet, there is now a video guide on Youtube. 

Secondly, as we mentioned above, this is a very small toilet that people taller than 5"8 may struggle with using. 

3. TOTO Drake Elongated Bowl, Cotton White

This Drake Bowl from TOTO is a great option for those of you who already have a tank installed as this model is just a bowl with a fitted guard for a tank. While this toilet is one of the more expensive options on our list, you really do get what you pay for. 

This is a sturdy china toilet with an elongated bowl and thin tank guard. Its unique dimensions allow it to be installed in smaller bathrooms without looking any different from a traditional toilet. 

This model comes with a power flushing system. Many of the toilets on this list have these, and we have included them because they make cleaning the toilet so much easier.

This toilet also comes with a glazed trapway, which is another great way to keep dirt off. Power flushing and glazed trapways are the dream combination. 

As we mentioned, this kit only includes the bowl, and it does not include a tank or a seat. The unusual shape of its bowl does make it a little difficult to source a seat that will fit.

If you are looking for a set with a tank, every other toilet on this list comes with one. 

4. American Standard Two-Piece Elongated Toilet with 10-Inch Rough-In GPF

This porcelain toilet comes at such a good price that we had to include it on our list. It's not often that you find such a well-designed porcelain option that comes at a price that rivals its plastic equivalent.

This is a classic-looking rough-in with a twist. The bowl on this toilet is longer than a traditional water bowl. The change in design makes sitting on this toilet a lot more comfortable.

It also means that because the model is thinner, it can be easier to install in a smaller bathroom while still looking like a traditional-sized toilet. Nothing looks out of proportion, which can often happen with cheaper toilets. 

This toilet is also fitted with a power flush system, designed to do the majority of the cleaning for you. While one of the main complaints we've seen about this toilet is that the water level in the bowl is too low, introducing this power flushing system means that any staining caused by the low water level will be easily removed. 

5. Swiss Madison Well Made Forever SM-1T254 St. Tropez One-Piece Toilet

For our final choice, we picked out something a little unusual. The St. Tropez is a classic, one-piece rough-in with a boxy, modern twist. It contains most of the classic rough-in features with a few unexpected additions. 

This toilet sits slightly lower than the national average. The manufacturer claims that this makes it easier for children and old people to use; however, elderly people may struggle to get down to a lower toilet seat. The feature users will enjoy is the free, soft-close lid included with this toilet. 

This toilet comes with an angled trapway. This prevents dirt from attaching itself to the trapway, and the angle also makes it easier to deep clean this toilet. 

The two main problems we have with this toilet are the flange holes and its over-enthusiastic flushing system.  

The flange holes on this toilet are both the wrong size and in the wrong position. If you possess a few DIY skills (and a big drill), you should be able to fix this yourself, but for the price, we would expect better… 

Our second issue is with the flushing system. Due to the angled nature of the trapway, when the flush on this toilet is used, a large amount of the water is sprayed back at the user. Although this can be solved by closing the lid, this toilet requires a very steep and unpleasant learning curve.  

Best 10-Inch Rough-Ins Buying Guide

Below is a thorough guide to picking out the perfect rough-in toilet for your bathroom.

We will be talking you through all of the key choices that you'll have to make when choosing your toilet and some important factors you should consider before making a final decision. 

What Length of Rough-In Do You Need? 

The first step, measure your current toilet to work out what length of rough-in you will need.

If you do not have one installed already, it is best to bring a plumber in to help you measure anything out correctly. 

Make Sure You've Measured Your Toilet Correctly 

Why do you need to measure everything out so carefully? A mistake with a rough-in purchase can be expensive. If the rough-in is not the perfect size, then you will not be able to install it. 

Get the measurement right to save yourself some time and money. 

What Material Should Your Toilet Be Made of? 

Secondly, you should think about what material you want your toilet to be made of. Your options are plastic or porcelain. 

Porcelain toilets are more sturdy. They take a lot less day-to-day wear and tear. However, they do chip, they are heavier and easier to clean, and they are at least twice the price. 

You do get what you pay for with plastic toilets. The more expensive models can rival even the best porcelain toilets. However, cheap options can be difficult to clean, flimsy, and wear very quickly. 

Do You Have Enough Space? 

Rough-in toilets are big — they are 10-inches away from the wall at the very least.

If you have a small bathroom, then they may not be the best choice. If you have a small bathroom, you may want to look for a different type of toilet. 

On the other hand, if you find a rough-in with a smaller bowl you may be able to make that work in a smaller room. 

Good Lid? 

Most toilets come without a lid. 

However, you often have the option to pay a little extra to get a lid included.

If you are interested in this option, make sure to read reviews and make sure the seat is worth the extra bucks. It is not uncommon for manufacturers to put low-quality seats on toilets like this. 

Dual Flush? 

Once we got our first toilet with a dual flush system, we knew we would never go back. 

Not only do dual flush systems give you more control over how much power you use for every flush, but they're also a great way to save water.

Not every bathroom trip requires full power, but it's nice to know you have the option if you need it. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Here are the answers to the most common questions we get asked about rough-in toilets. 

What is a rough-in? 

A rough-in is a type of toilet that is installed a small distance away from the floor piles.

They are visually appealing toilets that bring a lot of power and surface area where smaller toilets cannot. 

Why is it so difficult to get ahold of 10 and 12-inch rough-ins? 

The average size of a rough-in toilet in America is 14 inches. For this reason, the 14-inch toilets are widely stocked online and in stores. 

Rarer sizes like 12 inches and 10 inches are, therefore, less likely to be held by suppliers. They are more expensive to produce as they are made on a smaller scale. They will either be more expensive for the customer or less profitable for the supplier.  

How do I measure my bathroom's rough-in? 

It is pretty simple to measure what size rough-in you will need.

Simply take your measuring tape and measure the gap between the wall and your current rough-in. The gaps will be one of 4: 10 inches, 12 inches, 14 inches, or 16 inches. 

Make sure to get this measurement correct as you will not be able to install an incorrectly sized rough-in. 

Are rough-in toilets good for small bathrooms? 

Rough-in toilets are the best choice for medium to large-sized bathrooms. However, they are not always a great choice for small bathrooms. This is because rough-ins are fitted quite a large distance away from the wall. Therefore, they stick out quite far into the room. 

Have a look at our number 1 choice as this rough-in has a clever design that saves space. Otherwise, going for a corner toilet might be a better option for you.  

Are plastic rough-in toilets better than porcelain?  

There are benefits to both plastic and porcelain rough-in toilets. 

Porcelain toilets are better for the environment, longer-lasting, and a lot easier to clean. 

Plastic toilets, on the other hand, are a lot cheaper and easier to install. It is also easier to find replacement parts for them.