How To Measure a Bathroom Faucet
Sometimes, updating your bathroom can be as simple as replacing your sink faucets. Replacing your bathroom faucet is usually straightforward, but you’ll want to make sure the new one fits your sink. To figure this out, you’ll need to know a few dimensions, which requires measuring your faucet and sink. Below are a few helpful tips on measuring a bathroom faucet.
Understanding Faucet Dimensions: 3 Essential Measurements
The three most crucial bathroom faucet measurements to know include:
Spout Height
Spout height may refer to the height from the countertop to the spout where the water comes out, or the height from the base of the countertop to the highest point of the faucet. If you have a faucet that arches at the top and then curves down into a spout, these measurements may differ considerably.
Spout Reach
Spout reach measures how far your faucet’s spout extends over the sink. An appropriate spout reach prevents water from splashing against the basin, giving you enough space to fit your hands under the faucet. Aim for it to extend approximately to the center of the sink.
Handle Spacing (Faucet Center)
For a three-hole sink, the handle spacing is the distance between the two outermost holes where the sink handles will go. This distance can help you determine the type of three-hole faucet you have.
Other Measurements: Faucet Hole Diameter and Sink Clearance
A couple of additional measurements that are helpful to know include the faucet hole diameter and the sink clearance.
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The faucet hole diameter is the size of the actual mounting holes in the sink. You don’t want to get a faucet that is too large or too small. Most hole diameters are about 1.25 to 1.5 inches.
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Clearance height is how high the faucet spout sits from the bottom of the sink. Taller faucets usually have clearance and facilitate filling large containers like basins or hot water bottles.
Step-by-Step Faucet Measurement Guide
To measure your bathroom sink faucet, you’ll first need to identify the faucet type. From there, proceed to the rest of the process.
1. Identify Your Faucet Type
Faucet designs vary considerably, but typically fall into three categories.
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Single-hole faucets are designed for sinks with one drilled mounting hole. The knob and faucet are often part of the same unit.
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Centerset (4-inch) faucets typically have the hot water handle, cold water handle and spout mounted on a single base. They require three mounting holes spaced four inches apart.
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Widespread (8-inch) faucets are for sinks with three holes spaced eight inches apart. Unlike centerset faucets, the spout and handles are separate.
2. Measure Faucet Centers
Measuring your faucet centers tells you if you have a widespread or centerset faucet. To do this, measure from the center of one outermost hole to the center of the other. This is the “center-to-center” distance. For a centerset faucet, the measurement will be about four inches, and for a widespread, about eight inches.
3. Measure Faucet Height
To measure the full faucet height, start where the faucet meets the countertop and measure to the highest point. Knowing the height helps avoid blocking mirrors, cabinets and shelves above your sink. Keep in mind that the total height may differ from the spout height.
4. Measure Spout Reach
The spout reach should extend about 25%-50% across your sink basin. If you don’t have a faucet yet, measure from the center of the center mounting hole to the center of your sink. If you already have a faucet, measure from the center of the base to the center of the spout.
Standard Bathroom Faucet Measurements
While bathroom faucet dimensions vary greatly, some aspects are more standardized.
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Centerset faucets usually have center-to-center measurements of about four inches.
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Typically, widespread faucets have eight-inch center-to-center measurements, although wider models are available.
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Spout reaches start at four inches and range to over eight inches. For a larger sink, you’ll need a spout with a larger reach.
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Faucet heights tend to change from design to design.
Choosing the Right Faucet
When choosing a bathroom sink faucet, the most important factor is whether you have a single-hole, centerset or widespread design. Don’t try to install a single-hole faucet into a multi-hole sink, or vice versa.
You can avoid several additional mistakes with the help of your faucet measurements. For example, choose a height that won’t obstruct cabinets, towel bars or shelves above the sink. Also, select a spout with enough reach over your sink basin. Failing to fit your faucet to your space can create inconveniences and cause a lot of spills and wasted water.
Measure Twice, Install Once
Knowing your bathroom sink faucet’s measurements helps you select the right design for a convenient and efficient washing experience. It also saves you time, money and frustration during the installation process.
Once you have your measurements, you have many faucet options to choose from. Modern faucets come with countless styles, finishes and features to help you create a lovely space, and you can find your ideal design at Mintera. With our line of premium recertified kitchen and bath fixtures from top brands like Kraus, Peerless and Delta, Mintera makes it easy to get a perfect-fit design.
