Bathroom with book-matched Calacatta marble walls and a walk-in shower

Vanity sizes

Bathroom vanity sizes: from a 24 inch powder room to a 72 inch double

Bathroom vanity sizes follow a few standard widths — 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60 and 72 inches — and the right one is decided by your wall, your doors and the toilet beside it, not by the photo you saved. Here is what each width does well, and how to measure before you choose.

Illustrative interior

01Start with the wall

How bathroom vanity sizes are decided

Standard bathroom vanity sizes step up in 6 in increments from 24 to 48 in, then jump to 60 and 72 in, where a second basin becomes possible. Between those steps a made-to-measure vanity can fill a wall exactly, which is why we start every bathroom with a tape measure rather than a catalog.

Three things set the maximum width: the wall itself, the door and its swing, and the toilet. The toilet matters most — its centerline needs clear space on each side, so a vanity placed beside it gives up a few inches. Depth and height are easier: most vanities are 21–22 in deep and finish at 34–36 in to the countertop.

02At a glance

Vanity widths and what each one is for

24 in (610 mm)
Powder rooms and the smallest baths: one compact basin, little counter
30 in (760 mm)
Small hall and guest baths: one basin with a little counter on each side
36 in (915 mm)
The everyday single vanity, common in a typical 5 × 8 ft bathroom
42 in (1,065 mm)
One basin with real counter space, or an offset basin beside a drawer bank
48 in (1,220 mm)
A generous single; two basins fit only with very small sinks and no shared counter
60 in (1,525 mm)
The smallest comfortable double sink vanity, or a single with a long counter
72 in (1,830 mm)
A comfortable double: each person gets a basin and a working area
84–96 in (2,135–2,440 mm)
A double with a center drawer tower or a seated makeup station

03Small rooms

24 inch and 30 inch bathroom vanity

A 24 inch bathroom vanity suits powder rooms and tight guest baths. Choose a compact basin and a wall-mounted or slim faucet so the counter is not lost entirely, and consider a shallower 16–18 in depth if the door or a walkway passes close by. A floating vanity shows more floor and makes a small room feel larger.

A 30 inch bathroom vanity gives one basin a few inches of counter on each side — enough for a soap dispenser and a toothbrush cup. It is the most common choice in small hall bathrooms where a 36 in cabinet would crowd the door or the toilet.

04Everyday singles

36 inch, 42 inch and 48 inch bathroom vanity

The 36 inch bathroom vanity is the everyday single: one basin, drawers for daily items and enough counter to set things down. In a typical 5 × 8 ft bathroom it usually fits beside the toilet with comfortable clearance.

A 42 inch bathroom vanity adds counter rather than storage. It is a good width for an offset basin with a stack of drawers beside it, which gives one person a real dressing-table surface.

A 48 inch bathroom vanity is a generous single. Two basins can be squeezed into 48 in, but the sinks end up closer than the 30 in between centers we plan for a double, and the counter between them disappears — one wide basin with more counter is usually the better bathroom.

Walnut double vanity with Calacatta marble top and twin backlit mirrors
Illustrative interior

05Two basins

60 inch double sink vanity and the 72 inch double

At 60 in a 60 inch double sink vanity becomes workable: two basins about 30 in apart, each at least 15 in from the side wall, with a small shared counter. If only one person gets ready at a time, the same width as a single with a long counter is often more useful.

A 72 inch double vanity is where two people stop bumping elbows. Each basin gets its own working area, and the middle of the cabinet — free of plumbing — holds the deepest drawers. At 84 in and above you can add a drawer tower or a seated makeup station. Spacing, storage and mirrors for two are covered on our double sink vanity page.

06Before you choose

How to measure for a bathroom vanity

  1. 01

    Measure the wall

    Measure the finished wall at the floor, at counter height and at the top. Older walls are rarely square; the smallest number wins.

  2. 02

    Mark the toilet and doors

    Note the toilet's centerline and the door swing, including the shower door. These set the real maximum width.

  3. 03

    Find the plumbing

    Mark the drain and supply positions. Keeping them saves cost; moving them opens up widths and floating mounts.

  4. 04

    Allow for clear space

    Plan clear floor in front of the vanity — California's plumbing code calls for at least 24 in in front of a lavatory — and confirm the rule for your room with your contractor.

  5. 05

    Choose standard or custom

    If a standard width leaves an awkward gap, a made-to-measure vanity or a filler panel finishes the wall cleanly.

07Depth & height

Standard vanity depth, height and clearances

Depth
21–22 in standard; 16–18 in for powder rooms and narrow bathrooms
Countertop height
34–36 in suits most adults; 30–32 in is the older standard
Vessel basin
Lower the cabinet so the basin rim lands at about 34–36 in
Toilet beside the vanity
At least 15 in from the toilet's centerline to the vanity edge; 18 in or more is more comfortable
Two basins
30 in minimum between sink centers; 32–36 in is more comfortable
Sink center to side wall
At least 15 in; 18–20 in leaves room for a towel and soap

Choosing a size at the showroom

Widths are easier to judge in front of a real cabinet than on a drawing. Bring your wall width, the toilet and door positions and a photo of the plumbing to our Glendale showroom, and compare tops, basins and drawers across sizes. For finishes and basin types, see bathroom vanities and modern vanities; for the whole room, start at our bathroom showroom overview.

FAQ

Questions, answered

Still deciding? Call +1 (213) 776-0000 or send us your plan.

What is the standard bathroom vanity size?
There is no single standard, but common widths are 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60 and 72 in, with a depth of about 21 in and a countertop height of 34–36 in. A 36 in single vanity is the most common choice in a typical hall bathroom.
What size vanity fits a 5 × 8 ft bathroom?
Usually a 30–36 in single vanity, depending on where the toilet and door sit. Measure from the toilet's centerline: keep at least 15 in to the vanity edge, and more if you can.
Is a 48 inch vanity big enough for two sinks?
It is possible with very small basins, but the sinks end up closer than the 30 in between centers we plan for, and there is no shared counter. Two basins work comfortably from 60 in; 72 in is better.
How much space do you need between a toilet and a vanity?
Plumbing codes require at least 15 in from the center of the toilet to the side of a vanity or wall; 18 in or more feels far more comfortable. Your contractor confirms the requirement for your room.
Can a vanity be made to a non-standard width?
Yes. When a wall falls between standard sizes, a made-to-measure vanity fills it exactly and usually looks better than a standard cabinet with filler strips. Ask which vanity ranges are current when you visit.

Showroom

Visit us in Glendale

See Nolte kitchens, bathroom vanities, flooring, tile and stone side by side — and plan with a designer.

614 W. Colorado Street
Glendale, CA 91204

Monday – Friday
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Saturday
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday
10:00 am – 6:00 pm

+1 (213) 776-0000