Standard Towel Bar Height (Bathroom Design Guide)

In this guide we cover the standard towel bar height including how high to hang towels and where to install the towel bar & ring in the bathroom.
Knowing exactly where to place a towel bar can be a tricky topic. Ask five different people and you may get five different answers. Here we demystify the topic so you can know the exact towel bar & ring placement and height for best results.

What is the Standard Towel Bar Height?

The standard towel ring height is 48 inches above the floor. Some types of towel bars are a little more decorative and can make the hanging height and bar height a little different from each other.

The 48 inches from the floor should be from the bar height not the hanging height. When going through the installation measure between the bar height and the hardware heights to find where on the wall the towel bar should be hung exactly.

This height allows for the average person to access to the towel bar. This also allows for space for the towels to hang down, without touching the floor.

If there are individuals such as smaller children or those who have limited mobility, or other height restrictions it is best to decrease this height to 44 inches from the floor to the bar.

If the towel bar includes more than one bar, than there should be a space of at least 2 inches between each bar to allow for space for the towel.

How High Above the Vanity Should the Towel Ring Be?

When a towel ring is above the vanity, there are a few more obstacles that are to be taken into account.

The average size vanity is about 30″ to 32″ from the floor to the countertop. As a general rule of thumb the towel ring should be hung about 20″ to 22″ above the countertop.

If the towel bar is set at the standard height of 20 to 22 inches above the vanity countertop or sink there is still room to hang small hand towels.

It is not recommended to hang bath towels over a vanity, as they will hang too low, and are infrequently in the most convenient spot or bathing.

What is the Standard Towel Ring Height?

The standard towel bar height is 48 inches above the floor. With towel rings there are is a larger gap from the hardware for installation and the bottom of the ring.

The 48 inches from the floor should be the height from where the bottom of the ring sits not the hanging height of the towel ring.

When going through the installation measure between height of the bottom of the ring and the hardware heights to find the where on the wall the towel ring should be hung.

This height allows for the average person to access to the towel ring for the drying of hands. This also allows for space for the towels to hang down, without touching the floor, or the vanity if applicable.

In cases where there are individuals who have limited mobility, or other height restrictions it is best to decrease this height to 44 inches or lower from the floor to the bar so that they have better access to the towels hung there.

This height can also be changed if placed beside a towel bar, to keep all the hardware lined up for aesthetic purposes.

Where to Hang a Towel Bar?

A towel bar is best located on the wall closest to the bath or shower. Another good place is to place is near the bathroom sink. This decision can be decided based on the size of the towel bar as well as the intended use of the towels.

The hand towel bar is to be smaller and placed near the sink, but the bath towel bar is larger and better placed near the bath or shower.

It is important to make sure there is enough space on the wall for the length of the bar that is needed.

A larger bar may be 60 inches wide, while the smaller ones may be 40 inches. Determining that first will help find the optimal spot for the towel bar.

In small bathrooms, with a lack of wall space, and handy spot to hang a towel bar is above the toilet, especially in half baths. Read more about bathroom layouts on this page.

This puts the towels beside the vanity as well as there are no was to run into the bar protruding from the wall. This position can be for both towel bars or towel rings.

Depending on the height of the toilet, placing the towel bar above the toilet may require the bar to be raised a little from the standard height depending on the type of towel that will be used in the space.

It is best to not hang a towel bar above outlets or switches. Extremely wet towels that drip down can cause shorts or other electrical problems. If it is necessary, it is recommended that they are at least 4 inches away from the outlet or switches in question.

For more related content visit our guide to the standard toilet paper holder height here.