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Bar Stool Height Guide

Find the perfect seat height
for your kitchen or home bar.

Calculators

Barstool Height Calculator

Learn the correct stool height you need to fit comfortably at your counter.

Barstool Quantity Calculator

Learn how many stools you need to fit comfortably at your counter.

One Rule

The top of the seat of a barstool should be 10-12 inches below the top of the counter.

  • Measure from the floor to the top of the counter.
  • Subtract 10-12 inches – this is your ideal seat height.
  • Order stools that are closest to this ideal seat height.

Common Seat Heights

Counter Height

Counter height measurements

If your kitchen counter is the same height as your sink, you need a stool with a 24” or 26” high seat. Shop counter height stools

Bar Height

Bar height measurements

If your kitchen counter or pub table is higher than your kitchen sink, you need a stool with a 30” high seat. Shop bar height stools

Spectator Height

Spectator height measurements

If your kitchen counter or pub table is high such as 46" to 48", you need a stool with a 34” high seat. Shop spectator height stools

Extra Tall Height

Extra tall height measurements

If your kitchen counter or pub table is really high such as 50", you need a stool with a 36" or 37" high seat. Shop extra tall height stools

Questions to Consider

Will the arms fit under my counter?

We have height measurements for nearly all of our stools with arms. Please make sure to check these measurements or the stools might butt up against your countertop and you won’t be able to tuck in.

Most of our stools with arms fit under standard counter overhangs, but it’s important to double check!

Example of where to find our measurements

Does my counter have an underhang?

Most kitchen counters will have nothing beneath the counter, in order to give you the most space for pulling up a stool.

You should take special care with counters like the one on the right, with “underhangs” below the counter. Sometimes these counters weren’t made with stools in mind.

Overhang (left), Underhang (right):

Examples of what an overhang and an underhang are

Will I use the stool in more than one place?

Adjustable height stool

If you plan to move the stool between different height counters, we recommend an adjustable height stool.

Adjustable stools are also great if you’re concerned with ergonomics and want to get the perfect height. Shop adjustable height stools

Consider vanity height stools for low surfaces.

Vanity height in a bathroom

Chair and vanity-height stools have a seat height of approximately 17-inch.

These low height stools are perfect for your desk or vanity table.

Shop vanity height stools