The toilet is one of the most visited places in our homes. On average, we visit the toilet at least five times a day. Besides, the toilet uses 27% of the overall water consumption in our homes. The cost of flushing 1.6 gallons of water is about 1.3 cents (for every flush).
That’s why it’s crucial to control the amount of water we use to flush our toilets. But how many gallons of water does a toilet use? Different types of flushing systems use different amounts of water to push waste down the drain.
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For instance, most toilets made between the 1980s and early 90s usually utilize 3.5 gallons per flush, while the latest high-efficiency toilets use less than 1.6 gallons per flush.
| Toilet Made Year | Water Usage (Per Flush) |
| Before 1982 | 5- 7 GPF |
| 1983-1993 | 3.5 GPF |
| 1994-Later | 1.6 GPF |
| Modern Toilet | 1.1-1.28 GPF |
| Dual Flush Toilet | 0.9/1.28 GPF |
FAQs Related to Toilet Water Usage
- How much water does a toilet use per day?
Suppose you have 5 members in your family, and each one flushes the toilet 4 times a day.
For a 3.5 GPF toilet: It uses 70 gallons of water per day
For a 1.6 GPF toilet: It uses 32 gallons of water per day
1.28 GPF toilet: It uses 26 gallons of water per day
- How much water do you save by not flushing the toilet?
For a 3.5 GPF toilet: A person can save up to 5110 gallons of water per year
For a 1.6 GPF toilet: You can save 2336 gallons of water per year
1.28 GPF toilet: It saves 1868 gallons of water per year
- How much water does a toilet use in liters?
Here is a gallon-to-liter toilet water usage conversion chart.
| 3.5 GPF | 13.25 Litres |
| 1.6 GPF | 6.06 Litres |
| 1.28 GPF | 4.85 Litres |
- How much water does a toilet use per hour?
Regular Use: 10 GPF (average)
Running Toilet: 180 GPF
Leaky Toilet: 75 GPF
- What uses the most water in a house? (One person)
Toilet: 15-20 gallons
Shower head: 20 gallons
Faucet: 15 gallons
Sink: 5-7 gallons
How Much Water Does a Toilet Use Per Flush?
Continue reading to find out how much water different toilets use.
Page Contents
Old toilets
Nowadays, new low-flowing toilets save gallons of water comparing the old models. When we talk about old toilets, we refer to toilets made before or during the 1980s. These toilets are the worst when it comes to water consumption. Most of them use at least 5 gallons or even more per flush. They are followed closely by slightly old toilets made after the 80s and early 90s. These types of toilets typically utilize 3.5 gallons per flush.
Therefore, if you have an old toilet in your home, the chances are that you use more than 17 gallons of water per day. And if you have a big family, you can imagine how much water you will be using in a day. However, old toilets usually flush once and are very useful.
Low-flush toilets
How much water does a low-flush toilet use? Water is a scarce resource, and it should be protected. That’s why many toilet manufacturers have resorted to creating toilets that save water. In 1992, a federal law was passed requiring all standard toilets installed In America to use 1.6 GPF or less. This law came into use from 1994 onwards.
Related article: Best techniques to unclog a toilet without a plunger
When these toilets were introduced into the market, many people complained about their inefficient flushing system. Over time, manufacturers have improved their flushing systems, and these toilets are extremely efficient in performance.
With people visiting the toilet several times a day, saving water is very important. Today’s low-flush toilets are efficient and reliable. They clear waste in one flush and save water at the same time.
High-efficiency toilets
If you want even to save more water, you can install a Toto Vespin high-efficiency toilet. The average amount of water used in a flush has varied over different toilet models. Most of the conventional toilets on the market can use 5 to 7 gallons per flush, but these water-saving toilets use less than 1.3 gallons per flush. As a result, a single person in your home will save at least 9,000 gallons of water per year, which is phenomenal.
With improved technology, today’s high-efficiency toilets have gotten better, as you don’t have to flush several times to clear waste. Besides, there are thousands of high-efficiency toilet designs to choose from, so you don’t have to be limited to specific brands or types.
Dual-flush toilets
How much more water do standard toilets use over dual flush? Dual-flush toilets are the most convenient toilets on the market. This is because they allow you to use either a partial flush or full flush to clear waste. Usually, most double-flush toilets use only 0.8 GPF for a partial flush and 1.1 GPF for a flush. As a result, the toilet uses only 1.4 GPF on average. This is important and helps you save thousands of gallons every year.
Related article: Fix your running toilet with some easy steps
Having a dual flush toilet helps you to save 30 percent of water by reducing water usage. If you calculate that, you will find that your water bill will be reduced drastically. For instance, if one person saves around 13,000 gallons per year, they will save some cash and conserve the environment.
Leaking toilet
What is the average usage of water in a toilet? If your toilet is running okay, then you may end up using 1.3 gallons per flush to 1.6 gallons per flush. But if your toilet has a leakage problem, you may end up using more water than anticipated. For instance, if your toilet uses around 29% water during flushing, a leakage alone will maximize water usage by more than 30 gallons per day.
Toilets with medium leakages can waste at least 250 gallons of water per day, while those with serious leakages can waste up to 4,000 gallons per day or even more. That’s why it’s vital to attend to toilet leakages quickly.
If your toilet is leaking, turn off the toilet water supply at the toilet’s back and identify the problem. But if you can’t diagnose the issue, get in touch with a professional plumber to help you fix your leaky toilet quickly. Also, you can check our water-saving tips, which are listed below, to minimize your overall water bills annually.
Tips for saving toilet water usage
- If you want to have a lower water bill, you should practice some of these tips.
- Adjust the water level in your toilet bowl if it doesn’t stop.
- If you’re a dual flush toilet, use a partial flush for short calls and a full flush for long calls. Even after cleaning your toilet, you should only use the partial flush to clear soap and other cleaning agents in the bowl.
- Find out if your toilet tank comes with a water line indicator. Always make sure that the water is not below or high in this water line.
- Ensure that the toilet float is below 1 to 2 inches of the float valve and outflow tube.
Bottom line
Knowing how much water a toilet uses can help you acquire the right toilet for your needs. Some toilets are efficient and use less water than others. However, some high-efficiency toilets may require flushing more than once, which ends up using more water. Besides, older toilets use more water than the latest toilet models, while the best toilet for saving water is a dual flush toilet.
Make sure to pick the right toilet. If you want to save water, you push down the drain and get a lower water bill. Additionally, you will be protecting the environment. If you live in states like California and Georgia, you may have to watch the toilet you install as they have strict water requirements.
We are really lucky to have a hard-working, multi-skilled plumber on our team. Collin D. Gallegos, a professional plumber who has worked with us since 2012, is an expert in vent, septic, and drainage systems. He is a Certified Master Plumber and has worked on various commercial plumbing projects. He usually helps our readers resolve plumbing and pipe-related issues with a proper DIY troubleshooting and repair guide.