What is the difference in bar stool heights?

Before diving into styles, materials, and aesthetics, it's paramount to first find out which seat height you need. Getting this fundamental step right is the foundation for ensuring comfort, functionality, and the overall harmony of your space.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A bar stool measures 30-32 inches from the top of the seat to the floor.

A counter stool measures 24-29 inches from the top of the seat to the floor. This is a standard counter height.

The highest seat height we have seen is 40 inches and that is recommended for counters that are 50 inches or higher.

The shortest seat height for a bar stool is 17 inches, but that is also referred to as a vanity stool. Stools at this height are ideal for bathrooms, children’s rooms, and garages.

For a 36 inch counter, a bar stool should have a height of around 24-26 inches. This measurement takes into account the average thickness of a countertop, which is typically around 1 to 2 inches.

For a 42 inch counter, a bar stool should have a seat height of around 30 inches. This measurement takes into account the average thickness of a countertop, which is typically around 1 to 2 inches.

For a 44 inch counter, a bar stool should have a seat height of 32-34 inches. This measurement takes into account the average thickness of a countertop, which is typically around 1 to 2 inches.

For a 48 inch counter, a bar stool should have a height of 36-37 inches. This measurement takes into account the average thickness of a countertop, which is typically around 1 to 2 inches.

For a 50 inch counter, a bar stool should have a seat height of 40 inches. This measurement takes into account the average thickness of a countertop, which is typically around 1 to 2 inches.

While bar stools may vary by manufacturer, if you have purchased a bar stool from us, there are a few options to increase its height. Firstly, you can consider ordering a thicker foot glide specifically designed for our bar stools.

Alternatively, if your bar stool has a wooden seat, you can explore the option of ordering a tie-on seat cushion, which can provide some additional height. Unfortunately, beyond these options, there are limited alternatives for increasing the height of a bar stool.

In the event that you accidentally purchased a bar stool with the incorrect seat height, you may want to consider ordering a base in a different height to meet your specific needs.

Most manufacturers offer the ability to order a new base. Some of them, like our Holland brand, allow returns so you can swap out a base with the right height.

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.

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):

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.

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.

As a rule of thumb, the optimum space between a seat and the table surface is 250mm. This allows for plenty of legroom, as well as the perfect configuration for easy access to drinks and bar nibbles! Customers won’t necessarily notice these measurements and adjustments but it’s this attention to detail and comfort that makes all the difference to the customer experience. Many of our bar stools have the option of being either bar height or counter height, so you can quickly and easily adjust them to suit different spaces and uses. Customer comfort is a key factor if you want people to linger in your space and – ideally – return. However, you might need more counter seating during the day but want to switch over to poseur stool height in the evening, or for certain events, in which case, adjustable stool height will be high on your list of priorities.