- On this page:
- Common Seat Heights
- Calculators
- Height FAQs
How to Choose the Right Bar Stool Height for Your Kitchen or Bar
Before getting swept up in fabrics and finishes, let’s tackle the one thing that matters most: counter stool height. Once you know that number, choosing your bar stools suddenly becomes so much easier.
How Do You Find the Correct Bar Stool Height?
Here’s the easiest method to figure it out:
- Measure your counter from the floor to the top.
- Subtract 10-12 inches – this is your ideal seat height.
- Order stools that are closest to this seat height.
This gives you enough legroom to sit comfortably without feeling cramped.
Counter vs. Bar vs. Extra Tall Stools: What’s the Difference?
The difference between counter height, bar height, and extra tall stools comes down to seat height and how much space sits between the seat and the counter. Choosing the right height ensures comfortable legroom, proper posture, and a balanced look in your kitchen or bar area.
Seat Heights Explained (Bar Stool Height Chart)
Counter Height Stools (24–26″ Seat Height)
What stool height do you need for a counter height surface? If your counter measures 34–36 inches tall, the ideal counter stool height is 24–26 inches. These stools are designed specifically for standard kitchen counters.
Shop counter height stools
Bar Height Stools (28–30″ Seat Height)
What stool height works best for bar height counters? If your counter or bar table is 40–42 inches tall, choose stools with a 30 inch seat height. These are known as bar height stools.
Shop bar height stools
Spectator Height Stools (34" Seat Height)
What Is spectator height and which stools fit it? For taller pub tables or counters measuring 46–48 inches, look for stools with a 34 inch seat height. These are often called spectator height stools.
Shop spectator height stools
Extra Tall Height Stools (36-37" Seat Height)
What stool height do you need for extra-tall surfaces? If your counter is extremely tall — around 50 inches — you’ll need stools with a 36–37 inch seat height.
Shop extra tall height stoolsBefore You Choose a Height
If you want to test the seat height before ordering, place a dining chair at your counter and raise it with a sturdy stack of books. This gives you a real-world sense of how high the stool should feel for everyday use. These guidelines are a great starting point, but the final decision always comes down to what feels comfortable for you.
Bar Stool Legroom & Clearance Guidelines
Proper legroom and clearance are just as important as seat height when choosing bar stools. For comfortable seating, there should be enough space between the seat and the counter, as well as adequate clearance behind the stool for easy movement.
The diagram below shows the recommended spacing to help ensure your stools feel comfortable and fit your space properly.
Common Bar Stool Buying Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Even with measurements in hand, it’s easy to make small mistakes that affect comfort, fit, and how your space functions day to day. Knowing what to watch out for before you buy can help you choose bar stools that truly work in your kitchen or bar area.
Mistake #1: Buying Based on Overall Height Instead of Seat Height
The most common mistake is focusing on the total height of the stool rather than the seat height. What matters for comfort is the distance between the seat and the counter.
Always measure from the floor to the top of your counter and choose a stool with a seat height that leaves about 10–12 inches of legroom.
How to avoid it: Ignore total height and shop by seat height first.
Note: Overall height still plays an important role in back support and sightlines — lower backs keep views open, while mid- and high-back stools offer more support — but it should never be used to determine seat height.
Mistake #2: Forgetting Arm Clearance Under the Counter
Bar stools with arms can add comfort, but they also require extra clearance. If the arms sit too high, the stool may not slide fully under the counter, affecting spacing and walkways.
How to avoid it: Check arm height measurements and compare them to your counter’s overhang before ordering.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Swivel Clearance
Swivel bar stools need more space than stationary stools because the seat rotates outward as someone sits down, turns, or stands up.
Without enough clearance, stools can bump into walls, cabinets, or neighboring stools, making them awkward to use.
How to avoid it: Plan for extra room around each stool.
Mistake #4: Assuming All Counters (and Stools) Are the Same Height
One common misconception is that all kitchen counters are the same height — or that a stool labeled “counter height” will automatically fit.
In reality, counters can vary depending on design, age of the home, raised islands, or custom builds. Even counters that line up with a sink or surrounding cabinetry aren’t always the same height across the entire surface.
How to avoid it: Measure the exact surface where the stools will be used and choose a seat height based on that measurement, rather than relying on labels alone.
Calculators
Bar Stool Height Calculator
Learn the correct stool height you need to fit comfortably at your counter.
Bar Stool Quantity Calculator
Learn how many stools you need to fit comfortably at your counter.
Bar Stool Height FAQs
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.
Aim for 10–12 inches of space from the top of the seat to the underside of the counter.
This keeps sitting comfortable without your knees feeling crowded.
Grab a tape measure and check:
From floor to the very top of the counter.
Measure in more than one spot, as counters can vary slightly.
Counters today come in a wide range of heights, so measuring is essential.
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 seat height of 26 inches. This measurement takes into account the average thickness of a countertop, which is typically around 1 to 2 inches. Some customers prefer a 24″ seat height which will sit lower, but this is all up to personal preference.
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.
Allow about 20–24 inches of space per stool, depending on the width of the design.
Your counter width will help you determine the right number — our calculator below does the math for you.
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.
