NBS Source PartnerHow many toilets do you need per person? That depends on what sector you are in. The toilet ratio per person in a shopping centre and school, for example, will be significantly higher than in a restaurant due to more foot traffic and a higher risk of queues.
Here, we present you with our guide on how many toilets you need in different sectors.
Toilet per Person Requirements for an Office Environment
How many toilets do you need per person in the workplace? Based on the HSE legal requirements and British standards, the toilet requirements for office buildings differ for both women and men. For women, the required number of toilets are as follows:
| Number of Women | Ratio (Number of Toilets to Number of Washbasins) | Explanation |
| 1 - 5 | 1:1 | 1 toilet and 1 washbasin for every 1-5 people. |
| 6 - 25 | 2:2 | 2 toilets and 2 washbasins for every 6-25 people. |
| 26 - 50 | 3:3 | 3 toilets and 3 washbasins for every 26-50 people. |
| 51 - 75 | 4:4 | 4 toilets and 4 washbasins for every 51-75 people. |
| 76 - 100 | 5:5 | 5 toilets and 5 washbasins for every 76-100 people. |
For toilets used by men, the following structure should be followed when determining how many toilets per employee are required in the UK:
| Number of Men | Ratio (Number of Toilets to Number of Urinals to Number of Washbasins) | Explanation |
| 1 - 15 | 1:1:1 | For 1-15 men there should be 1 toilet, 1 urinal and 1 washbasin. |
| 16 - 30 | 2:1:2 | For 16-30 men there should be 2 toilets, 1 urinal and 2 washbasins. |
| 31 - 45 | 2:2:2 | For 31-45 men there should be 2 toilets, 2 urinals, and 2 washbasins. |
| 46 - 60 | 3:2:3 | For 46-60 men there should be 3 toilets, 2 urinals and 3 washbasins. |
| 61 -75 | 3:3:3 | For 61-75 men there should be 3 toilets, 3 urinals and 3 washbasins. |
| 76 - 90 | 4:3:4 | For 76-90 men there should be 4 toilets, 3 urinals and 4 washbasins. |
| 91 - 100 | 4:4:4 | For 91-100 men there should be 4 toilets, 4 urinals and 4 washbasins. |
Requirements for a Shopping Centre
How many toilets do you need per person in a shopping centre? That depends on the size of the shop or shopping centre. If the shop or shopping centre is bigger than 1,000m2, the following requirements should be followed:
| Sanitary ware | Ratio (sanitary ware to males) | Explanation |
| Toilet | 1:500, 1:1000 | For male toilets, if there are 500 men there should be 1 toilet. But for the first 500 men, there should be 1 toilet. |
| Urinal | 2:500, 1:500 | For the first 500 men there should be 2 urinals. Anything after 500 men should follow the ratio of 1 urinal for every 500 men. |
| Washbasin | 1:1, 1:5 | For males, there should be 1 washbasin for 1 toilet and for every 5 urinals, there should be 1 washbasin. |
*For male customers
| Sanitary ware | Ratio (sanitary ware to females) | Explanation |
| Toilet | 1:100, 1:200 | With female toilets, there should be 1 toilet for every 200 women, except for the first 500. In this case, there should be 1 toilet per 100 people. |
| Washbasin | 1:1, 1:2 | The first toilet is equal to 1 washbasin, after the initial first toilet and sink, there should be 1 washbasin per every 2 toilets. |
*For female customers
Requirements for a School Environment
How many toilets do you need per person in a school in the UK? This will vary depending on the students' ages. It's split into 3 categories: nursery-foundation stage (5 years old and under), primary-key stage 1 & 2 (5-11 years) and secondary-key stage 3 and above (11 years old and above).
Pupils who are ages 5 and younger
| Sanitary ware | Sanitary Appliances | Explanation |
| Toilet | 1:10 | There should be 1 toilet per every 10 pupils. As a minimum, all nurseries, no matter the size, should have at least 4 toilets. |
| Washbasin | 1:WC | There should be 1 washbasin per toilet. |
This data shows the guidance and regulations for pupils between the ages of 5 and under.
Pupils between the ages of 5-11
| Sanitary ware | Sanitary Appliances | Explanation |
| Toilet | 1:20 | There should be 1 toilet per every 20 pupils. |
| Washbasin | 1:WC | There should be 1 washbasin for 1 toilet. |
This data shows the guidance and regulations for pupils between the ages of 5-11.
Pupils who are ages 11 and older
| Sanitary ware | Sanitary Appliances | Explanation |
| Boys’ Toilets | 1:20 | For every 20 students, there should at least be 1 boy's restroom. |
| Girls’ Toilets | 1:20 | There should be 1 girls toilet for every 20 pupils. |
| Washbasin | 1:WC, 2:WC | Where there is up to 3 sanitary appliances/ sanitary ware there should be 1 washbasin and 1 toilet available.
If there are over three appliances then the ratio of 2:WC applies. For every 2 washbasins, there should be 1 toilet. |
| Showers & Changing Facilities | n/a | Over the age of 11, showers and changing facilities need to be provided when they receive Physical Education. |
This table shows the guidance and regulations for pupils who are ages 11 and older.
Requirements for a Leisure Centre With a Swimming Pool
How many toilets do you need per person at a leisure centre or swimming pool? This table below shows you the legal requirements and guidance you should follow:
| Sanitary Ware | Male Pool Users | Female Pool Users | Explanation |
| Toilet | 2:100, 1:100 | 1:5, 1:10, 1:50 | For the first 100 males there should be 2 toilets. Following that, there should be one toilet for every 100 males.
For the first 50 females, there should be 1 toilet per 5 females. For the next 50 females up to 100 there should be 1 toilet for every 10 females. After 100 there should be 1 toilet per 50 females. |
| Urinal | 1:20, 1:80 | n/a | For the first 100 males there should be 1 urinal for every 20 men. After 100 there should be 1 urinal for every 80 men. |
| Washbasin | 1:WC, 1:5WC | 1:2 WC | For males, there should be one washbasin for every urinal and one washbasin for every five toilets.
There should be at least one washbasin for females in a washroom. Additionally there should be two washbasins for every 2 toilets. |
| Shower | 1:10 | 1:10 | For males there should be one shower for every ten males.
For females, there should be one shower for every ten females. |
Requirements for a Public Building
Public buildings include, but are in no ways excluded stadiums, cinemas, and theatres. How many toilets per person do they require?
| Sanitary Ware | Male Visitors | Female Visitors | Explanation |
| Toilets | 2:250, 1:250 | 2:20, 1:20, 1:25 | For the first 250 male visitors there should be 2 toilets. Following that, there should be one toilet for every 250 visitors.
For the first 20 female visitors, there should be 2 toilets. The ratio of 1 toilet per 20 female visitors should be followed up to 500 females. After 500 visitors there should be 1 toilet per 25 female visitors. |
| Urinals | 2:50, 1:50 | n/a | For the initial 50 male visitors there should be 2 urinals. After this, there should be 1 urinal for every 50 male visitors. |
| Washbasin | 1:1, 1:5 | 1:1, 1:2 | For male visitors there should be 1 washbasin per every toilet. There should also be 1 washbasin for every 5 urinals.
1 washbasin equates to one toilet, additionally, there should be 1 more washbasin for every 2 additional toilets. |
Requirements for a Religious Building
How many toilets do you need per person in a religious building?
When visiting a religious buildings, it is common to see gender-neutral bathrooms. Below we will explain how many toilet facilities you should have based on your number of staff members, volunteers and visitors. Disabled toilets may be available too.
| Ratios | Toilets | Explanation |
| Ratio of staff to toilets | 5:1 | Where there are up to 5 staff or volunteers at the religious building there should be 1 toilet. |
| Ratio of visitors to toilets | 25:2 | When a religious building has up to 25 people within it there should be 2 toilets available. |
Requirements for a Hostel, Guest House or Bed and Breakfast
The number of toilets required per person in a hostel, guest house, or bed and breakfast will vary depending on the location. It is best to check with your local authority before beginning any work to ensure that it is in accordance with guidelines and regulations.
Requirements in Restaurants and Food Courts
| Sanitary Ware | Male Customers | Female Customers | Explanation |
| Toilet | 2:150, 1:250, 2:50 | 2:30, 1:30, 1:60 | For the initial 150 males there should be two toilets. Following on from this there should be one toilet for every 250 people. If urinals are not provided then this figure changes to 2 toilets per every 50 men.
For females there should be two toilets for the first 30 females. There should be an additional toilet for every 30 females up to 120. For every 60 customers after this there should be one toilet. |
| Urinal | 1:60, 1:100 | n/a | For the first 120 males there should be 1 urinal per 30 males. Additionally, if there are 100 more males there should be 1 urinal added. |
| Washbasin | 1:WC, 1:5 | 1:WC | For male customers there should be 1 washbasin per toilet. If there are urinals in the washroom then there should be 1 washbasin per 5 urinals.
For female customers there should be 1 washbasin for every 1 toilet. |
Requirements in Pubs, Bars and Nightclubs
| Sanitary Ware | Male Customers | Female Customers | Explanation |
| Toilets | 2:150, 1:200, 2:40 | 2:25, 1:25, 1:35 | For the initial 150 males there should be 2 toilets. There should be at least one toilet for every additional 200 males. If urinals are not available, there should be two toilets for every 40 males.
The initial 25 females should have 2 toilets. The ratio of 1 toilet for every 25 females applies up to 200 females. After this there should be 1 toilet for every 35 females. |
| Urinal | 1:50, 1:70 | n/a | 1 urinal should be available for every 50 males. |
| Washbasin | 1:WC, 1:5 | 1:2 | For male customers there should be a washbasin for every 1 toilet. Alongside this, there should be 1 washbasin for every 5 urinals.
As a minimum female customers should have at least 1 washbasin. According to the ratio, there should be one washbasin for every 2 toilets. |
How Many Toilets Do You Need per Person?
Whatever you're requirements, as a trusted toilet cubicle provider, we know how many toilets per person you are legally required to have across a variety of industries. Get in touch today to find out more about how we can help.
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