The height of counter stools ranges from 24-27.5 inches tall. By comparison, the height of bar stools is from 28-32 inches tall for most standard options, though a type of bar stool called a spectator stool is 33-36 inches tall. Keep in mind that terminology and exact dimensions vary slightly by seller or manufacturer.
This stool height guide gives specific height measurements for bar and counter stool. You will also find additional information about necessary counter or bar stool legroom clearance and other considerations to ensure proper stool height for comfort and functionality. The results will be that you’ll have the details needed to know how to choose the right stool height for your counter or bar.
What Is a Bar Stool’s Height?
Bar stool height is 28 to 32 inches from the floor to the top of the seat. They are designed to fit bar heights in the range of 40-42 inches, though heights might vary by an inch or two from some manufacturers. This stool height and bar top height allows for 8-12 inches of space between the top of the bar stool and the bottom of the bar.
Most bar stools have a fixed height, though some are adjustable bar counter stools that allow you to raise and lower the seat by up to 8 inches from, for example, from 24-32 inches. This means that they can be adjusted to counter height or bar height.
Bar Height
Standard bar height is 40-42 inches from the floor to the top of the bar, though you’ll find bar tops anywhere from about 39 inches to 44 inches. When the height is outside the range from 40-42 inches, extra care has to be taken when choosing the right bar stool height for the bar top.
What Is a Counter Stool’s Height?
Counter height stools are 24 to 27.5 inches from the floor to the top of the seat. Ideally, you should have at least 8 inches of legroom and not more than 12 inches of legroom between the stool and the bottom of the counter. If you buy the tallest counter-height stools, 27.5 inches, and have a countertop on the short side of the range, 34 inches, there might not be enough legroom.
As noted above, some stools are adjustable to as low as 24 inches, making them suitable for counter-height settings, up to 32 inches. The adjustability of the stools allows each user to choose the most comfortable height for them.
Counter Height
Counter height, meaning the top surface of the counter, is 34-36 inches. Non-standard counter heights can range to 38 inches or more, but they are not common.
Before you shop for counter height stools, measure the height of the counter, from the floor to the surface, so that you’re sure you choose stools 8-10 inches from the top of the stool to the bottom of the countertop. If the space is more than 12 inches, reaching the countertop or resting your elbows on it becomes uncomfortable.
Compare Bar Stool and Counter Stool Height to Chair Height
While counter stool height is 24-27.5 inches and bar stool height is 28-32 inches, standard dining table chair height is 18-20 inches from the floor to the top of the seat. This means that using a chair at a counter-height surface will be uncomfortable; using a chair at a bar will be very difficult.
How Much Space is Needed Between the Stool and Bar or Counter?
There should be 8 to 12 inches from the top of the seat to the bottom of the bar or counter. This allows adequate leg space for most people without being so low that reaching the surface is difficult.
Tip: 8-10 inches is the ideal space for children and for adults of smaller stature. 11-12 inches of space between the seat and bottom of the bar or counter is preferred for larger adults.
What Are Spectator Height Stools?
Spectator height stools are tall stools for high counters. These extra tall bar stools are used in locations where extra height off the floor gives users the opportunity to see over others when watching sports or other events. They are typically the tallest type of bar stool available from most sellers. Spectator stools are popular in game rooms and locations where they are placed at the back of the room. Spectator bar stool height is 33-36 inches, or 1-3 inches higher than standard bars stools. They are designed to fit tables and bars 44-47 inches high.
While providing an elevated view, spectator height stools are more difficult to get seated onto and they may pose a falling danger for children and for adults with balance issues.
How to Measure for Choosing Stool Height
Here’s how to measure stool height and counter or bar height to ensure a good fit.
There are three important measurements to take when choosing stools with the right height to go with your counter-height table or your bar.
The first measurement is the distance from the ground to the top of the counter or bar. You will need a stool that allows you to comfortably reach that surface. The height is typically 34-36 inches off the ground for countertops, and for bars, the surface is usually 40-42 inches off the ground.
Secondly, measure from the floor to the bottom of the counter or bar. This measurement is important when choosing a stool with sufficient leg room between the seat and the counter or bar.
Finally, measure from the floor to the top of the seat of any bar stool you are considering, or check the dimensions given on the product page. For comfortable seating for children and most adults, you want 8-12 inches between the seat top and the bottom of the counter or bar.
Use these three measurements to select stools that are tall enough to easily reach the counter or bar surface while still allowing you enough leg room between the stool and bottom of the counter or bar.
FAQs
What’s the difference between bar stools, counter stools, and spectator stools?
Height is the key difference between bar stools, counter stools and spectator stools. Counter stools are the shortest, with seat tops 24-27.5 inches high. Bar stools are next with seats at 28-32 inches high. Spectator height stools are the tallest, with seats 33-36 inches high.
Can counter stools be used at a bar, and vice versa?
No, it generally isn’t a good idea to use counter stools at a bar or bar stools at a counter. Counter stools are too low for a bar, and you would have to reach up to reach food and drink on the bar, which is both awkward and uncomfortable.
And using bar stools at a counter poses two problems. There may not be sufficient leg room between the stool and the bottom of the bar. Secondly, you would have to hunch over to eat or to reach beverages.
If you have both a counter-height surface and a bar-height surface, consider adjustable bar stools. Most are adjustable so that the seat can be made anywhere from about 24 inches to 32 inches high.
