How Many Toilets Are Required in Commercial Buildings?

Starting a commercial washroom project can feel complex - especially when navigating legal requirements and compliance. Whether you're designing facilities for an office, retail space, school or entertainment venue, one of the first questions you'll need to answer is:

This guide is designed for contractors, facility managers and archiitects in the UK. It explains current requirements based on the Workplace HSE (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. 

How Many Commercial Toilet Cubicles Do I Need for Corporate Washrooms?

The number of toilet cubicles needed in a commercial washroom depends on the number of employees present at the same time. Future-proofing your facilities for anticipated growth is also a smart move. It’s important to note that there are separate requirements for male and female toilets, outlined below:

Female WC Cubicle (or mixed use) in Corporate Washrooms

Number of Employees Number of WCs Number of Washbasins
1 - 5 1 1
6 - 25 2 2
26 - 50 3 3
51 - 75 4 4
76 - 100 5 5

 

Male WC Cubicle in Corporate Washrooms

Number of Employees Number of WCs  Number of Urinals Number of Washbasins
1 - 15 1 1 1
16 - 30 2 1 2
31 - 45 2 2 2
46 - 60 3 2 3
61 - 75 3 3 3
76 - 90 4 3 4
91 - 100 4 4 4

 

Take a look at our range of washroom solutions specifically designed for the commercial sector, including toilet cubicles, IPS Wall Panels and Commercial Vanity Units.  

Retail & Shopping Centre Requirements

For retail environments (typically over 1,000m²), facilities must be provided for customers. These are usually based on expected footfall, not staff numbers. 

Male toilets in Retail Washrooms Required:

  • One toilet and two urinals per 500 male customers
  • Another toilet for every additional 1,000 customers
  • Another urinal for every additional 500 customers

Female toilets in Retail Washrooms Required:

  • One toilet per 500 female customers
  • One toilet for every additional 200 customers

Washbasins in Retail Washrooms Required:

  • One washbasin per male toilet plus one for every five urinals.
  • One washbasin per female toilet plus one for every two extra toilets.

Take a look at our range of washroom solutions dedicated to the entertainment and retail sector, designed to ensure a welcoming and premium atmosphere.

School Toilet Cubicle Requirements

In education settings, requirements depend on:

  • Age of pupils
  • usage frequency
  • School size

The Department for Education sets out:

School Toilets:

Age Number of Children Number of Urinals Number of Washbasins
Under 5 10 1 1
5 to 11 20 1 1
Over 11 20 1 1

Discover our range of DfE compliant Education sector washroom solutions. Designed for a range of age groups including; nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools and universities. 

Common Frequently Asked Questions

Q) How many toilets per employee in the UK?

A) This depends on employee numbers, for example, between 1 - 5 employees require at least 1 toilet and 1 washbasin 

Q) Do workplaces need separate male and female toilets?

A) Yes, unless unisex or single-occupany facilities are appropriate and compliant

Q) Are unisex toilets allowed in the UK?

A) Yes, particuarly for smaller workplaces or where individual lockable rooms are provided

Q) How many toilets are required for 50 employees?

A) Typically:

  • 3 toilet cubicles for Female washrooms
  • between 2-3 WC's and urinals for Male washrooms

Find the Right Washroom Solution

At TBS Amwell, we specialise in providing tailored commercial washroom solutions for every sector. From workplace washrooms to school facilities and retail cubicles, we’ve delivered high-quality, durable designs across the UK.

Explore Our Case Studies:

Workplace/Office washrooms

- Havelock & Lacuna Place

- National Grid

Education / School washrooms

- Leigh Academy

- Tring School

Now that you know the answer to how many bathrooms per employee, it’s time to get started on your commercial toilet refurbishment. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can bring your project to life. Alternatively, we have plenty of other news content available to provide guidance on washroom project. Discover our News and Article page today.