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Toilet stool: does a squat stool help, and which height to pick

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-15.

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Quick answerA toilet stool raises your feet while you sit on the toilet, for a more squat-like position. NIDDK suggests putting your feet on a footstool to make yourself more comfortable if you are constipated. In a small 2019 study of 52 healthy volunteers, using a stool was linked to less straining, fuller emptying and shorter bowel movements, though a 2026 trial after pelvic surgery found no difference in straining. Squatty Potty sells 7 inch and 9 inch stools; taller toilets usually suit the taller size. NIDDK advice on fiber, fluids and activity still applies.
Our picks at a glance

Compare the picks and what to watch out for

What a toilet stool does

A toilet stool lifts your feet so you sit in a more squat-like position. Squatty Potty says its stools help you mimic a natural squat, which it says aligns the colon. For constipation, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) suggests you try to relax your muscles or put your feet on a footstool to make yourself more comfortable.

What the research found

A 2019 study in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology followed 52 healthy volunteers for 4 weeks, 2 weeks without a defecation posture modification device and 2 weeks with one. Across 1119 recorded bowel movements, using the device was linked to fuller emptying and less straining, and bowel movements took longer without it. At the start, 23 of the volunteers (44.2%) reported increased straining and 15 (28.8%) reported incomplete emptying.

A 2026 randomized trial in Urogynecology looked at 150 women after posterior colporrhaphy, a pelvic surgery. Of 160 women enrolled, 150 were analyzed, and the median straining score was 2 out of 10. It found no difference in straining with the first bowel movement between those given a posture device and those who were not, though most patients found the device easy to use and planned to keep using it.

So the evidence is small and mixed: a stool may help some people feel more comfortable, but it is not a treatment on its own.

Choosing a height

Squatty Potty modelHeightMaker notes
Simple7 inchSlimmer than the Original
Original 99 inchFor limber squatters or Comfort Height toilets
Adjustable 2.07 or 9 inchTwo-height design

Details are from Squatty Potty product pages. If you have a taller toilet, Squatty Potty points to its 9 inch stool. If you are unsure, an adjustable stool lets you try both.

Squatty Potty publishes a sizing guide with measurements and dimensions on its 9 inch stool page, which is worth checking against your own toilet before you buy.

Other steps for constipation

Laxatives and stool softeners

NIDDK says your health care professional may recommend a laxative for a short time, that stimulant laxatives should only be used if constipation is severe or other treatments have not worked, and that if you use laxatives for a long time you should talk with your doctor about how to slowly stop. See our stool softener guide and magnesium citrate guide for what those products do.

For hemorrhoids, NIDDK's advice includes not straining; see our hemorrhoid cream guide.

Safety and when to see a doctor

Make sure the stool sits steady on the floor before you step off, especially if your balance is not good; a raised seat or commode may suit some people better. NIDDK notes that if self-care treatments do not work, your doctor may prescribe a medicine for constipation.

See a doctor for blood in your stool, black stools, unexplained weight loss, severe belly pain, or a lasting change in bowel habits.

What to look for when you buy

Squatty Potty Simple 7 inch stool

Best for: Standard-height toilets

Squatty Potty says the 7 inch Simple is a slimmer model that helps you mimic a natural squat.

Watch out: Check it sits flat and stable before use.

See options on Amazon

Squatty Potty Adjustable 7 or 9 inch

Best for: Households with different toilet heights

Squatty Potty lists a two-height design for 7 inch or 9 inch use.

Watch out: Set the height before sitting down.

See options on Amazon

Squatty Potty Original 9 inch

Best for: Comfort Height toilets or limber squatters

Squatty Potty says its 9 inch stool is great for advanced or limber squatters or those with Comfort Height toilets.

Watch out: Too tall for some standard toilets; check the sizing guide.

See options on Amazon
When to talk to a doctor: See a doctor for blood in your stool, black stools, unexplained weight loss, severe belly pain, or constipation that does not improve with self-care.

Questions people ask

Do toilet stools actually work?
A small study of 52 volunteers found less straining and fuller emptying, but a trial after pelvic surgery found no difference; evidence is limited.
Should I get a 7 or 9 inch toilet stool?
Squatty Potty suggests its 9 inch stool for Comfort Height toilets; an adjustable stool lets you try both.
Does NIDDK recommend a footstool?
NIDDK suggests relaxing your muscles or putting your feet on a footstool to make yourself more comfortable.
Can a toilet stool replace fiber?
No. NIDDK advises 22 to 34 grams of fiber a day for adults, plus fluids and activity.
When should I see a doctor for constipation?
If self-care does not work, or for blood in your stool, weight loss or severe pain.

Sources

Sources checked 2026-10-15.

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