What's In the Box: What a New Toilet Should Include

Why Knowing What Comes in the Box Matters

Opening a toilet carton for the first time can feel anticlimactic. The porcelain looks right, but then you stare at the cardboard inserts and realize a handful of small plastic bags, a handful of bolts, and a folded instruction sheet are the only companions. Is that everything? Was something left out? Did the shipper damage a part you cannot see?

The answer depends heavily on the brand, the product tier, and whether you bought a one-piece or two-piece model. This guide maps out what every reputable manufacturer consistently includes, what they commonly leave out, and which parts are non-negotiable purchases before any installer can finish the job.

What Components Does a New Toilet Typically Include?

Here is a detailed breakdown of every component you should expect to find -- or specifically check for -- when unboxing a new toilet.

The Porcelain Pieces

Two-piece toilets ship the tank and bowl as separate units packed in a single box or two separate cartons. One-piece models combine both in a single porcelain body. In both cases, visually inspect each porcelain piece immediately for hairline cracks, especially around the base and along the rim where road vibration concentrates during freight.

Tank-to-Bowl Hardware

Two-piece toilets require a tank-to-bowl gasket (a rubber seal that prevents leaks where the tank meets the bowl) and typically two to three tank bolts with nuts, washers, and rubber cushions. These should always be in the hardware bag. TOTO, Kohler, and American Standard all include this hardware as standard, but the exact bolt count varies by model. The TOTO Drake (two-piece) ships with two tank bolts; the American Standard Cadet 3 ships with three for added stability.

Flush Valve and Flapper

The flush valve is the tower assembly inside the tank through which water exits during each flush. Nearly all new toilets include a pre-installed or packaged flush valve. The flapper -- the rubber seal at the base of the flush valve -- is also included, though some premium models, like the TOTO Aquia IV dual-flush, replace the traditional flapper with a sealed tower design that requires no separate flapper at all.

Fill Valve

The fill valve refills the tank after each flush. Most toilets ship with a fill valve pre-assembled or packed separately. Brands like Kohler use the Class Five fill valve assembly; TOTO uses its own proprietary fill valve in Drake and UltraMax II models. These are calibrated to the toilet's target GPF rating, so never replace a factory fill valve with a generic unit without checking the manufacturer's specifications.

Trip Lever and Handle

The flush handle (trip lever) is almost always included. It may be chrome-plated, brushed nickel, or matte black depending on the finish tier of the toilet. Some budget two-piece models ship with a generic plastic lever; premium models from TOTO and Kohler include metal levers that match the bathroom fixture finishes more naturally.

Bolt Caps (Closet Bolt Covers)

Plastic caps that snap over the closet bolts at the base of the toilet are standard inclusions. They hide the nuts and give the base a finished appearance. Check that your box contains both caps and the corresponding plastic base pieces.

Toilet Seat

This is the most common source of buyer confusion. One-piece toilets and comfort-height (ADA-compliant) models from brands like TOTO, Woodbridge, and Swiss Madison typically include a matching seat. Two-piece budget models -- including many American Standard Cadet 3 configurations and certain Kohler Highline variants -- are sold bowl-only and require a separate seat purchase. Always read the model description carefully before assuming a seat is included. The toilet seat can add $30 to $200 or more to the project depending on whether you want soft-close, slow-close hinges, or a bidet seat.

What Is Never Included With a New Toilet?

Understanding what is universally absent from toilet boxes prevents the most common mid-installation delays.

Wax Ring

The wax ring creates a watertight, airtight seal between the toilet base and the floor flange (the pipe fitting set into the bathroom floor). It is a one-time-use part: once compressed, it cannot be reused if the toilet is lifted. Wax rings are available in standard and extra-thick configurations. If your floor flange sits below the finished tile surface -- a common condition after bathroom remodels -- use a jumbo wax ring or a stackable wax ring set to bridge the gap. Wax-free foam gaskets (such as those from Fernco or Fluidmaster) are increasingly popular because they are reusable and allow small adjustments during seating.

Closet Bolts (T-Bolts)

These are the anchor bolts that protrude from the floor flange and hold the toilet base to the floor. Some older toilet removals leave the original closet bolts in place, but they are often corroded and should be replaced. New closet bolts cost very little and are a routine part of any toilet swap. They are never included in the toilet carton because they anchor to the floor, not to the toilet itself.

Water Supply Line

The flexible braided stainless steel line connecting the wall shut-off valve to the fill valve at the bottom of the toilet tank is not included by any major manufacturer. Supply lines come in lengths from 9 inches to 20 inches; measure the distance from your wall valve to the tank inlet before buying. Braided stainless lines with compression fittings are universally preferred over older chromed-copper lines for their flexibility and corrosion resistance.

Thread Seal Tape and Pipe Dope

PTFE tape for the fill valve connection is never included. Most installers wrap two to three layers around threaded fittings before tightening supply line connections to prevent slow drips at the joint.

Does Included Hardware Differ Between One-Piece and Two-Piece Toilets?

The packaging differences between the two toilet types go beyond just the number of cartons.

Two-Piece Specifics

Because the tank and bowl ship separately, two-piece toilets arrive with a tank-to-bowl kit that the installer must assemble. This kit includes the spud gasket (the large rubber washer that sits between tank and bowl), two or three tank bolts with rubber and metal washers, and wing nuts for tightening. Failure to seat the spud gasket properly is the leading cause of tank-to-bowl leaks in DIY installations. The American Standard Champion 4, one of the strongest-flushing two-piece toilets on the market, ships with all of these components clearly labeled in a single hardware bag.

One-Piece Specifics

One-piece models eliminate the tank-to-bowl assembly step entirely. The internal valves are often partially or fully installed at the factory. The TOTO UltraMax II (one-piece) ships with its Tornado Flush double-cyclone nozzles already integrated into the bowl. The Woodbridge T-0001 ships with a soft-close seat included, reducing add-on purchases. The tradeoff is that one-piece toilets are heavier and harder to maneuver through narrow doorways, and replacement of internal valves can be slightly more difficult due to the compact tank design.

How Do Brand Box Contents Compare Across Major Manufacturers?

Here is a brand-by-brand summary of what comes standard, based on published packaging specifications and documented owner reports across multiple models:

TOTO

TOTO is among the most consistent packers in the industry. The TOTO Drake II two-piece ships with all internal valves, tank hardware, and caps -- but no seat. The TOTO Aquia IV dual-flush (two-piece or wall-hung) includes its dual-function flush tower, all tank hardware, and the CeFiONtect glaze coating on the bowl but does not include a seat. The TOTO UltraMax II one-piece includes a SoftClose seat (SС200) and all pre-installed internal components. MaP scores for TOTO Drake models exceed 1,000 grams -- the maximum tested by MaP testing protocols -- at 1.28 GPF, making them among the most efficient flushers available without upgrading to a pressure-assist unit.

Kohler

The Kohler Highline Classic two-piece is a box-only offering: tank, bowl, internal valves, and hardware -- no seat included. The Kohler Cimarron Comfort Height two-piece follows the same pattern. Kohler's Wellworth series is similarly seat-free. This is standard practice for Kohler's two-piece lineup, and buyers consistently note the omission in owner reviews. Kohler does include seats with certain complete-solution bundles, but single-toilet listings are almost always seat-free. The Class Five flushing technology in Cimarron models achieves a MaP score of 1,000 grams at 1.28 GPF with EPA WaterSense certification.

American Standard

American Standard's Cadet 3 and Champion 4 two-piece models ship without seats in the standard listing. The Champion 4's EverClean antimicrobial surface is factory-applied, not an add-on, so the bowl protection is built in. The American Standard H2Option dual-flush ships as a complete kit including the seat in some configurations -- read the specific SKU description before assuming. The Vormax Plus model, which American Standard markets as its clog-resistant flagship, ships without a seat but with a pre-installed flush valve tower that creates a 3-inch opening (versus the standard 2-inch) for exceptional evacuation speed.

Woodbridge

Woodbridge differentiates itself by including a soft-close seat with virtually every model in its lineup, including the T-0001 one-piece, the B-0941 elongated bidet toilet combo, and its Dual-Flush series. This makes Woodbridge one of the better all-in-one purchases for buyers who want to minimize add-ons. MaP scores for Woodbridge models are generally solid in the 500 to 800 gram range, below TOTO and American Standard's best performers, but sufficient for most residential uses.

Swiss Madison

Swiss Madison's Chateau and St. Tropez comfort-height models include soft-close seats as standard. Swiss Madison positions itself in the mid-market aesthetic segment and uses the complete-package approach to justify its price point. EPA WaterSense certification at 1.28 GPF is standard across its current lineup. MaP data for Swiss Madison is less comprehensive than for TOTO or Kohler, so buyers should weigh owner reviews heavily for flushing consistency.

Gerber

Gerber's Avalanche and Viper models are consistently documented as shipping without toilet seats. Gerber is a contractor-grade brand popular in new construction and multi-family housing precisely because builders can standardize seats separately. The Viper's 3-inch flapper and EcoFlush 1.28 GPF technology deliver MaP scores above 800 grams, making it competitive with mid-range TOTO and Kohler models for flushing performance relative to price.

What Should You Inspect Immediately After Unboxing?

Freight damage to porcelain is more common than most buyers expect, particularly with two-piece models where the tank ships loose in the carton. Cracks along the tank base or around mounting holes are the most frequent damage points. Document any damage with photographs before moving the toilet from the shipping area, as freight claims and retailer returns both require visual evidence.

A methodical unboxing sequence saves time and avoids nasty surprises mid-installation:

1. Remove and inspect the bowl first. Set it upright and examine the base and rim from multiple angles with a flashlight or phone torch. Tap gently -- a clear ring indicates solid porcelain; a dull thud may signal a crack.
2. Inspect the tank. Check the tank bolt holes, the underside of the tank, and the water inlet opening (where the supply line connects).
3. Open the hardware bag and count components against the parts list in the instruction sheet. Cross every item off before you start.
4. Check the internal valves. Lift the fill valve and flush valve from their packaging or from inside the tank and confirm no plastic tabs are broken.
5. Verify the seat (if included). Open the seat packaging and confirm both hinge caps are present and the seat is uncracked.

If any component is missing or damaged, contact the retailer or manufacturer before proceeding. Most major brands -- TOTO, Kohler, American Standard -- maintain parts lines where replacement hardware bags can be shipped within a few business days, often at no charge for documented warranty claims.

What Additional Parts Do You Always Need to Buy Separately?

Building your universal toilet installation shopping list before you order the toilet ensures you have everything on hand when the old toilet is removed.

Wax Ring Selection Guide

Standard wax rings work when the floor flange sits flush with the finished floor surface. If the flange sits below the floor surface by more than 1/4 inch -- a common result of tiling over an existing floor -- select a jumbo or double-stack wax ring to ensure a complete seal. Wax-free gaskets (Fluidmaster 7500 series, Fernco WCF-1) are increasingly specified by plumbers in bathrooms with uneven or soft subfloor conditions because they can be re-seated without replacement if the toilet shifts slightly during installation.

Shut-Off Valve Condition

If the existing angle stop or straight-stop shut-off valve at the wall has not been replaced in more than 15 years, the installation is an ideal time to swap it. Compression-style valves degrade over time and may fail to close fully, making any future repairs difficult without shutting off the main. Quarter-turn ball valves are the preferred modern replacement: they open and close in a single 90-degree turn and maintain a reliable seal for decades.

Caulk

Many plumbing codes require caulking around the base of the toilet after installation to prevent liquids from migrating under the base. Use a white, mildew-resistant 100% silicone caulk. Leave a small gap at the rear of the base unfilled -- this allows any future tank or wax ring leak to be visible rather than trapped under the toilet where it could damage the subfloor undetected.

For a complete overview of which toilets earn top marks for flushing performance after they're installed, see our guide to the best flushing toilets across every price range.

Does the Box Include Installation Instructions?

Yes, every toilet from a reputable manufacturer ships with a printed installation guide. TOTO instructions are notably detailed and include torque specifications (in inch-pounds) for tank bolts to prevent over-tightening cracks. Kohler and American Standard instructions are clear but somewhat more brief. Woodbridge instructions are functional but occasionally have minor translation issues that can confuse DIY installers -- when in doubt, their YouTube installation videos provide clarification.

Save the instruction sheet after installation. It contains the model number, trim part numbers for replacement flappers and fill valves, and the warranty claim contact information. Taping it inside the vanity cabinet or photographing it for your phone's notes is a habit professional plumbers recommend.

How Does EPA WaterSense Certification Relate to What's in the Box?

EPA WaterSense certification indicates that a toilet uses 1.28 GPF or less and has been independently tested to meet minimum flushing performance standards. Critically, WaterSense certification is a bowl-and-flush-system specification -- it applies to the complete assembled toilet, not to individual components. The fill valve, flush valve, and flapper that ship inside the box are calibrated together to achieve that specific GPF rating.

Substituting a non-OEM fill valve or an incorrectly sized flapper can push actual water usage above 1.28 GPF or drop flushing performance below acceptable standards. This matters not only for water savings but also for utility rebate eligibility: many municipal water utilities offer $50 to $150 rebates for installing EPA WaterSense certified toilets, and using non-certified replacement parts can void that rebate eligibility.

See our detailed breakdown on 1.28 GPF vs 1.6 GPF toilets to understand how water efficiency differences translate to real annual savings on water bills.

If you're considering a dual-flush model, our dual-flush toilets buyer's guide explains exactly how the dual-flush valve assembly differs from a standard single-flush valve and what that means for long-term maintenance.

For buyers upgrading older bathrooms, our ADA-compliant toilet guide covers what comfort-height models include by default and how they differ from standard-height configurations in both hardware and dimensions.