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Best Toilet Fill Valves of 2026

The fill valve is the tall part on the left side of your toilet tank that refills it after every flush, and when it fails the toilet runs, hisses, fills slowly or never shuts off, wasting hundreds of gallons a day. The good news is that a fill valve is a roughly ten-dollar part and a fifteen-minute fix, and the modern float-cup designs that replaced the old brass ballcock are quieter, more reliable and easier to adjust than anything that came before. We ranked the best toilet fill valves by published height-adjustment range, the anti-siphon and code compliance that keep them safe and legal, refill speed, the patterns across hundreds of thousands of aggregated owner reviews and how forgiving each one is to install for a first-time DIYer.

Why Trust Best Flushing Toilets

  • Verified height-adjustment range and tank-size compatibility
  • Anti-siphon design and ASSE 1002 / cUPC code compliance
  • Refill speed and quiet operation versus the old ballcock
  • Universal fit, leak resistance and ease of a first-time install
  • Long-term reliability and aggregated owner reviews across hundreds of thousands of installs

Research updated June 2026.

Quick Answer

The Fluidmaster 400A is the best toilet fill valve for most tanks. Its anti-siphon float-cup design fits nearly every standard toilet, adjusts in seconds by twisting the shank, and is the most widely installed valve in North America, which is why it is the safe default repair. For the fastest, quietest refill choose the Fluidmaster 400AH PerforMAX, and for the quietest budget swap pick the Korky 528 QuietFILL.

A toilet fill valve is the single most replaced part inside a toilet tank, and for good reason. Every time you flush, the fill valve opens to let fresh water refill the tank to the set level, then shuts off so the tank sits ready for the next flush. It is a part under constant cycling, exposed to whatever minerals and grit are in your water, and when its seal or float wears out the symptoms are loud and expensive: a toilet that runs continuously, hisses, ghost-flushes on its own, refills painfully slowly, or fills past the overflow tube and never stops. A running toilet is the most common big water waster in a home, capable of pushing through a couple hundred gallons a day, so a worn fill valve is worth catching fast. The fix is reassuringly cheap and simple. A universal fill valve costs about as much as a fast-food meal, installs with one hand-tightened nut and no special tools, and modern float-cup valves are far quieter and more reliable than the brass ballcock-and-float-ball setup they replaced.

We do not install or bench-test these valves ourselves. Instead we compare published manufacturer specifications, the height-adjustment range that decides whether a valve fits your tank, anti-siphon and code compliance, refill speed and noise, universal fit and the patterns across hundreds of thousands of verified owner reviews. For a repair part the priorities are specific. Beyond simply does it stop the running, we asked five questions of every valve here: how wide is the height-adjustment range and what tanks does it fit, is it anti-siphon and ASSE 1002 / code compliant so it is safe and legal, how fast and quiet is the refill, does it install universally with hand tools in minutes, and does it hold up over years rather than failing again in a season. Every valve below pairs a genuine, lasting fix with a forgiving install. If your toilet trouble is not the fill valve, our guide to the best toilet flappers of 2026 covers the other half of the tank, and our pillar guide to the best flushing toilets covers the fixture itself.

What Is the Best Toilet Fill Valve?

The Fluidmaster 400A is the best toilet fill valve for most tanks because its anti-siphon float-cup design fits nearly every standard two-piece and one-piece toilet, adjusts from about 9 to 14 inches by twisting the shank, and is the most widely sold and installed valve in North America, making it the safe default repair with parts available everywhere. For the fastest, quietest refill the Fluidmaster 400AH PerforMAX is the best choice because it fills up to twice as fast and adjusts over a wider 10 to 15 inch range, and the Korky 528 QuietFILL is the best budget pick because its quiet-fill design and low price make it the easiest no-stress swap.

How We Research and Rank Toilet Fill Valves

Every valve here had to stop a running or slow-filling toilet and stay fixed, while installing in minutes for someone who has never opened a tank before. We started with the height-adjustment range, because a fill valve that does not extend to your tank's water line, or does not shorten enough for a compact tank, simply will not work; the best valves telescope or twist across a wide range so one part fits almost any toilet. We confirmed anti-siphon design and code compliance next, since a fill valve sits where tank water could in theory back-siphon into the home supply, and ASSE 1002 listing plus a built-in air gap is what keeps that from happening and what local plumbing codes require. We weighted refill speed and noise heavily, because a slow fill ties up the toilet between uses and a screaming ballcock-style refill is the classic complaint that sends people shopping. We rewarded genuinely universal fits with hand-tightened shank nuts and adjustable refill tubes, the features that make an install forgiving, and we favored valves with a long track record of not failing again in a season. Throughout, we weighted verifiable specs and aggregated owner feedback over marketing language, and we do not take payment for placement. The table below summarizes how the picks compare on the numbers that decide a fill valve.

Fill ValveBest ForHeight RangeTypeAnti-SiphonRatingCheck Price
Fluidmaster 400ABest overall9-14 in.Float cupYes4.7Check price
Fluidmaster 400AH PerforMAXFastest refill10-15 in.Float cupYes4.7Check price
Korky 528 QuietFILLBest budget / quiet7.5-13.5 in.Float cupYes4.6Check price
Fluidmaster 400CR Complete KitBest complete repair9-14 in.Float cupYes4.6Check price
Korky 528MP QuietFILL PlatinumBest premium build7.5-13.5 in.Float cupYes4.6Check price
Fluidmaster B1G2Most universal range9-14 in.Float cupYes4.6Check price
Kohler GP1083167Best OEM for KohlerFixed OEMFloat cupYes4.5Check price
Fluidmaster 400CRP14Best for hard water9-14 in.Float cupYes4.5Check price

The 8 Best Toilet Fill Valves, Reviewed

Fluidmaster 400A toilet fill valve
1
Best Overall

Fluidmaster 400A

4.7 Universal fit, proven everywhere

The Fluidmaster 400A is the fill valve we recommend to almost everyone because it is the part the rest of the category is measured against. It is the most widely sold anti-siphon fill valve in North America, fits nearly every standard toilet, adjusts in seconds, and is stocked in every hardware store, so when a toilet runs this is the safe, no-research repair.

Height Range9 to 14 in. (twist shank)
Valve TypeAnti-siphon float cup
CompatibilityUniversal, most standard tanks
CodeASSE 1002, anti-siphon
InstallHand-tightened shank nut
Best For
  • Most standard two-piece and one-piece toilets
  • First-time DIYers wanting a foolproof swap
  • Anyone who values parts being everywhere
Not Ideal For
  • Buyers wanting the fastest possible refill
  • Tall tanks needing more than 14 inches

The reason it works is the float-cup design Fluidmaster popularized: instead of a brass arm and a float ball that hangs across the tank, the float is a cup that rides up and down the valve body itself. That makes it quieter, more compact and far less prone to the sticking and drift that plagued old ballcocks. The height adjusts by twisting the shank to telescope the body between roughly 9 and 14 inches, covering the vast majority of tanks, and the water level is set with a simple clip on the float. The whole thing seats on one hand-tightened shank nut, so no wrench is strictly required and there is little to get wrong.

Owners consistently describe the 400A as the valve that finally stopped a running toilet in fifteen minutes, with the universal fit and everywhere-availability drawing the most praise across hundreds of thousands of reviews. Because it is the default repair, replacement parts and seals are trivial to find years later. The trade-offs are minor: its refill is normal speed rather than the rapid fill of the PerforMAX, and very tall tanks can exceed its 14-inch reach. As the safe, proven, universally available fix, nothing else is an easier recommendation.

Expert Take

If your toilet is running and you just want it fixed without overthinking it, buy this one. The float-cup design is quiet and reliable, the 9 to 14 inch twist range fits almost any tank, and because it is the most installed valve in the country, the part and every seal for it are available anywhere for the life of the toilet.

Check price on Amazon
Bottom Line: The best toilet fill valve overall, a universal, foolproof anti-siphon swap that fits almost any tank and is stocked everywhere.
Fluidmaster 400AH PerforMAX toilet fill valve
2
Fastest Refill

Fluidmaster 400AH PerforMAX

4.7 Rapid, quiet fill and wide range

The Fluidmaster 400AH PerforMAX is the upgrade pick, taking the proven 400-series design and engineering it for a faster, quieter fill and a wider fit. It refills the tank up to twice as fast as a standard valve and adjusts across a taller 10 to 15 inch range, making it the choice for big tanks and for anyone tired of waiting for the toilet to be ready again.

Height Range10 to 15 in. (twist shank)
Valve TypeHigh-performance float cup
RefillUp to 2x faster fill
CodeASSE 1002, anti-siphon
InstallHand-tightened shank nut
Best For
  • Large or tall tanks needing more reach
  • Busy bathrooms that want a fast reset
  • Cutting refill noise to a quiet hum
Not Ideal For
  • Homes with very low water pressure
  • Shoppers wanting the cheapest valve

The PerforMAX uses a larger internal flow path and a refined seal to move more water per second, which is what cuts the refill time roughly in half on a typical tank while keeping the operation quiet. The taller 10 to 15 inch adjustment covers high-tank and large-capacity toilets that can stretch a standard 400A, and it keeps the same one-nut universal install and anti-siphon code compliance. It is, in effect, the 400A engineered for performance, so it suits anyone who found a standard valve slow or who has a tank a basic valve cannot reach.

Owners praise how quickly the tank is ready again between flushes and how quiet the fill is compared with the valve they removed, with several noting it solved a tall-tank fit a standard valve could not. The faster fill is most noticeable in busy households. The trade-offs are small: it costs a little more than the plain 400A, and the rapid-fill benefit shrinks in homes with weak water pressure, where the supply, not the valve, sets the speed. For the fastest, quietest fill in the lineup, it is the clear pick.

Expert Take

Choose the PerforMAX when refill speed or tank height is the issue. The wider internal path fills up to twice as fast and stays quiet, and the 10 to 15 inch range reaches the tall tanks that defeat a standard valve, all with the same foolproof one-nut install. It is the obvious upgrade for a busy family bathroom.

Check price on Amazon
Bottom Line: The fastest fill valve here, refilling up to twice as fast over a wider 10 to 15 inch range while staying quiet.
Korky 528 QuietFILL toilet fill valve
3
Best Budget / Quiet

Korky 528 QuietFILL

4.6 Quiet fill at a low price

The Korky 528 QuietFILL is the value benchmark and the quiet specialist. Korky engineered the refill path to run noticeably quieter than a standard valve, and the QuietFILL fits a wide range of tanks while costing little, making it the easy no-stress swap when a toilet runs or hisses.

Height Range7.5 to 13.5 in. (twist shank)
Valve TypeAnti-siphon float cup
NoiseQuiet-fill engineered path
CodecUPC listed, anti-siphon
InstallTool-free, hand-tightened
Best For
  • Quietening a loud, hissing refill
  • Value shoppers and multi-toilet homes
  • Compact tanks that need a shorter valve
Not Ideal For
  • Buyers set on the most common OEM part
  • The very fastest possible refill

The QuietFILL name describes the engineering: Korky shapes the water exit to break up the rushing-water sound that makes a refilling toilet so noticeable, especially in a small or shared bathroom. The valve twists between 7.5 and 13.5 inches, so it shortens further than many rivals for compact and low-profile tanks while still reaching standard ones. It is anti-siphon and code listed, installs tool-free on a hand-tightened nut, and Korky backs it with a long warranty, all at a price that makes outfitting several toilets at once painless.

Owners single out how much quieter the toilet became after the swap and how cheap and quick the fix was, with the wide-but-short height range solving compact-tank fits that a taller-only valve cannot. It is a genuine Fluidmaster alternative that many prefer for noise alone. The trade-offs: Korky is slightly less ubiquitous than Fluidmaster for finding parts in a pinch, and the fill is standard speed rather than the rapid fill of the PerforMAX. For a quiet, inexpensive, easy repair, it is the standout value.

Expert Take

Buy the Korky 528 when a noisy refill is the complaint or the budget is tight. The quiet-fill path makes a real difference in a small bathroom, the 7.5 inch low end fits compact tanks others miss, and at this price you can quiet every toilet in the house for the cost of one premium valve.

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Bottom Line: The best budget fill valve, pairing a genuinely quiet refill and a wide, compact-friendly range with a low price.
Fluidmaster 400CR toilet fill valve and flapper kit
4
Best Complete Repair

Fluidmaster 400CR Complete Kit

4.6 Valve and flapper in one fix

The Fluidmaster 400CR is the do-it-once kit, pairing the proven 400A fill valve with a matching flapper so you replace both wear parts of the tank in a single repair. When a toilet both runs and ghost-flushes, the cause is often a tired valve and a tired flapper together, and this kit fixes both at once.

Height Range9 to 14 in. (twist shank)
Includes400A valve + flapper
Valve TypeAnti-siphon float cup
CodeASSE 1002, anti-siphon
InstallHand-tightened, tool-free
Best For
  • Toilets that both run and ghost-flush
  • Older toilets due for a full tank refresh
  • Fixing it once instead of twice
Not Ideal For
  • People whose flapper is still good
  • Non-standard flush valve seats

The logic of the kit is that the fill valve and the flapper are the two parts that wear, and they tend to wear together. The 400CR pairs the same universal 400A valve with a flapper sized for the common 2-inch flush valve, so one purchase and one fifteen-minute session refreshes the whole tank. Both pieces install tool-free, the valve adjusts 9 to 14 inches as on the standard 400A, and the included flapper takes the guesswork out of matching a separate replacement. For an aging toilet it is the efficient choice that heads off a second repair a month later.

Owners value getting both wear parts in one box and fixing a toilet that was both running and randomly refilling in a single go, with the universal fit and tool-free install drawing the usual praise. The only caveats are situational: if your flapper is genuinely still good you pay a little for a part you may not need, and toilets with an unusual flush valve seat may want a flapper matched to that seat instead. As a complete, do-it-once tank repair, it is the standout. If only the flapper is failing, see our guide to the best toilet flappers of 2026.

Expert Take

Choose the 400CR when the toilet is old enough that both the valve and the flapper are suspect, which is most toilets over a decade old. Replacing both at once on a single afternoon costs little more than the valve alone and saves you opening the tank again next month when the other part fails.

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Bottom Line: The best complete repair, bundling the universal 400A valve with a flapper to refresh the whole tank in one fix.
Korky 528MP QuietFILL Platinum toilet fill valve
5
Best Premium Build

Korky 528MP QuietFILL Platinum

4.6 Durable build, quiet fill

The Korky 528MP QuietFILL Platinum is the heavy-duty version of Korky's quiet valve, built with metal-shank durability and a tougher seal to resist the wear and hard-water grit that shorten a basic valve's life. It pairs the same quiet refill with a build meant to last, for buyers who want to fix the toilet once and forget it.

Height Range7.5 to 13.5 in. (twist shank)
Valve TypeAnti-siphon float cup, metal shank
DurabilityHard-water resistant seal
CodecUPC listed, anti-siphon
InstallTool-free, hand-tightened
Best For
  • Hard-water homes that chew up valves
  • Buyers wanting the longest service life
  • A quiet refill with a premium feel
Not Ideal For
  • Shoppers chasing the lowest price
  • Soft-water homes where a basic valve lasts

The Platinum upgrades the standard 528 with a sturdier metal-reinforced shank and a more robust internal seal designed to shrug off the mineral grit that wears out the rubber and plastic in cheaper valves. It keeps the quiet-fill path and the wide 7.5 to 13.5 inch adjustment, so it fits and quiets the same tanks while lasting longer in punishing water. Korky backs it with one of the longer warranties in the category, which signals the confidence behind the heavier build. For a hard-water home where valves seem to fail every couple of years, the extra durability pays for itself.

Owners in hard-water areas praise how long the Platinum lasts compared with the valves they kept replacing, along with the quiet operation and the easy install. It feels more solid in the hand than a basic valve. The trade-offs are simple: it costs more than the standard 528, and in a soft-water home a basic valve may last nearly as long, making the premium less necessary. Where water is hard, though, it is the most durable quiet valve here.

Expert Take

Reach for the 528MP Platinum when your water is hard and you are tired of replacing valves. The reinforced shank and tougher seal resist the mineral grit that kills basic valves early, and the quiet-fill path comes along for the ride. In soft water the standard 528 is plenty; in hard water this is the buy-once choice.

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Bottom Line: The most durable quiet valve, adding a metal shank and hard-water seal to Korky's quiet-fill design for a buy-once repair.
Fluidmaster B1G2 universal adjustable fill valve
6
Most Universal Range

Fluidmaster B1G2

4.6 Fits the widest range of tanks

The Fluidmaster B1G2 is the universal-fit specialist, an adjustable anti-siphon valve sold as the all-purpose answer for unknown or odd tanks. When you are not sure exactly what your toilet takes, this is the valve built to fit the broadest spread of standard tanks with the least fuss.

Height Range9 to 14 in. (twist shank)
Valve TypeAnti-siphon float cup
CompatibilityUniversal, broad tank fit
CodeASSE 1002, anti-siphon
InstallTool-free, hand-tightened
Best For
  • Unknown, older or odd-brand tanks
  • Landlords keeping one valve on hand
  • A genuinely universal default repair
Not Ideal For
  • Those wanting a brand-matched OEM part
  • The fastest refill performance

The B1G2 is essentially Fluidmaster's universal-fit valve, twisting across the same dependable 9 to 14 inch range as the 400A and sharing the float-cup reliability, but positioned as the keep-one-on-hand answer for any toilet. Its strength is breadth: it fits the standard tanks of nearly every brand, installs tool-free on a single nut, and meets anti-siphon code, so a landlord or handyman can stock one valve and fix almost any running toilet they meet. It is the pragmatic choice when you do not know, or do not want to look up, exactly what the toilet originally used.

Owners value it as the valve that fit when they were not sure what they needed, with the tool-free install and broad compatibility earning the most mentions. It is a favorite of people who maintain several toilets. The caveats are familiar: it is a standard-speed fill rather than a rapid fill, and brand purists with a specific OEM toilet may prefer the matched factory part. As the buy-it-and-it-fits universal valve, though, it is hard to beat.

Expert Take

Keep a B1G2 on the shelf if you manage more than one toilet or are buying for a tank you have not opened yet. The 9 to 14 inch range and universal float-cup design fit nearly any standard toilet, so one valve covers most repairs you will ever face, tool-free and code compliant.

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Bottom Line: The most universal fill valve, built to fit the widest spread of standard tanks when you are not sure what you need.
Kohler GP1083167 fill valve
7
Best OEM for Kohler

Kohler GP1083167

4.5 Exact factory fit for Kohler

The Kohler GP1083167 is the genuine factory fill valve for many Kohler toilets, the right answer when you want an exact OEM match rather than a universal substitute. For Kohler tanks engineered around a specific fill valve, the factory part drops in cleanly and preserves the toilet's intended behavior.

Height RangeKohler-spec fixed fit
Valve TypeAnti-siphon float cup
CompatibilityGenuine Kohler OEM part
CodeAnti-siphon
InstallDirect factory replacement
Best For
  • Kohler toilets needing an exact match
  • Preserving factory fit and water level
  • Buyers who prefer genuine OEM parts
Not Ideal For
  • Non-Kohler toilets
  • Shoppers wanting the cheapest universal valve

The case for an OEM valve is fit and predictability. Kohler designs some tanks around the dimensions and flow of a specific fill valve, and dropping in the genuine GP1083167 means the height, the water level and the refill behave exactly as the engineers intended, with no fiddling to match a universal part to a non-standard tank. It is anti-siphon like the universal valves, installs as a direct replacement, and removes the guesswork of whether a generic valve will sit right in a Kohler tank. For a Kohler owner who values an exact match, it is the cleanest repair.

Owners with Kohler toilets praise the drop-in fit and the confidence that the factory part will behave correctly, avoiding the trial-and-error some report when forcing a universal valve into a particular Kohler tank. The trade-offs are clear: it costs more than a universal valve and only suits the Kohler models it is made for, so it is not the pick for a mixed-brand household. For a Kohler tank specifically, though, the genuine part is the surest fit.

Expert Take

Buy the GP1083167 when you own a Kohler toilet and want the repair to be invisible. The genuine part matches the tank's intended height and fill so there is nothing to adjust, which is worth the premium on a Kohler model that a universal valve fits awkwardly. For any other brand, a Fluidmaster or Korky is the better value.

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Bottom Line: The best OEM choice for Kohler tanks, a genuine factory valve that drops in with no adjustment and preserves intended fit.
Fluidmaster 400CRP14 fill valve with cleansing device
8
Best for Hard Water

Fluidmaster 400CRP14

4.5 Self-cleaning, debris-resistant

The Fluidmaster 400CRP14 adds a cleansing or filtered design to the proven 400-series valve, aimed at homes where mineral grit and sediment foul a normal valve. It is the pick for hard-water and well-water tanks, where keeping debris out of the seal is the difference between a valve that lasts and one that fails in a season.

Height Range9 to 14 in. (twist shank)
Valve TypeAnti-siphon float cup
Hard WaterCleansing / debris-resistant design
CodeASSE 1002, anti-siphon
InstallTool-free, hand-tightened
Best For
  • Hard-water and well-water homes
  • Tanks where grit fouls a normal valve
  • Reducing valve replacement frequency
Not Ideal For
  • Soft-water homes with no debris issue
  • Buyers wanting the cheapest plain valve

The 400CRP14 keeps the universal 400-series fit and the 9 to 14 inch adjustment but adds a design tuned to handle sediment and mineral debris, the leading cause of fill valves that begin to leak or refuse to shut off in hard or well water. By keeping grit away from the sealing surface, it stays reliable where a basic valve clogs and weeps. It installs the same tool-free way, meets anti-siphon code, and is the sensible choice for anyone who has watched ordinary valves fail repeatedly because of their water. For most municipal supplies it is more valve than needed, but for problem water it earns its keep.

Owners on well water and in hard-water regions praise how much longer it lasts than the standard valves they kept swapping, crediting the debris-resistant design with ending a cycle of repeat repairs. It installs exactly like any 400-series valve. The trade-offs are minor: it costs a little more than a plain 400A, and in soft-water homes with no debris problem the extra design buys little. Where water is hard or sediment-laden, though, it is the most dependable choice here.

Expert Take

Pick the 400CRP14 if you are on well water or in a hard-water area and ordinary valves keep failing. The debris-resistant design keeps grit off the seal, which is the usual reason a fill valve starts to weep or run in mineral-heavy water, so it lasts where a plain valve does not. On clean municipal water, the standard 400A is enough.

Check price on Amazon
Bottom Line: The best fill valve for hard water, adding a debris-resistant design to the proven 400-series fit so grit cannot foul the seal.
Expert Take

Across all eight picks, one pattern holds: the float-cup design has made the modern fill valve cheap, quiet and almost foolproof, and the differences come down to fit and water quality rather than whether it works. The Fluidmaster 400A and B1G2 win on universal fit and everywhere-availability, the PerforMAX on refill speed and tall-tank reach, the Korky 528 on quiet operation at a low price, and the Platinum and 400CRP14 on surviving hard water that destroys basic valves. The 400CR bundles a flapper so you fix the whole tank at once, and the Kohler OEM part is the clean answer for a Kohler tank. Every one is anti-siphon and code compliant, every one installs in fifteen minutes on a single hand-tightened nut, and every one stops the running and hissing that wastes the most water in a home. Match the height range to your tank and the build to your water, and a ten-dollar part fixes a problem that would otherwise cost you hundreds of gallons a day.

How Do I Know If My Toilet Fill Valve Is Bad?

A bad toilet fill valve usually shows up as a toilet that runs or hisses continuously, refills very slowly, ghost-flushes on its own, or fills past the overflow tube and never shuts off. To confirm it, take off the tank lid and watch a flush refill: if water keeps trickling into the overflow tube after the tank is full, or the valve hisses without filling, the fill valve has failed and should be replaced. A running toilet can waste a couple hundred gallons of water a day, so a bad valve is worth fixing immediately.

How Long Does a Toilet Fill Valve Last?

A quality toilet fill valve typically lasts about 5 to 7 years, though this varies widely with water quality. In soft, clean municipal water a valve can last a decade, while in hard or well water with mineral grit and sediment it may begin to leak or stick after just a few years. Replacing the valve is inexpensive and quick, so when a toilet starts running or filling slowly it is usually cheaper to swap the whole valve than to keep cleaning a failing one.

How to Choose a Toilet Fill Valve

Choosing a fill valve comes down to confirming it fits your tank, then matching its design to your water and your goals. The checks below cover the few things that decide whether the repair is clean and lasting.

Match the height to your tank

The one specification that must fit is height. A fill valve has to extend so its critical anti-siphon level sits above the tank's water line, and it has to shorten enough not to hit the lid on a compact tank. Most universal valves, like the Fluidmaster 400A, twist between roughly 9 and 14 inches, which covers the majority of tanks; the PerforMAX reaches taller at 10 to 15 inches for high-tank toilets, and the Korky 528 shortens further to 7.5 inches for compact and low-profile tanks. Measure from the bottom of the tank, where the valve threads through, up to the top of the overflow tube to gauge the height you need before you buy.

Insist on anti-siphon and code compliance

Every fill valve sold for a modern toilet should be anti-siphon, meaning it has a built-in air gap that prevents tank water from ever back-siphoning into your home's drinking supply if the main line loses pressure. This is not optional: an ASSE 1002 listing, marked on the package, is what plumbing codes require and what keeps the repair legal and safe. Every valve in this guide is anti-siphon and code listed. Avoid old-style brass ballcock valves without anti-siphon protection, which are obsolete and non-compliant, and confirm the listing before you buy, especially if a permit or inspection is involved.

Pick the design for your water

Water quality, more than anything, decides how long a valve lasts. In soft, clean municipal water a basic valve like the standard 400A or Korky 528 will run for years, so there is no need to pay more. In hard water or on a well, mineral grit and sediment are the leading cause of valves that begin to weep, stick or refuse to shut off, and a debris-resistant or heavier-built valve like the Fluidmaster 400CRP14 or Korky 528MP Platinum pays for itself by lasting far longer. If you have replaced ordinary valves repeatedly, the problem is almost always your water, and a hard-water design is the fix.

A running toilet is the biggest hidden water waster in most homes, and the fill valve is usually the cause. A worn fill valve that will not shut off can pour a couple hundred gallons a day straight into the bowl and down the drain, quietly inflating the water bill. Because a universal anti-siphon valve costs about as much as a fast-food meal and installs in fifteen minutes with no tools, replacing a failing valve is one of the highest-return repairs in the house. When a toilet starts to run, hiss or fill slowly, swap the valve first.

Consider a complete kit for an old toilet

On a toilet more than a decade old, the fill valve and the flapper tend to wear out around the same time, so replacing only one often means opening the tank again a month later when the other fails. A complete kit like the Fluidmaster 400CR bundles a fill valve and a matching flapper so you refresh both wear parts in one fifteen-minute session for little more than the cost of the valve alone. If your flapper is genuinely still soft and sealing, a valve alone is fine, but for an aging toilet the kit is the efficient do-it-once choice.

Expert Take

Resist overthinking a fill valve. The order of operations is to measure the height your tank needs, confirm the valve is anti-siphon and ASSE 1002 listed, then match the build to your water, basic for soft municipal water and a hard-water design for wells or mineral-heavy supply. On an old toilet, buy the valve-and-flapper kit and refresh both at once. Get those right and a ten-dollar part stops the running and lasts for years.

Are Toilet Fill Valves Universal?

Most modern toilet fill valves are designed to be universal and fit the vast majority of standard two-piece and one-piece toilets, because nearly all tanks use the same threaded mounting hole and water level range. Universal anti-siphon valves like the Fluidmaster 400A adjust in height to match almost any tank. The main exceptions are some specific brand-engineered toilets, such as certain Kohler models, that fit best with a genuine OEM valve, and pressure-assisted toilets, which use a different filling system entirely.

Sources

  • EPA WaterSense, epa.gov/watersense
  • ASSE 1002 fill valve performance standard, asse-plumbing.org
  • Manufacturer published specifications (Fluidmaster, Korky, Kohler)
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

? What is a toilet fill valve?

A toilet fill valve is the tall assembly inside the tank, usually on the left, that refills the tank with fresh water after every flush and shuts off when the tank is full. Modern valves use a float cup that rides up and down the valve body, replacing the old brass ballcock and float ball. It is the most commonly replaced part in a toilet and the usual cause of a running or slow-filling toilet.

? How do I know if my fill valve is bad?

The clearest signs are a toilet that runs or hisses continuously, refills very slowly, ghost-flushes on its own, or fills past the overflow tube and never stops. Take off the tank lid and watch a refill: if water keeps trickling into the overflow tube after the tank is full, or the valve hisses without filling, the fill valve has failed. A running toilet wastes a lot of water, so replace it promptly.

? Which toilet fill valve is best overall?

The Fluidmaster 400A is the best overall because its anti-siphon float-cup design fits nearly every standard tank, adjusts from about 9 to 14 inches by twisting the shank, and is the most widely installed valve in North America, so parts are everywhere. The Fluidmaster 400AH PerforMAX fills the fastest, and the Korky 528 QuietFILL is the quietest budget pick.

? Are toilet fill valves universal?

Most are. Nearly all standard two-piece and one-piece toilets use the same threaded mounting hole and water level range, so universal valves like the Fluidmaster 400A fit the vast majority of tanks by adjusting in height. The exceptions are some brand-engineered toilets, such as certain Kohler models that prefer a genuine OEM valve, and pressure-assisted toilets, which use a completely different filling system.

? How long does a fill valve last?

A quality fill valve usually lasts about 5 to 7 years, but water quality changes that a lot. In soft, clean municipal water it can last a decade, while hard or well water with mineral grit may cause it to leak or stick after just a few years. Because a replacement valve is cheap and quick to install, it is generally better to swap a failing valve than to keep cleaning it.

? How do I replace a toilet fill valve?

Turn off the supply valve under the toilet and flush to empty the tank, then sponge out the remaining water. Disconnect the supply line, unscrew the lock nut under the tank, and lift out the old valve. Set the new valve through the same hole, adjust its height to your tank, hand-tighten the lock nut, attach the refill tube to the overflow, reconnect the supply line, and turn the water back on. The whole job takes about fifteen minutes with no special tools.

? What does anti-siphon mean on a fill valve?

Anti-siphon means the valve has a built-in air gap that prevents tank water from being siphoned back into your home's drinking water supply if the main line loses pressure. It is a safety requirement, and an ASSE 1002 listing marked on the package confirms it. Every modern valve should be anti-siphon, and plumbing codes require it, so avoid old brass ballcock valves that lack the protection.

? Why does my toilet keep running after I replace the fill valve?

If a toilet still runs after a new fill valve, the cause is usually the other tank part, the flapper, not the valve. A worn or misaligned flapper lets water leak from the tank into the bowl, which keeps the fill valve cycling on. Check that the flapper seals fully and the chain has a little slack. If the flapper is hard or warped, replace it; a complete kit that includes both parts avoids this second trip.

? How do I adjust the water level on a fill valve?

On a float-cup valve the water level is set by the float clip or an adjustment screw on the valve body. Pinch the clip on the float rod and slide the float down to lower the water level or up to raise it, aiming for the water line marked inside the tank, about an inch below the top of the overflow tube. Flush and watch the refill, then fine-tune until the water stops at the mark without spilling into the overflow.

? Do I need a wrench to install a fill valve?

Usually not. Modern fill valves are designed to install with the lock nut hand-tightened, so no tools are strictly required, though channel-lock pliers help snug the nut and loosen the old one if it is stuck. Avoid over-tightening, which can crack the tank. The supply line connection is also hand-tight in most cases. This tool-free design is a big part of why a fill valve swap is a beginner-friendly repair.

? What height fill valve do I need?

Measure from the bottom of the tank, where the valve threads through, up to the top of the overflow tube. Most tanks fall within the 9 to 14 inch range of a universal valve like the Fluidmaster 400A. Tall or high-tank toilets may need the PerforMAX's 10 to 15 inch reach, while compact and low-profile tanks may need a valve like the Korky 528 that shortens to 7.5 inches. The critical level must sit above the tank's water line.

? Why is my toilet fill valve so loud?

A loud, hissing or whistling refill usually comes from an old or worn valve, or from a basic valve in a high-pressure home. The fix is often a quiet-fill valve like the Korky 528, which shapes the water exit to break up the rushing-water noise. A whistle specifically can also mean a partly clogged or failing valve. If a new quiet valve still whistles, a slightly closed supply valve to lower pressure can help.

? Can a bad fill valve waste water?

Yes, and dramatically. A fill valve that will not shut off keeps water trickling into the overflow tube and down the drain, and a running toilet is the single biggest hidden water waster in most homes, capable of pushing through a couple hundred gallons a day. Because the valve is cheap and quick to replace, fixing a running toilet is one of the fastest-paying repairs you can make for your water bill.

? Should I replace the flapper at the same time?

On a toilet more than about ten years old, yes. The fill valve and the flapper wear out around the same time, so replacing only one often means opening the tank again soon when the other fails. A complete kit like the Fluidmaster 400CR includes both for little more than the valve alone. If your flapper is still soft and sealing well, though, a valve by itself is fine.

? Why does my fill valve keep failing in my house?

Repeated fill valve failures almost always point to water quality rather than the valve itself. Hard water and well water carry mineral grit and sediment that foul the sealing surface, causing the valve to weep, stick or refuse to shut off after a year or two. The fix is a debris-resistant or heavier-built valve like the Fluidmaster 400CRP14 or Korky 528MP Platinum, which keep grit off the seal and last far longer in problem water.

? Do fill valves come with a flapper?

It depends on the product. A plain fill valve like the Fluidmaster 400A includes only the valve, while a complete kit like the Fluidmaster 400CR bundles a matching flapper as well. If you are buying just the valve and your flapper needs replacing too, you will need to buy the flapper separately and match it to your flush valve seat, usually a 2-inch or 3-inch size.

? Can I install a fill valve myself or do I need a plumber?

A fill valve is one of the most beginner-friendly plumbing repairs and rarely needs a plumber. It requires no soldering, usually no tools, and takes about fifteen minutes: shut off the water, drain the tank, swap the valve, reconnect, and check for leaks. The clear instructions on universal valves walk you through it. A plumber is only worth calling if the supply valve is seized or the tank shows other damage.

Our Verdict

For most toilets the Fluidmaster 400A is the best fill valve, a universal anti-siphon float-cup valve that fits almost any tank, adjusts in seconds, and is stocked everywhere, making it the safe default repair when a toilet runs. Choose the Fluidmaster 400AH PerforMAX for the fastest, quietest fill and tall-tank reach, the Korky 528 QuietFILL for the quietest budget swap, the Fluidmaster 400CR to replace the valve and flapper together on an old toilet, the Korky 528MP Platinum for a durable build, the Fluidmaster B1G2 for the widest universal fit, the Kohler GP1083167 for a genuine OEM match on a Kohler tank, and the Fluidmaster 400CRP14 for hard or well water that fouls a basic valve. Measure the height your tank needs, confirm the valve is anti-siphon and ASSE 1002 listed, match the build to your water, and any pick here will stop the running for years on a ten-dollar part and a fifteen-minute install.

P
Researched by Plumbing Research Editor

Plumbing Research Editor. Covers rough-in sizing, installation, valves and real-world reliability from aggregated owner reviews.

Updated March 2026 · Plumbing
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