Towel Radiator Sizes: Measuring a Small Bathroom

Cheap Radiator buying guides · Updated 2 November 2026

Part of our small-bathroom towel radiator buying guide. This article focuses on measuring the space available.

Which dimensions do you need?

Write down the radiator’s width and height in millimetres, following the labels on the product page. Retailers do not always write dimensions in the same order. “200mm wide × 800mm high” describes a narrow upright rail; reversing those numbers describes a very different shape.

Measure against the finished room

1. Measure from the finished tiled or plastered surfaces, not unfinished studwork.
2. Note obstructions such as the sill, skirting, socket covers, basin and shower screen.
3. Mark the proposed body outline with low-tack tape.
4. Check doors, drawers and cupboards through their full normal movement.
5. Allow for the actual bracket projection, valves and towels, using the selected model’s installation information.

A strip of cardboard held at the proposed projection can help you judge an awkward walkway. It is a planning aid, not a substitute for the manufacturer’s drawing. Fixing positions and required clearances are model-specific. Use the instructions supplied for the radiator you buy.

When does a narrow rail make sense?

A narrow rail is a useful starting point beside a vanity or on a restricted wall. Our 200mm-wide chrome towel radiators and 200mm-wide black towel radiators let you compare slim options. The chosen height must still fit and its output must meet the heating requirement.

For example, a 260mm wall gap does not automatically approve a 200mm radiator. You still need to account for the installation drawing, valve position and access. Nor does choosing a taller version guarantee a particular heat output: check the listed rating for that exact model.

Could a wider, shorter radiator work better?

A low wall beneath a window may offer more useful width than height. A shorter rail can also make its upper bars easier to reach. Compare a few shapes within the wide towel radiator collection rather than assuming a small bathroom always needs the narrowest rail.

Judge towel hanging in practice. Large bath towels may need folding on a slim rail, and a thick stack can make the radiator more cumbersome beside a doorway. Leave access to the air vent and valve controls rather than enclosing the radiator tightly with furniture.

Measure existing pipework separately

If you hope to retain the pipework, record its centre-to-centre spacing, pipe diameter and the direction in which it approaches the radiator. A matching body width alone is not enough. Our pipe-centre measuring guide explains the distinction and gives examples from the Cheap Radiator range.

Finish the shortlist with a heat-output check

Do not use a table saying that one width “heats every small bathroom”. Room heat loss and the radiator’s operating temperature are separate from whether it fits the wall. Once you have two or three physical options, compare them using the BTU and watts guide.

Bathroom electrical positioning

If the planned rail uses an electric element, check its position before fixing the final layout. Electrical Safety First’s bathroom advice explains why bathroom electrical work needs particular care. Ask a registered electrician to confirm the proposed installation.

Before you order

Keep a note of the finished wall space, proposed model dimensions, bracket projection and connection details. If a dimension is missing, ask for it before arranging pipework. The small and narrow radiator range is a starting point for comparison, not a guarantee that every model suits every compact room.