Grab Bar Diameter Comparison
Both 1¼″ and 1½″ are standard, code-accepted diameters for circular grab bars. ADA/TAS allow circular bars from 1¼″ to 2″ outside diameter, so either size can be compliant when installed correctly.
How they feel in the hand
- 1¼″ (slimmer grip): Easier for smaller hands or limited grip strength to wrap fully; sleeker look—great in residential bathrooms.
- 1½″ (fuller grip): More surface contact for larger hands or gloved use; the “commercial” feel many facilities prefer.
Strength & safety
Compliance and safety are about proper installation and anchors, not diameter alone. ADA requires grab bars (and their fasteners/substrates) to withstand a 250-lb force.
Clearance (often confused with diameter)
Regardless of bar size, the required space between the wall and the bar is 1½″. That clearance is about mounting, not the bar’s diameter.
Style & cost
1¼″ tends to read more minimalist; 1½″ looks a bit more robust. Price difference—if any—usually comes from brand/finish, not the performance of the bar itself.
Bottom line
- Pick 1¼″ for a slimmer, easy-to-grip feel and a clean residential look.
- Pick 1½″ if you like a beefier hand-feel or are matching commercial specs.
- Either way, we’ll install to code and secure into proper framing or rated anchors so you get a safe, solid grab bar. (ADA/TAS diameter range: 1¼″–2″; wall clearance: 1½″.)