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Quick answer
Match the seat height to the counter. KitchenAid describes counter height as typically 35 to 40 inches and bar height as about 41 to 43 inches, with counter stools usually 24 to 27 inches and bar stools 28 to 33 inches. Measure your surface; these are ranges, not rules.
Quick compare: the products in this guide
Sizes come from the Amazon listings as we read them; check the product page for the current details before you buy.
| Product | Listed details | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics Solid Wood Saddle-Seat Counter Height Bar Stools for Kitchen… | 24 in seat height; 300 lb | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
| HOOBRO Bar Stools, Set of 2 Bar Chairs, Counter Height Stools, Saddle… | 24.8 in seat height; 265 lb | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
| Bar Stools Set of 2, Modern Swivel Bar Stools Adjustable Height, Faux Leather… | 45 in overall height; 350 lb | See details on Amazon Affiliate link |
The three stools we read on Amazon on 2026-10-01 are all counter height or adjustable: a 24 inch walnut saddle stool, a 24.8 inch metal-frame saddle stool, and a swivel stool with a back whose adjustment range is not stated. We have not tested any of them.
Counter height, bar height and the gap that matters
The number that decides comfort is the gap between the seat and the underside of the counter, not the label on the stool. If your counter is 36 inches high:
- A 24 inch seat leaves 36 − 24 = 12 inches between the seat and the counter top.
- A 24.8 inch seat leaves 36 − 24.8 = 11.2 inches.
The Amazon Basics listing says its 24 inch seat height “accommodates countertops measuring 36 – 39 inches high,” which would make the gap 12 to 15 inches. The HOOBRO listing says 24.8 inches suits 34 to 40 inch surfaces, a gap of 9.2 to 15.2 inches. The counter’s thickness and any apron below it reduce knee room, so measure from the floor to the underside as well as to the top.
If your surface is a raised bar near 42 inches, a 24 inch stool is too low and you need a 28 to 33 inch seat in the KitchenAid ranges.
Three listings, side by side
| Listing | Seat height | Size (W x D x H) | Load stated | Weight | Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basics Solid Wood Saddle-Seat Counter Height Stools, set of 2 | 24 in | 16.93 x 12.64 x 24.02 in | 300 lb | 21.6 lb | none |
| HOOBRO Saddle Barstools, set of 2, 24.8 in | 24.8 in | 16.5 x 11.8 x 24.8 in | 265 lb (120 kg in the table) | 14.74 lb | none |
| Rishtivin Swivel Bar Stools, adjustable, set of 2 | adjustable, range not stated | 19 x 15 x 45 in | 350 lb | 36 lb | yes |
Read the fine print. The Rishtivin listing calls itself height adjustable with a pneumatic lift and a 360 degree swivel, but the text we read gives only the overall height of 45 inches, not the seat range, so you cannot check the gap from the page. Ask the seller for the minimum and maximum seat height. The Amazon Basics and HOOBRO listings say a footrest is included. The HOOBRO listing states its figure of 265 pounds in bullets and 120 kilograms in the table, which is the same number in two units (120 × 2.2046 = 264.6).
Fit check: how many stools fit on a 72 inch island
A rule of thumb, not a standard, is to allow about 24 inches of counter edge per stool so elbows do not collide. For a 72 inch edge:
- 72 ÷ 24 = 3 stools.
- Three Amazon Basics stools take 3 × 16.93 = 50.8 inches of seat width, so 72 − 50.8 = 21.2 inches is left for 2 gaps between them, about 10.6 inches each.
- Three HOOBRO stools take 3 × 16.5 = 49.5 inches, leaving 22.5 inches, about 11.3 inches per gap.
- Three Rishtivin stools take 3 × 19 = 57 inches, leaving 15 inches, about 7.5 inches per gap. Add a swivel and the seats can touch when people turn.
A fourth stool is possible only with the narrower models: 4 × 16.93 = 67.7 inches, which leaves 72 − 67.7 = 4.3 inches for three gaps, under 1.5 inches each. That is a crowded edge. For most islands, three is the realistic answer on 72 inches.
Check the walking space too. If the island is on a route to the fridge, mark the stool depth on the floor with tape. The Amazon Basics stool is 12.64 inches deep and the HOOBRO is 11.8, so both tuck mostly under the overhang. The swivel stool’s 15 inch depth with a back sticks out further.
Which style suits which person
- Saddle stools without a back tuck under the counter, keep sight lines open and work for quick meals. They are lighter: the HOOBRO weighs 14.74 pounds against the Amazon Basics’ 21.6 pounds.
- Stools with a back give more support for a longer sit. The Rishtivin is 45 inches overall, so the back sits well above the counter and can block a view.
- Wood or metal frame: the Amazon Basics is solid wood, the HOOBRO is an iron frame with a particleboard seat base under PU upholstery. A composite wood part is covered by the EPA’s formaldehyde rules for composite wood products. The listing does not state compliance labeling.
If you want the back and a fixed seat height, see bar stools with backs. For a rolling work surface to pair with stools, see kitchen island on wheels.
Tipping and weight
A stool tips when weight moves past the base. The Rishtivin lists a weighted round base and a warning “avoid leaning far back.” The Amazon Basics lists an A-frame design with square legs. Never use a footrest or seat as a step to reach high cabinets. Load numbers are the seller’s claims: 300, 265 and 350 pounds. Stay well under them.
Reading “seat height” on a listing
Listings mix three heights, and only one of them is the number you need. Seat height is floor to the top of the seat, the figure to compare with your counter. Overall height includes the back, so the Rishtivin’s 45 inches says nothing about the seat. Counter or table range is the seller’s claim of what the stool pairs with, such as “34 to 40 inches” or “36 to 39 inches.” Of the three listings, two give a seat height outright (24 and 24.8 inches), and in both cases the overall height of the backless stool equals the seat height, which is a quick check that you are reading the right row.
When a listing lists only an overall height, divide the problem: subtract a guess for the back height from the overall figure, and treat the result as an estimate until the seller confirms. A back that is 20 inches tall on a 45 inch stool would put the seat near 25 inches, but that is our arithmetic, not a listed fact.
Setup, floors and care
All three listings give assembly details. The HOOBRO listing says it ships with numbered parts and tools, the Amazon Basics lists all necessary hardware, and the Rishtivin says each seat attaches with 4 bolts. The HOOBRO listing mentions non-slip foot pads that protect the floor, and describes a water-resistant PU seat that wipes clean. Wood and PU surfaces care differently: wipe wood with a lightly damp cloth and dry it, and wipe PU with a damp cloth as the Rishtivin listing says. Check that each stool sits level after assembly, because a wobble at the counter gets worse with use.
Common mistakes
- Buying by label. “Bar stool” is used for counter-height seats too. Compare numbers.
- Skipping the underside. A thick counter edge or a drawer under it takes away knee room.
- Counting stools by island length alone. Seat width plus gaps decides, as the example above shows.
- Ignoring depth behind the stool. A stool pulled out needs room to stand.
- Trusting a total load. Heavy use at the edge of a seat is harder on a frame than a centered weight.
How to choose
- Measure the floor to the top and to the underside of the counter.
- Pick the seat height that leaves about 9 to 15 inches below the top, which is the span the listings above describe for a 36 inch counter.
- Count stools by width, using about 24 inches each as a starting point.
- Choose backless for tuck-away space, a back for longer sitting.
- Check the floor: felt pads or glides, as the maker advises.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a counter stool and a bar stool?
Counter stools are lower and pair with counters near 36 inches; bar stools are taller and pair with raised bars around 42 inches. KitchenAid gives the seat ranges as 24 to 27 and 28 to 33 inches.
How high should a bar stool be for a 36 inch counter?
A 24 to 25 inch seat leaves about 11 to 12 inches below the counter top. The listings we read say 24 and 24.8 inch seats suit 34 to 40 inch surfaces.
How many bar stools fit at a 72 inch island?
Three, using about 24 inches each. A fourth leaves under 1.5 inches per gap with the narrowest stool we read.
Are stools with backs better?
They support the back longer. They also stand taller and take more room behind the counter.
Can I use adjustable stools?
Yes if the adjustment range covers your counter. One listing we read did not state the range.
Products worth checking
We have not tested these products. Sizes and features come from the Amazon listings as we read them; where a listing does not say, we say so.
Amazon Basics Solid Wood Saddle-Seat Counter Height Bar Stools for Kitchen Island with Footrest, 24-Inch Height, Walnut, Set of 2
- Keep in mind: we have not tested it, and the listing may show more than one size or finish, so pick the variant that matches your numbers.
HOOBRO Bar Stools, Set of 2 Bar Chairs, Counter Height Stools, Saddle Barstools with Curved Surface, 24.8 Inches
- Keep in mind: we have not tested it, and the listing may show more than one size or finish, so pick the variant that matches your numbers.
Bar Stools Set of 2, Modern Swivel Bar Stools Adjustable Height, Faux Leather PU Upholstered Counter Height Bar Chairs with Back
- Keep in mind: we have not tested it, and the listing may show more than one size or finish, so pick the variant that matches your numbers.
Sources checked
Specifications come from the Amazon listings as we read them for this guide. Product details and availability can change, so confirm on the product page before you buy.
