Single Hole Bathroom Faucets

How to choose single hole bathroom faucets

Count the holes in your basin or countertop before anything else. A basin drilled for one faucet takes this style directly. A three hole deck cut on 4 inch or 8 inch centers needs an escutcheon, sometimes called a deck plate, to cover the two outer openings. Some models list one as included and some do not, so read the specification rather than assuming.

Spout height and reach decide how the sink behaves day to day. The stream should land over the drain, not against the back wall of the bowl. A tall spout above a shallow vessel basin splashes, and a short spout over a deep undermount leaves no room to rinse your hands. Measure from the deck to the rim of the basin and compare that with the spout height given for each model.

The handle is the last decision. A single lever sits on top of the body or to one side and sets temperature and volume in one movement, which is why it dominates this shape. A joystick handle takes less side clearance next to a wall or a mirror frame. Check which way the lever swings before you commit to a faucet for a corner vanity.

Hole size, deck plates and spout reach for single hole bathroom faucets

These are the dimensions to have in hand before you choose, and they are the conventional figures a bathroom deck is cut to.

Hole diameter: 1 3/8 inches is the standard cut, and most bodies accept an opening up to about 1 1/2 inches.
Deck thickness: most models suit a deck up to roughly 1 1/4 inches; thick stone may need a longer shank.
Spout height: 4 to 6 inches above the deck for a drop-in or undermount basin, 10 to 12 inches for a vessel.
Spout reach: usually 4 to 6 inches out, enough for the stream to land within an inch of the drain.
Supply connections: most single hole bodies use 3/8 inch compression fittings under the deck.

Two of those numbers cause most of the trouble. A vessel basin raises the rim four to six inches above the deck, so a standard spout no longer clears it. And a counter thicker than the shank allows will never tighten down properly. Both are easy to check on each product page, and both explain why single hole bathroom faucets sometimes will not seat on a deck that looked entirely standard.

Which single hole faucet for which basin

Faucet type	Best in	What it does	Price here
Waterfall spouts	A basin where the faucet is on show	An open sheet of water instead of a stream	$150 to $190
Vessel basin faucets	A bowl standing on the counter	A tall body that clears the rim of the bowl	$220 to $270
Swivel spouts	A shared basin, a wide bowl	A spout that turns out of the way to clean	$143 to $190
Mixer bodies	A straight swap on an existing basin	One lever for flow and temperature together	$117 to $240
Wall mounted and concealed	A refit with the walls still open	Nothing on the counter and nothing to wipe around	$250
Pull out sprayers	A utility basin, a prep sink	A spray head that pulls out and retracts	$134 to $210

What single hole means

Single hole: The whole faucet drops through one opening in the counter or the basin rim, with the lever on the body. That is what this page is: a straight replacement wherever one hole is already drilled.
Count the holes first: A counter drilled for three will show two empty openings once a single hole body is fitted. A cover plate hides them on some models, so check whether one is supplied before ordering.
Solid brass: The body material behind most faucets here. It resists corrosion better than a plated alloy and carries the weight you feel at the lever. The product page names the material, and it is worth reading.
Spout reach: The water has to land in the bowl rather than on the rim. Measure from the hole to the center of the drain and compare it to the reach on the page, which matters most on a vessel basin.
Finish: Chrome, brushed gold and black repeat across this range. A brushed surface hides water spots far better than a polished one, which shows every drop on a basin used several times a day.

Common questions about one hole faucets

What size opening does the deck need?

A 1 3/8 inch drilling is the standard, and most counters are cut to it. Many bodies tolerate an opening up to about 1 1/2 inches. If the counter is already drilled, measure the opening yourself rather than trusting the fabricator's sheet.

Can I fit one in a three hole basin?

Yes, with a deck plate. The plate spans the 4 inch or 8 inch spread and covers the outer two openings, leaving a single body in the center. Confirm whether the plate is listed as included on the product page, and match its spread to your drilling.

How tall should the spout be for a vessel sink?

Ten to twelve inches above the deck for most vessel basins, since the rim already sits four to six inches high. Compare the spout height against the basin height and leave a few inches of gap so a hand fits comfortably under the stream.

Which finish holds up in a bathroom?

Brushed nickel and brushed brass hide water spots and fingerprints, while polished chrome shows every drop and wipes clean in a second. Matte black looks solid against white porcelain and shows limescale in hard water areas. Match the shower trim already in the room where you can.

Does the drain come with the faucet?

Sometimes. A pop-up drain assembly is listed separately on some models and bundled with others, and the two are not interchangeable, because a lift rod needs a body drilled to take it. Read the specification for what is included before you plan the installation.

You may also want Bathroom Faucets, Kitchen Faucets, Pull Down Kitchen Faucets, Touchless Kitchen Faucets and Waterfall Bathroom Faucets. For a three hole basin, see Widespread Bathroom Faucets. This page is part of Faucets.

What are the four types of bathroom faucet?

Single hole, centerset, widespread and wall mounted. A single hole faucet puts the spout and the handle in one body through one opening, which is what this page covers. A centerset combines spout and two handles on a plate spanning 4 inches between the outer holes. A widespread uses three separate pieces, usually 8 inches apart. A wall mounted faucet comes out of the wall above the basin and needs the supply rough in behind it. The sink decides which of the four fits, since the holes are already drilled.

How much does a single hole bathroom faucet cost on this page?

From $117 at the entry to $270 at the top, across 20 faucets. The middle of the page sits at $187 and nine in ten fall under $250. This is a narrow range because the format is consistent across the page. Shipping is free.

Can a single hole faucet be fitted to a three hole sink?

Yes, with a deck plate, which is a cover that spans the two outer holes and lets the faucet mount through the center one. Most single hole faucets either include one or offer it as an option, and the product page says which. The plate is normally 4 or 6 inches wide, so it needs to match the hole spacing on the sink rather than just hide the holes. Going the other way, a three hole faucet cannot be fitted to a single hole sink without redrilling.

Buying guide reviewed October 2026 by the OroDwell editorial team.