Bathroom Electrical Code Cheat Sheet (NEC 2023)

GFCI on every outlet, the 36-inch sink receptacle rule, 20 A circuits, and fan and light placement, with NEC section numbers, a GFCI checker and a circuit planner.

Last reviewed against NEC 2023, reviewed October 2026. Your town may be on an older edition or add local amendments; check with the building department.

GFCI requirements: does it need GFCI?

Every bathroom receptacle needs GFCI protection, at any distance from the sink (NEC 210.8(A)(1)). The 6 ft rule is for sinks in other rooms.

Device

NEC edition

GFCI: If the maker requires it
AFCI: Not required by the NEC in bathrooms; check local amendments
Code: NEC 410.10(D), 110.3(B); Use a fan listed for installation over a tub or shower. Most of them require a GFCI-protected circuit in their instructions.

GFCI type and height

GFCI receptacle first on the run protects everything downstream; a GFCI breaker protects the whole circuit; a dead-front GFCI adds protection with no outlet.
No NEC minimum height: within 36 in. of the basin and no more than 12 in. below the countertop.
A 15 A receptacle is allowed on the 20 A circuit when there are two or more receptacles; a single receptacle must be 20 A.

Outlet placement and the code at a glance

Plan view, not to scale.

Rule	Requirement	NEC / IRC
GFCI on every bathroom receptacle	At any distance from the sink; GFCI receptacle, dead-front or GFCI breaker	210.8(A)(1)
Receptacle at each basin	At least one within 36 in. of the outside edge of each basin, on the wall or partition beside it, no more than 12 in. below the countertop	210.52(D)
Bathroom receptacle circuit	At least one 20 A circuit for bathroom receptacles; it may also feed the lights and fan of a single bathroom	210.11(C)(3)
No receptacle in the tub or shower	No receptacle within or directly over the tub or shower stall	406.9(C)
Tamper-resistant receptacles	All 15 and 20 A, 125 V receptacles in a dwelling	406.12
Fixtures near the tub	No hanging fixtures, track lights, pendants or ceiling fans within 3 ft horizontally and 8 ft vertically of the tub rim or shower threshold	410.10(D)
Damp and wet ratings	Damp-rated fixtures in the bathroom; wet-rated where subject to shower spray	410.10(A)
Switched lighting	At least one wall-switch-controlled light; the switch at the entry	210.70(A)(1)
Ventilation	50 CFM intermittent or 20 CFM continuous, ducted outdoors; a 1.5 sq ft openable window may substitute where allowed	IRC R303.3, M1505
AFCI	Not required in bathrooms by the NEC through 2023; some states and cities add it	210.12(A)

Circuits and amps: one 20 A circuit or more?

Fan amps

Light watts

Heated floor sq ft

Heater watts

One 20 A circuit works

Fixed loads are 1.3 A, within the 10 A allowed with receptacles on the same 20 A circuit, and nothing else in the house is on it (NEC 210.11(C)(3) exception).

Receptacles, lights and fan (this bathroom only): 20 A, 12 AWG, GFCI

Fixed loads 1.3 A plus a 1,500 W hair dryer (12.5 A) = 13.8 A at peak.

Save this plan to your bathroom remodel in Blueprint: the circuits, the GFCI result for each device, the shopping list and the rough-in and final inspections, on your phone for the store and the inspector.

Project plan · built from your numbers

Wire a bathroom on one 20 A circuit

Fixed loads are 1.3 A, within the 10 A allowed with receptacles on the same 20 A circuit, and nothing else in the house is on it (NEC 210.11(C)(3) exception). GFCI on every receptacle (NEC 210.8(A)(1)), one within 36 in. of each basin, and no hanging fixtures within 3 ft and 8 ft of the tub.

Materials: $180
Time: 1 to 2 weekends
Level: Advanced

6 steps 5 tools 6 materials

1
Pull the permit
New bathroom circuits, fans and lights are usually permitted work. Many places allow a homeowner permit for their own house.
- Permit issued
- Rough-in inspection booked
2
Lay out devices
Mark a receptacle within 36 in. of each basin, the switch at the door and the fan away from the shower unless it is listed for it.
- Receptacle within 36 in. of each basin
- Nothing within or over the tub or shower
- No hanging fixtures within 3 ft and 8 ft of the tub
3
Run the circuits
Fixed loads are 1.3 A, within the 10 A allowed with receptacles on the same 20 A circuit, and nothing else in the house is on it (NEC 210.11(C)(3) exception).
- Receptacles, lights and fan (this bathroom only): 20 A, 12 AWG

01 · Your numbers

Circuits: 1
Fixed load: 1.3 A
GFCI: Every receptacle
Fan: 0.8 A

02 · The plan

6 steps · 5 tools · 6 materials

3 more steps, the full tool list and a shopping list you can check off as you go.

03 · Finished

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Wire a bathroom on one 20 A circuit

Finished in 1 to 2 weekends · $180 DIY

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Fan	Typical amps
50 to 80 CFM quiet fan	0.2 to 0.6 A
100 to 150 CFM fan	0.6 to 1.5 A
Fan and light combo	1 to 2 A (with LED)
Fan, light and heater combo	10 to 13 A (1,300 to 1,500 W heater)

Check wire size on long runs with the voltage drop calculator and the panel with the electrical load calculator.

Lights and fans

Fixture	Placement	Rating
Vanity sconces	60 to 66 in. to center, either side of the mirror	Damp
Vanity bar	Above the mirror, about 78 in. off the floor	Damp
Shower or tub light	Recessed or close-to-ceiling, never hanging within 3 ft and 8 ft of the tub	Wet if exposed to spray
Exhaust fan	Near the shower or toilet, ducted outdoors (never into the attic)	Listed for over a tub if placed there

Wall switches for lights and fans go outside the tub and shower space; a timer or humidity switch keeps the fan running long enough to clear the moisture.

Ventilation

The IRC requires 50 CFM intermittent or 20 CFM continuous exhaust, ducted outdoors (M1505), unless an openable window of at least 1.5 sq ft is allowed instead (R303.3). For comfort, size the fan at 1 CFM per square foot in baths up to 100 sq ft, or 50 CFM per toilet, shower and tub (100 for a jetted tub) in larger rooms.

Use 4 in. duct for runs up to about 25 ft and 6 in. beyond, insulated where it crosses an unheated attic.

Permits

New bathroom circuits, fans and lights are usually permitted, with a rough-in inspection before drywall and a final. See the permit and inspection guide, and compare rooms in the bedroom, kitchen and garage electrical sheets.

Outside the US: UK and IEC bathroom zones 0 to 2

The zone system belongs to BS 7671 and IEC 60364-7-701, not the NEC.

Zone 0: inside the bath or shower tray; SELV 12 V equipment rated IPX7.
Zone 1: above the bath or tray to 2.25 m; IPX4 at least.
Zone 2: 0.6 m beyond zone 1; IPX4 at least. Pull-cord switches or switches outside the room.

Frequently asked questions

Do bathroom lights need to be GFCI protected?

Not by the NEC. GFCI is required on bathroom receptacles (210.8(A)(1)). A light in the tub or shower space needs GFCI only if its instructions say so, which many recessed shower trims do.

Does a bathroom exhaust fan need GFCI?

Not by the NEC for a fan outside the tub area. A fan installed over a tub or shower must be listed for that spot, and most of those require a GFCI-protected circuit in their instructions (110.3(B)).

What size GFCI for a bathroom?

A 20 A GFCI receptacle on the required 20 A bathroom circuit with 12 AWG wire. A 15 A GFCI receptacle is also allowed on a 20 A circuit when there is more than one receptacle on it.

How high should a bathroom GFCI outlet be?

The NEC sets no height. It must be within 36 in. of the basin and no more than 12 in. below the countertop (210.52(D)); about 42 to 44 in. off the floor, or 4 to 8 in. above the countertop, is typical.

Can bathroom lights and outlets share a circuit?

Yes, if the 20 A circuit serves only that one bathroom (210.11(C)(3) exception). Otherwise the receptacle circuit can serve several bathrooms but nothing else, and the lights go on another circuit.

How many amps does a bathroom fan use?

Most 50 to 150 CFM fans draw 0.2 to 1.5 A. Fan and light combos run 1 to 2 A with LEDs, and a fan with a built-in heater 10 to 13 A, which needs its own circuit.

Do I need a permit for bathroom electrical work?

Usually, for new circuits, a new fan or new fixtures. Like-for-like swaps of a receptacle or fixture often need none. Many places let a homeowner pull a permit for their own house.

Can I put an outlet inside a vanity or drawer?

A receptacle inside a cabinet does not count as the required one within 36 in. of the basin, and it still needs GFCI. Listed in-drawer outlets are allowed when installed to their instructions.

Permit check

Usually needs a permit

New bathroom circuits, fans and lights are usually permitted.

Inspections: Rough-in, then Final

Job checklist

0 of 8 done

Check whether the work needs a permit and who may pull it
Identify the breaker and label it
Turn it off and verify dead with a non-contact tester
List what the circuit will power and confirm the amperage
Match wire gauge to the breaker size from the chart
Note which outlets need GFCI or AFCI protection
Check box fill before buying boxes
Book the rough-in inspection before drywall (if permitted)

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Code changes

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Model codes update every three years, and the parts that move this sheet are GFCI coverage, fan circuits and fixture zones. Leave an email and we will tell you when we update it for a new code cycle.

Local code notes for your county

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