Step-free · Wide door · Grab rails
Wheelchair accessible toilets
near you, worldwide
1,800,000+ wheelchair-accessible public toilet facilities mapped globally - including RADAR key locations, Euro Key facilities, Changing Places suites, and open-access sites. Filter by full access (wheelchair=yes) or limited access.
OpenStreetMap data · UK Great British Public Toilet Map layer · AU National Public Toilet Map
Accessibility standards
Not all accessible toilets are equal - understanding the wheelchair tag
The wheelchair symbol on a door is not a guarantee of what you will find inside. OpenStreetMap uses three values for the wheelchair tag, and our map distinguishes between them so you can choose what actually meets your specific needs.
wheelchair=yes- Door width ≥800mm (Part M compliant)
- 1500mm clear turning circle inside
- Bilateral grab rails at standard height
- Lowered washbasin (720mm max)
- Step-free threshold entry
- Accessible flush and fittings
wheelchair=limited- Wider door but may not reach 800mm
- Limited turning radius (900–1200mm)
- Single-sided or no grab rails
- May suit ambulant users or smaller manual chairs
- Step-free entry but restricted manoeuvre space
wheelchair=no- Steps at entrance or threshold
- Door width below 750mm
- No grab rail provision
- Shown grey/muted on the map
- Standard cubicle only
OSM wheelchair tags reflect what community mappers have observed and recorded. For critical journeys, always verify the specific requirements of a facility against your own equipment. A power wheelchair has different turning requirements than a manual chair. A bariatric wheelchair has different door-width requirements than a standard model.
Access key systems
Access key systems for locked accessible toilets worldwide
Many countries lock wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities to reduce misuse, vandalism, and to ensure that these critical resources are available when needed by people with disabilities. One key opens thousands of locked facilities. Here is what you need, and where to get it, for each major region.
| Country / Region | Key system |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | NKS RADAR Key |
 Germany + 15 EU countries | Euro Key (Euroschlüssel) |
 Australia | Master Locksmith Key |
 New Zealand | CCS Disability Key |
 Most other countries | No key required |
Changing Places
Changing Places: beyond the standard accessible toilet
For approximately 250,000 people in the UK - and many more globally - standard accessible toilets simply do not work. People with profound and multiple learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, or those who need two carers to assist require a fundamentally different facility. Changing Places toilets provide this.
A Changing Places toilet is not merely a larger accessible cubicle. It is a clinical-grade, equipment-standard space that makes independence outside the home possible for people who would otherwise be unable to leave for more than a few hours. The minimum specification is defined by the Changing Places Consortium and is considerably more demanding than Part M of the Building Regulations.
Minimum 1800×800mm. Must be electrically height-adjustable to accommodate different user body weight and carer height. Padded, with clinical-grade covers.
Must cover the full room area (bench, WC, and space in front). Ceiling-tracked hoists are preferred for reliability. Mobile hoists are an acceptable alternative with floor clearance.
Toilet positioned with minimum 750mm clear space on both sides. Allows two carers to work simultaneously. Peninsula configuration means approach from the side rather than front.
2200mm × 3000mm minimum internal dimension. Larger than a standard accessible toilet by a factor of 3–4. Many venues are building substantially larger CP suites.
Thermostatic shower. Privacy screen between changing bench and WC. Carer seating. Mirror at accessible height. Adequate lighting without glare.
Two-position pull-cord: one at standing height (900mm) and one reachable from the floor (100mm). Connected to a monitored alarm system, not just a light.
In England and Wales, Changing Places facilities became a legal requirement in new large public buildings under the Building Regulations 2021 amendment. The requirement covers new-build and significantly refurbished: transport hubs serving over 2,000 passengers per hour, public buildings over 5,000m², large retail centres, stadiums and concert venues over 5,000 capacity, and hospitals. Scotland introduced equivalent requirements in 2019.
Australia has a growing Changing Places network with over 450 registered sites across all states and territories - searchable on toiletmap.gov.au. New Zealand and Ireland are developing similar national registers. In the US, no equivalent mandatory standard exists at federal level, though major venues and healthcare facilities often exceed accessible toilet standards.
Travel planning
Planning accessible toilet stops on long journeys
Long-distance accessible travel requires far more advance planning than most people without specific toilet requirements realise. A two-hour road trip that is effortless for an able-bodied person can involve researching motorway services, verifying that the accessible cubicle is unlocked, confirming whether a RADAR key is required, and phoning ahead for a specific venue. The peace of mind from pre-planning is significant.
On our map, search each major town or motorway service area along your route. Apply the Wheelchair Accessible filter and check the detail card for each pin - RADAR key status, door width where mapped, last verification date, and whether a hoist is present. The sidebar count updates in real time as you filter.
The OSM wheelchair=yes tag requires ≥800mm. Power wheelchairs can be 650–700mm wide; most fit through 800mm doorways. Bariatric chairs can be 750–900mm wide - even a 'fully accessible' toilet may not accommodate these. Where width is critical, contact the venue directly.
Changing Places hoists have load ratings (typically 200kg for ceiling hoists). If you use a sling system, check sling compatibility. Not all CP suites use the same hoist manufacturer - call the venue to confirm before making a specialist journey.
In the UK, order a RADAR key from Disability Rights UK before your trip. In continental Europe, order a Euro Key from CBF Darmstadt. Do not rely on a venue having a spare - many do not issue them, and front-of-house staff may not have access to the accessible facility key if they do not regularly manage it.
Our detail panel shows the OSM last-edited date. If a facility was last verified more than 12 months ago, it may have changed - particularly if it is a venue that was recently renovated. For important journeys, call ahead or check the venue's own accessibility statement.
All UK motorway service areas are legally required to provide free accessible toilets and have been required to install Changing Places facilities at services above a minimum traffic threshold since 2022. Check Welcome Break, Moto, and Roadchef websites for current Changing Places status at specific services.
Contact the airport's passenger assistance team at least 48 hours in advance to arrange pre-clearance for accessible toilet use at security, assistance boarding, and priority disembarkation. In the UK, all major airports provide Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme support.
Location types
Where to find accessible toilets: by location type
Mainline railway stations in the UK, Europe, and Japan provide accessible toilets on the main concourse. In the UK, Network Rail stations have accessible facilities on both sides of the barrier at major stations. Most are free but some require a RADAR key.
All major UK shopping centres provide fully accessible toilets with RADAR key access in most cases. Some also provide Changing Places facilities - particularly newer developments and larger out-of-town retail parks. Accessible toilets here are generally of high quality and well maintained.
NHS and private hospital sites have extensive accessible provision including some Changing Places facilities. These are generally open to the public and do not require a patient appointment to access. Details vary by trust - check the hospital's accessibility guide.
All UK airports provide accessible toilets throughout, both before and after security. Most major airports now have Changing Places facilities airside. Contact the airport's accessibility team in advance for detailed facility maps and assistance services.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about wheelchair-accessible public toilets
What does wheelchair accessible mean for a public toilet?
A fully accessible toilet (OSM tag wheelchair=yes) must have a door at least 800mm wide, a 1500mm turning circle inside the room, grab rails on both sides of the WC, a lowered washbasin, and a completely step-free entry. The wheelchair=limited tag covers facilities that are accessible to some wheelchair users but do not fully meet these specifications - typically a manageable step or slightly narrower door.
What is the RADAR key and where do I get one?
The National Key Scheme (NKS) RADAR key opens over 9,000 locked accessible public toilets across the UK. It is available from Disability Rights UK for approximately £4.50. One key opens all NKS-registered facilities nationwide. The key is available at many council offices, pharmacies, and disability organisations - RADAR issues keys by post too.
What is a Changing Places toilet and who needs one?
A Changing Places toilet provides equipment for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets: a height-adjustable adult changing bench, ceiling or mobile hoist, peninsula WC, and a minimum room size of 2200×3000mm. These are needed by people with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, profound learning disabilities, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions requiring a carer to assist with personal care. Approximately 250,000 people in the UK need Changing Places rather than standard accessible facilities.
Are accessible toilets free or do they require a RADAR key?
Many accessible toilets are unlocked and free to use. In the UK, many accessible facilities - particularly in older council buildings and public parks - are RADAR-locked to prevent misuse. The RADAR key costs £4.50 once and provides access to 9,000+ locations. In Germany and much of mainland Europe, the Euro Key serves a similar function.
Directory
Wheelchair accessible toilets by country
Each country page opens with the wheelchair-accessible filter pre-applied, plus local guidance on access key schemes and accessibility standards.
