A single-hole faucet mounts through one deck opening, with hot and cold control built into the same body.
A single-hole faucet, called a single lever tap in the UK, is the most common faucet configuration for a reason: it needs only one opening in your sink or counter, whether that's a cross-handle design with a single mixing valve or a lever-handle version that controls temperature and flow with one motion. It's the standard fit for most bathroom vanities and a common choice for kitchen sinks and bar sinks too.
This guide covers what actually makes a faucet single-hole compatible, what ships in the box when you order one, how to read the size guide for a specific model, what to do if your sink has extra holes a single-hole faucet won't use, and the fitting differences US buyers run into most often.
- A single-hole faucet needs exactly one deck opening. Hole diameter is typically around 1.25 to 1.35 inches (32 to 34mm), though this varies by model, so always check the specific product's size guide.
- Every Insideast single-hole faucet ships with preassembled cartridges, the handle set, braided steel supply hoses, and the mounting hardware needed to connect straight to your shutoff valves.
- US plumbing uses NPT thread fittings, and UK and European plumbing uses BSP. Most orders connect without extra parts, but a few US customers have needed a simple compression adapter, and Insideast customer service can help identify the right one.
- Custom brass hole covers and extension tubes are available on request for an added charge, useful when a sink has extra or oversized holes left from a previous faucet.
- Insideast also makes single-hole cold-water dispenser taps for filtered drinking water at the kitchen sink, installed the same way as a standard single-hole faucet.
What Is a Single-Hole Faucet
A single-hole faucet is a fixture where the spout and handle (or handles) mount through one opening in the sink deck or countertop, with all the plumbing connections gathered into that single base. It comes in two common handle styles: a double cross-handle version with separate hot and cold controls built into one body, and a single lever version where one handle controls both temperature and flow. Our complete faucet buyer's guide covers handle styles in more depth if you're still deciding between a single lever and a two-handle layout.
Because everything mounts through one hole, a single-hole faucet is generally the simplest configuration to install or swap, and it's what most modern bathroom vanities and a growing number of kitchen sinks are pre-drilled for.
"Item came quick and looks amazing."
This review was left for the Single Hole Brass Bath Vanity Faucet.
How to Check If Your Sink Is Compatible
Start by counting the holes already in your sink deck or countertop. A single-hole faucet needs exactly one opening. If your sink currently has two or three holes from a widespread or centerset faucet, a single-hole model will still work, but you'll want to plan for a cover on the holes it doesn't use (more on that below). If you're working with a fresh countertop or a new sink, the single-hole faucets collection is the easiest way to browse models sized for a single opening.
One Opening, One Fixture
A single-hole faucet reads as a clean, self-contained piece on the counter, since the hot and cold controls live in the same base as the spout rather than spreading across separate holes.
Beyond hole count, the two other things worth confirming before you buy are the hole diameter your countertop or sink already has (or will be drilled to) and the deck thickness, since a very thick countertop can sometimes need the extension tube covered in the customization section below.
Counter Depth vs. Sink Depth
The real question isn't your counter's total depth alone, it's how much deck space is left behind the sink once the sink itself is in place. Standard bathroom vanity countertops run 19 to 22 inches deep, and standard sink basins run about 14 to 18 inches front to back, so the leftover space is what actually needs to fit a faucet hole with room for the handle to turn. If your sink nearly fills the counter depth, there may not be enough deck left, and a wall-mount faucet is usually the better fit.
What Comes in the Box
Ready to Connect
Every single-hole faucet from Insideast ships with the faucet body and spout, the cartridges preassembled inside the handle mechanism, the handle or handles themselves, a set of braided steel supply hoses, and the mounting hardware needed to secure the base to your sink deck from underneath.
The goal is that once the faucet is seated in its single hole, you're connecting supply hoses to your existing shutoff valves, not sourcing extra parts.
"Love the faucet, still have to install though."
This review was left for the Antique Brass Bathroom Single-Hole Faucet.
Measuring for Compatibility (Size Guide)
Read the Size Guide Before You Order
The dimensions above are from the Brass Basin Mixer Tap Vanity Single-Hole Faucet, shown as an example of what a size guide covers: overall height, spout reach, and the pre-drilled hole size the faucet needs. These numbers change from model to model, so treat this as a sample of the format rather than a universal spec.
Every Insideast faucet product page includes its own size guide and installation guide, covering the exact pre-drilled hole diameter, overall height, and spout reach for that model. If you're working from an existing sink and want to confirm a specific faucet will fit before you order, customer service can review your measurements against the model's spec sheet directly. Our separate guide on faucet hole sizes for kitchen and bathroom goes deeper into how hole sizing differs across faucet types.
"Great faucet. Highly recommend it."
This review was left for the Brass Basin Mixer Tap Vanity Single-Hole Faucet.
Deck Plates and Extension Tubes: Customization
If your sink has extra holes from a previous widespread or centerset faucet, or holes that sit at a different spacing than what your new single-hole faucet needs, Insideast can custom-make a solid brass hole cover, often called a deck plate or escutcheon, sized to your exact opening. An extension tube can also be made for countertops thicker than a standard faucet base is built for. Neither is a stocked, standard product since every opening is a little different, but both are available on request for an added charge once you send over your measurements.
What Customization Looks Like
The photos above show examples only. A hole cover is typically an oval brass plate a few inches long with a center opening sized to your faucet's base, and an extension tube adds height under the faucet body for a thicker deck. Exact dimensions are built to what you send us, not a fixed catalog size.
To request either, email contact@insideast.com with the hole spacing or opening size you need covered, and your countertop thickness if you're asking about an extension tube. The team will confirm pricing and lead time against your specific faucet model.
Single-Hole Water Dispenser Faucets
Alongside standard single-hole faucets, Insideast also makes single-hole cold-water dispenser taps, sometimes just called cold water faucets, meant to sit beside your main kitchen faucet and connect to an under-sink filtration system for drinking water. It mounts through its own single hole exactly the same way a standard faucet does, so the compatibility and sizing guidance above applies here too.
A Second Tap for Filtered Water
Because it only carries cold, filtered water, this style runs a smaller spout and a single on-off lever rather than a mixing valve. It's a common pairing with a farmhouse or apron-front kitchen sink where there's deck space for a second, smaller fixture.
The same single-hole installation steps apply to the water dispenser tap, connecting to your under-sink filtration line instead of a standard hot and cold supply.
"The first cold water faucet arrived and had a flaw. The owner was more than helpful fixing the issue very quickly. Beautiful faucet and goes well with our decor."
This review was left for the Cold Water Dispenser Faucet. Browse it directly if you're pairing one with an existing kitchen faucet.
US Installation Notes: Thread Fittings
The main regional difference that affects single-hole faucet installation is thread standard. The US and Canada use NPT (National Pipe Taper) fittings, while the UK and most of Europe use BSP (British Standard Pipe) fittings, a different thread form entirely rather than just a different size. Most Insideast orders connect to shutoff valves without needing anything extra, but a handful of US customers have run into a mismatch worth knowing about ahead of time.
"If you're in the U.S., the included faucet supply lines do not fit natively. I had to adapt using a 3/8 inch compression C-swivel on the valve, then a 3/8 inch compression to 3/8 inch MIP adapter, then the included supply line. It does feel more premium."
This review was left for the Single Hole Brass Bath Vanity Faucet. Kevin's fix above, stepping down from a compression C-swivel to a compression-to-MIP adapter, is a fairly standard workaround and a good one to have on hand if your shutoff valves are older or non-standard. Other customers have run into the same NPT mismatch and had it sorted out directly with the team.
"The supply lines sent did not fit our NPT 3/8 inch wall valves, which was a headache at first, but the seller was able to send links to proper fittings and refund the difference once I asked for his help."
This review was also left for the Single Hole Brass Bath Vanity Faucet. If your supply lines don't thread on cleanly, that's a fitting mismatch, not a defect, and it's worth reaching out before assuming the part is wrong. Email contact@insideast.com with a photo of your shutoff valve and Insideast can point you to the exact adapter needed.
UK: Single Lever Tap Maintenance Basics
Once a single lever tap is installed, day-to-day care is light. Wipe the faucet down with a soft cloth after use to limit water spotting, and stick to mild soap and warm water for regular cleaning rather than a harsh descaler, since unlacquered brass is meant to darken and develop patina naturally over time. If limescale builds up around the base, a light vinegar-based paste left on for 30 to 60 minutes and rinsed well is enough, the same approach covered in our full brass cleaning guide. Leaving an acidic cleaner on much longer than that can etch the surface, so more time isn't better here.
For anything beyond routine cleaning, a dripping lever or reduced flow is usually a cartridge issue rather than something wrong with the tap body itself, and Insideast customer service can advise on a replacement cartridge for your specific model.
Are all single-hole faucets the same size?
No. The overall height, spout reach, and the pre-drilled hole diameter a faucet needs all vary by model. A typical single-hole faucet needs a deck opening around 1.25 to 1.35 inches (32 to 34mm) across, but this is an example, not a universal number. Every Insideast product page includes a size guide with the exact dimensions and hole requirement for that specific faucet.
Can I convert a 3-hole or widespread sink to fit a single-hole faucet?
Yes, in most cases. If your sink deck has extra holes that a single-hole faucet won't use, Insideast can custom-make a solid brass hole cover, sometimes called a deck plate, sized to your exact opening, along with an extension tube if your deck is thicker than standard. These are made to order for an added charge, not stocked as standard products.
What comes included when I order a single-hole faucet from Insideast?
Each single-hole faucet ships with the faucet body, preassembled cartridges, the handle or handles, braided steel supply hoses, and the mounting hardware needed to secure it to your sink deck. It is built to connect straight to your existing shutoff valves without sourcing extra parts.
Do the included supply lines fit US plumbing without adapters?
Usually, but not always. A few US customers have needed a simple compression adapter, such as a 3/8 inch compression to 3/8 inch MIP fitting, to mate the included hoses with an NPT shutoff valve. If your valves are unusual or older, Insideast customer service can point you to the right adapter before or after you order.
What is a single lever tap?
Single lever tap is the term most commonly used in the UK for what US buyers call a single-hole faucet: one fixture, one deck hole, with a single lever handle controlling both temperature and flow instead of separate hot and cold handles.
A single-hole faucet is the simplest fixture to spec once you know your hole count and have the right size guide in hand, and Insideast can custom-cover any extra holes or add an extension tube if your setup needs it. Browse the full single-hole faucets collection, or add 3 or more pieces to your cart for 15% off across bath fixtures.
