How do you compare toilet paper price per sheet?

The formula in words

Let P stand for the pack price, R for the number of rolls in the pack, and S for the sheets on one roll. Price per sheet is P divided by the product of R and S. If you prefer a figure that is easier to read, multiply the result by one hundred to get the price per hundred sheets. Retailer unit-price labels and the sheet count printed in the manufacturer package labeling are the two inputs this method relies on.

The same method works for any pair of packs. Work out the per-sheet figure for each one using its own P, R and S, then compare the two results. The pack with the lower figure costs less for the same amount of paper, whatever the roll names on the front say.

Why roll names mislead

Brands describe rolls with words such as double, mega, super or family. These are marketing names, and there is no single standard that says how many sheets a double roll holds. One brand's mega roll can hold fewer sheets than another brand's double roll, so the label word alone cannot tell you how much paper you are getting.

Instead, read the sheet count on the package. Most packs print the sheets per roll and often the total sheets in the pack. If only a regular-roll equivalent is printed, that is a brand's own comparison, so use the actual sheet count when you can find it.

Using the unit-price label

Many retailers show a unit price on the shelf tag or product page, such as price per 100 sheets or per square foot. This is a convenient shortcut, but check that the unit matches across the products you are comparing. A tag in sheets for one pack and in square feet for another cannot be compared directly.

Sheet size and the number of plies also vary. A pack with fewer, larger or thicker sheets may be used differently from one with many thin sheets, so price per sheet is a starting point and not the whole picture. Our guide on reading unit price labels explains the common units.

• Find the pack price and the number of rolls.
• Find the sheets per roll on the package, not just the roll name.
• Work out the total sheets, then divide the price by that total.
• Compare the per-sheet figures, then consider ply, softness and any septic or sourcing needs.

When the cheapest per sheet is not the right pick

A low figure can come with trade-offs you may care about, such as scratchier paper, a fiber source you would rather avoid, or a label that does not suit a septic system. Treat price per sheet as one filter, then narrow by the features that matter to your household.

Sources

• Retailer unit-price labels and package sheet counts
• Manufacturer package labeling