How much toilet paper does a household use?
An often quoted US estimate is that each person uses about 57 sheets a day, roughly 20,000 sheets a year. Actual use varies a lot with habits, the number of people at home during the day, children and the thickness of the paper.
How the calculator works
- Sheets used per day = people × sheets per person per day
- Days your stock lasts = rolls × sheets per roll ÷ sheets used per day
- Rolls per year = sheets per day × 365 ÷ sheets per roll
Example
A household of 2 using 57 sheets each a day goes through 114 sheets a day. A pack of 12 rolls of 240 sheets lasts about 25 days, and the household uses about 173 rolls a year.
Comparing packs
Labels such as “double roll”, “mega roll” or “equals 4 regular rolls” are not standard. Compare packs on:
- Total sheets in the pack, written on the label
- Price per 100 sheets = price ÷ total sheets × 100
- Sheet size and ply: a 2-ply sheet that is larger may let you use fewer sheets
A cheaper pack with small, thin sheets can cost more per use than it seems.
Using less
- Choose thicker 2-ply paper, which often means fewer sheets per use.
- Folding rather than crumpling uses less paper.
- A bidet attachment can cut toilet paper use sharply.
- Store rolls in a dry place: damp rolls tear and are wasted.
Planning ahead
For a camping trip, a holiday rental or emergency supplies, multiply the daily use by the number of people and days, then add a margin. Disaster preparedness guides commonly suggest keeping supplies for at least several days to two weeks.
Septic systems and plumbing
If you have a septic tank or old plumbing, choose paper labeled septic-safe, which breaks down quickly. Never flush wipes, even those labeled flushable, since they cause many sewer blockages.