Toilet Paper is definitely one of those items that all people need to buy. People like myself who coupon-shop especially like to grab this item when it reaches stockpile prices. Not all toilet paper is created equal; you have double rolls, triple rolls, and even something called the Mega roll..oh my! The choices for toilet paper seem endless and it can be really hard to know which toilet paper stretches your dollar the furthest.
I’ve been wanting to get down to the “bottom” of what are the best deals on toilet paper and what prices bargain shoppers should be paying. I admit it’s sort of a strange research project but then again couponers do some strange things. 🙂 I did some research at 5 large stores to compare every brand of toilet paper available. The stores I went to are Costco, Walmart, Target, Cash n Carry, and Winco. My research was to determine the answer to this question, “Which Toilet Paper is the best value?”
I created a spreadsheet you can view that shows regular price, square footage, thickness (or ply), the price per sq foot, and price per roll. Feel free to print this out and add it to your coupon binder or coupon box as a reference guide. Note – when you open this spreadsheet there are two tabs at the bottom – one that lists just the top 5 from each ply of toilet paper, and also the top prices from each brand.
You have two options to view this list:
- View in Google Docs version
- For printable version from Google Docs: Click File, Download As, choose PDF and export to your computer
- There are two tabs at the bottom, make sure and check each tab as there is useful information there as well.
What I found out was that to determine the best price on Toilet paper we needed to figure out the Price per Square foot per package. Forget about the price per roll…it’s all about the square footage. Here is how you determine the square footage of the package –
Find the Total Square Feet number on the package. Then divide it into the price that the package costs. So if this package costs $9.24 you would divide that into 1257.6 = $0.007 per sq. foot. This is the formula you can always use when your are out shopping to determine the price you are paying. I had heard that you should stick to under $0.01 per square foot for stocking up, but the results I found were quite a bit lower than even that $0.01 per sq. foot pricing.
Want to hear the results of my research? Drum roll please…..
The #1 Winner for best price per square foot was for Simply Value brand toilet paper at Cash n Carry. The Simply Value brand 20 Rolls package runs $13.47 and has 2055 total square feet of toilet paper. So that is only .007 per square foot.
The next runner up in best value was Scott 1000 Toilet paper. At Walmart and Target the price per square foot were also .007 per square foot, just slightly on the higher side of it.
You wanna see my bar graph? Oh yeah…I am totally nerding out here with my data… it’s just so fun to see in graph form!
While these Simply Value and Scott 1000 toilet paper prices are the best per sq. foot in price, the toilet paper is only 1 ply thickness. This means the toilet paper is pretty thin and not very soft. They weren’t horribly rough or anything, they were fine, just not as soft as the others. The rolls are also larger, which means less changing them out – I love that! My Simply Value toilet paper rolls seem to last FOREVER! While I love soft toilet paper, I love a great value even more so I will be sticking with these two choices in the future, unless I can beat that price per sq. foot using coupons + sales.
Does Softness Matter to you? There is definitely a difference when it comes to softness in toilet paper, so if you like it soft I figured out the best prices on the 2-Ply and 3-Ply types. Each ply means how many sheets are put together to make the toilet paper sheets. You can see 2-Ply very clearly here –
Here are the best value prices graphs in 2-Ply and 3-Ply toilet paper brands (this is for people who really value the softness in toilet paper, a little more than lowest prices. )
For 2 Ply Toilet Paper, the best deals are at Costco and Walmart:
Costco’s Marathon Ultra 48 Big Rolls is priced at $0.008 per sq. foot
Costco’s Kirkland Embossed 36 rolls is priced at $0.009 per sq. foot
Walmart’s “New” brand 12 double rolls is priced at $0.01 per sq. foot.
All of these prices are still under the $0.01 per sq. foot pricing, so these are great prices.
But when we get into the 3-ply the price per sq. foot is a bit higher.
Quilted Northern Ultra 30 rolls $0.019 (almost $0.02 per sq. foot)
Walmart’s White Cloud Ultra 12 Double Roll is priced at $0.021 per sq. foot.
More on Softness – I tested each one of these toilet paper brands shown below to determine the softness. My testing techniques shall remain private and confidential. (hee hee) 😉 The number one top pick for softness was Quilted Northern. Being 3-ply thickness it was the Cadillac of toilet papers for sure. My next vote for softness was the Costco’s Kirkland brand, followed by Charmin, and then Angel Soft. Next was Cottonelle, then Western Family, Simply Value and then Scott 1000.
So the bottom line is this – softness comes with a price and only you can determine what you willing to pay.
I’m not ashamed to say I’m a 1 ply and proud. I just love the best value price so much, and how long each roll lasts. I hope my research and spreadsheet help you out!
About Karrie
Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...
Comments & Reviews
Andi Thomas says
Thanks so much for this post. I was just thinking today how we didn’t seem to go through the Costco Kirkland brand as quickly. I bought a bunch of 1-ply on sale and I think now I know why. We just used more of the 1-ply. Plus I love the convenience of buying 36 rolls in one pack. Was feeling a little guilty about going to back to them for convenience. Now I don’t! Thanks again.
Miss Jay says
I love too how the kirkland rolls are individually wrapped. For some silly reason that is very valuable for me.
Krissy Rowan says
Wow! You have a lot of time on your hands.
Karrie says
No, I have very little time actually. I am just very very very NERDY…:)! Well that and I just really was confused before I started this project, and wanted to know this information.
Whitney says
Though this post is an old one, I just read it and was very amused and VERY impressed with you! What research, and GRAPHS! Amazing. And now I’m even more impressed that you responded to the snarky comment above with humor and grace. You’ve gained a new reader. Thank you for your blog!
Soccy says
Great post! Thank you for all that hard data. Being super new to couponing, how do you do those deals where you get a bunch of rolls for free or near to it?
Karrie says
Every once in awhile the stars just align and there is a smokin hot tp sale along with great coupons. Then savvy shoppers like to stock up! I know there was a deal recently on Cottonelle toilet paper I posted about where you could get it free after Register Reward at Walgreens.
MelissaB says
Thanks for the informative and fun post! I need TP too because my stock is just about gone. 🙂
Deb says
I love it! Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put in this! It can get quite mind-boggling!!! 🙂
Miss Jay says
Meagen – that’s what our family does too! (I make sure guests get 2 ply too)
Chris says
OUTSTANDING! … I think I gotta go soon, …
No–to buy some toilet paper before this is outdated.
Great job! How about paper towels like April said?
Karrie says
LOL! Funny Chris. I will work on a paper towels research project next, stay tuned for next weeks post – Using Toilet Paper for Paper Towels… ha ha, just kiddin’!
Chris says
Hey– K. You might be on to something there! Save by going small… How to downsize your paper towel budget with TP. No more need to tear off a piece of a full-size paper towel to do those little tasks like pick up that tiny squished thing on the linoleum. Save dollars & impress your guests with a kitchen-mounted TP roll–also a great conversation piece! 😉
Karrie says
ha ha ha!! Thanks for the laugh. Too funny.
Elise says
Such useful information! Great reference tool!
I accidentally purchased Scott 1-ply (thinking it was 2-ply). I literally use 4 times as many sheets to wipe as I would with some thicker brands. When it’s really good TP, I only need 3 or 4 squares, compared to the 3 feet I need of the 1-ply.
I love the idea of using the cheaper stuff on the kiddos. Mine aren’t old enough yet, but I wish they were 😉
Chris Taylor Jr says
I am genuinely curious to have more information on comments like this (this is getting into potentially “creepy” territory so please bear with me)
3-4 squares. doing what? I never actually asks my mum or sisters how they do a #1. do you have to “wipe” to do #1 ? (I honestly don’t know) is that where you are using 3-4 squares?
Obviously as a man I don’t wipe for #1 just #2 and for me personally #2 has nothing to do with absorbancy and everything to do with square footage. so thicker plys I don’t THINK would result in using less since the footage requirements are the same.
I notice when I wipe (getting close to creepy again here so bear with me) I fold the paper into multiple layers. (plys)
so I thought ok get multi ply and I will need less. but no. I still needed multiple layers. it APPEARS the need to fold over is about strength at the tear points.
if I use less layers the paper tears away before I can “wipe through” my butt. more layers its stronger and I get a clean “wipe”
I have found that not only does multi ply not help this but for some reason it TEARS at the seems even easier than single ply necessitating more.
now for #1 if you gals need to wipe to do that OK now absorbancy comes into play and I can see thicker softer requiring “less” paper in footage than harsher single ply. I also imagine those bits are a bit more sensitive.
sorry for getting into potentially creepy talk but it has to be discussed in some fashion and might save us a lot of cash in the end 🙂
FrugalityFreak says
Well said, good points. You aren’t alone, in the need to roll multiple layers, and why (though, I’m more of a ‘wadder’ – new word & more, into TMI territory). This is, regardless of the TP type, or whether #1 or #2. You’re, also, correct, in your assumptions, about we (majority), ladies… I find Scott to be plenty soft, if wadded, for absorbency, though. With any TP, I dampen it, when I’m feeling more sensitive, down yonder, anyway.
**Thanks for the work, time and thought put into the blogger’s work, here. It hadn’t occurred to me to check the square footage pricing, instead of numbers of sheets… BIG help, and it was driving me bonkers trying to narrow down the best deal on a few of my standbys. Kudos!
Lisa says
I thought I was getting a good deal at FM with 12 double rolls for $3.99, but when I looked at the packages. The double roll pack that I bought in June was 322 sq. ft and the double roll pack that I bought in Sept was only 266 sq ft!! comes out to $.015 per sq feet. I will definitely be trying a different 2-ply! thanks!!!!
Lori says
This is amazing information! Thanks so much for taking the time to compile it!
April says
Awesome! Thanks for the info…
Someone needs to do this for paper towels.
Karrie says
Great Idea, I considered getting the prices for paper towels while I was getting the prices for tp, but my computer was runnin out of battery juice quickly so I said I will compile that next time. I will get to work on the paper towels list soon!
Chris Taylor Jr says
paper towels is easy. buy ANY kind and simply stop using them whenever possible. use cloth towels. the very tiny cost of water soap and electricity is far lower than the cost of the paper towels.
Chris Taylor Jr says
OH and don’t forget to factor in GASOLINE especially if you don’t COMBINE your trips to amortize the gasoline costs better.
kris says
This is great!!! Maybe you could mail me out a few yards of each so I can test them all too?!
Oh, and I hope this isn’t too nit picky, ’cause this is awesome and you know it…but the costco 2-ply prices…if they are under .01 they need another 0… .008 and .009
Karrie says
Ha! I could you know, I bought a LOT of toilet paper for this testing process… (Oh and thanks for letting me know. I had it right when I first posted it this morning, and then for some reason I though…oh no, I think I added one too many zeros to that so I removed them. But glad you said something cause I fixed it back now. )
Kate says
You’re cool!
Nice work! :p
Sarah says
thank you thank you! I have been wondering this myself every time I buy it! I value a deal over anything else when it comes to TP, so thanks again!
mandi says
You are so creative. I love these posts
Elaina says
Thanks for the fun and informative post! I have always been a more -ply -the -better kinda gal…until recently I stocked up on the Scotts TP deal at Rite-Aid.. I am a changed lady….. You are right..it lasts and lasts…and it is really awesome quality…
Leah says
Wow! You are incredible!
jens says
Hey Karrie—-I think you’re on a roll with this toilet paper info! Very insightful–and I agree with you Trina, for example, the 1-py Scott 1000 sheets might appear to last awhile–but we use more, to DOO more. We like 2 ply the best! Thanks for the giggles!
Karrie says
Ha ha ha…”on a ROLL”…. so funny!! I found that my kids would use tons of toilet paper anyways when they wipe, so it was nice not to feel like I was wasting as much money with the 1ply brands, but yeah, if I can find a comparable deal on 2 or 3 ply I will be all over it!
Junebug says
Scott does NOT like to flush down in any of my toilets! 🙁 It has to do with the corseness of it and it does not soften up enough when wet thus clogging my leu.
Fun Stuff says
LoL! This is so funny… You ladies need to cut back on paper and just shake it like we guys do when you wee…
Chris Taylor Jr says
actually I am thinking about building my own bidet type system for just this reason. (I am a guy but hard core about saving money)
the trick is warming the water cost effectively in the summer this is easy a solar heater outside the window in the winter not so easy.
but yeah if I can figure out a way to make a more sealable toilet seat (to avoid spraying water everywhere) and have a “wand” with a hook on the bottom and just spray it down under their then I would need hardly any toilet paper at all. in fact if it works well enough I could just use a towel to “dry off” (or a blower) though toilet paper would be better most likely since if I end up not spraying well enough and soil the towel making is necessary to now wash it before another use the water and soap and electricity to wash it will probably exceed the cost of the toilet paper I saved.
The problem really is gumby dumps. man does that use a TON of toilet paper.
we have 7 in our household so toilet paper is a rather significant expenditure.
Priscilla says
You want us to shake it like the guys? Your cute
Trina Wood says
Love all of the comparison data, and your softness testing! 🙂 I’m a 2-ply lady also. Otherwise I end up using 8 feet of the 1 ply stuff per wipe!
Chris Taylor Jr says
I have also wondered this. I am starting to think of this like I do my car. less about price per gallon and more about CPM. cost per mile since CPM is what you ACTUALLY have to pay.
if you have to use more than twice the amount of single ply as you do double ply then the double ply would actually end up being cheaper.
but this would require dedication to the task. IE I fear most in the house would use the same amount out of habit and lack of caring.
I might test it anyway just to see.
I can’t stand the soft stuff. never seems to work as well and takes half a roll to wipe my butt. Scott and Marcel single 1000 is what we usually use.
gonna have to test this.
Courtney says
I just want to say “Thank you”!!!! I am a 2ply kinda gal and this post made my day!
Chris Taylor Jr says
Ok – call me crazy but I just got an idea. I think I just figured out how to get toilet paper for .004/sq/ft
How does a single ply of a double ply compare to a sheet of single ply? do you see where I am going with this?
ie what if I took a double ply roll and “peeled it apart” into 2 single ply rolls. double the square footage now.
but if they make each ply “thinner” this might not work out so well 🙂 and it would also depend on being able to AUTOMATE the process to a large extent in separating the plys into separate rolls.
I would like to have 6 months of toilet paper on hand at all times trying to figure out the cheapest way to get and maintain this. eventually I want 12 months of everything.
James Pea says
Ok “crazy”, just use two-ply paper and halve the number of sheets you’d ordinarily use—you’ve just doubled your square-footage value for money—no peeling necessary! lol
Katrina says
When I was youger living with my mom money was always very tight. My mom would try and save money where ever she could and she did just what you are talking about. She put together some homemade contraption that helped her separate the two sheets and roll them onto the empty toilet roll tubs that we would save. Yes it would take some effort beluga it worked and saved abunch of money
Sue says
Steal it from public restrooms…lol
Just kidding. That stuff is 1/2ply..wood..
Kirsti says
This had me CRACKING UP!!!!
Lauren Todd says
THANK YOU FOR DOING THE DATA WORK on this. 😉
y says
I buy scotts 1000 sheet 12 packs twice a year when Wal-greens has it on sale for 8,99
sometimes 6.99 when theres a coupon…. buying 4-5 packages is spendy but your gonna shit till ya die… so may as well get it when its on sale…….. and stock up… like everything else price will go up…..
Jen says
You’re really silly … but correct! I figure it to be 6.5/10ths of one cents per square foot ($0.0065 per square foot), based on the 12 rolls being a total of 1,382.4 square feet. That sounds confusing, so let’s just say that for every 100 square feet, it would be 65 cents — very nice!
The one thing I would consider, so you don’t have to wait for twice/year, is if you happen to live near a Cash & Carry (restaurant store that lets anybody buy stuff), call and find out if they have their Simply Value brand. It is 20 rolls, totaling 2,055 square feet (about 13 feet less per rolls than Scotts), but for many it’s $13.50. I called mine today and found that they sell it for $12.50, making it $0.0061 per square feet, or 61 cents!
Now, I’m basing the cost of your Scotts on the sale price of $8.99, but like you said, if you can get it for $6.99, that’s FANTASTIC — a whopping $0.005 cents per square feet, or $0.50 per 100 square feet! But if you don’t want to wait until the next sale, or if you run out before then, Cash and Carry is an awesome bargain on its own.
Honestly, I have to say, I’m thinking about buying some Angel Soft to have on hand for when company comes. I currently keep the Cottonelle on hand, because it’s definitely some good quality, but we tend to like going through it, and it tends to go rather quickly, for some reason.
Oh well, I fear I’m getting into the TMI Factor , so I’ll hush now.
cherri st pierre says
can u do the figures for papertowls too?
Mercy says
Thank you for doing this, simplifying it and teaching it.