It’s the most persistent, low-stakes argument in human history. You’ve probably had it with a spouse, a roommate, or that one annoying coworker who insists on changing the roll every time they visit your house. We’re talking about toilet paper under or over. It sounds trivial. It’s just paper on a plastic stick, right? Wrong.
People have literally ended relationships over this. In 1986, the legendary advice columnist Ann Landers received thousands of letters after she suggested that "under" was the way to go. She eventually admitted it was the most controversial topic she had ever tackled in her career.
But here’s the thing: there isn't actually a "debate" if you look at the evidence. One side is objectively correct based on hygiene, history, and mechanical design.
The Patent That Ended the Argument (Or Should Have)
If you want to know how a tool is supposed to be used, you look at the person who invented it. In 1891, an inventor named Seth Wheeler filed a patent for a "Wrapping or toilet paper roll." Wheeler was basically the father of the modern perforated roll. He wanted to make sure people didn't waste paper by pulling off giant, unmanageable sheets.
The patent drawings aren't ambiguous. They show the paper hanging over the top.
Wheeler’s design relied on the weight of the roll and the tension of the perforation to allow for a clean, one-handed tear. When you hang the paper in the "over" position, the loose end is presented to the user. It’s easy to grab. It’s right there. If you flip it to "under," the paper hugs the wall, hides the perforation, and often requires two hands to find the edge.
Case closed? Not quite.
Why Your Bathroom Wall is Grosser Than You Think
Let's get into the "lifestyle" side of things—specifically, the health and hygiene aspect. This is where the toilet paper under or over choice actually starts to matter for your well-being.
Think about the last time you cleaned your bathroom wall. Be honest. Most people scrub the toilet, the sink, and the floor, but they rarely wipe down the drywall or tile directly behind the toilet paper holder.
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When you hang the paper "under," the loose end rests against the wall. Every time you grab a square, the paper drags across that surface. If you’re in a public restroom, or even a shared home, that wall is a breeding ground for bacteria.
A study by the University of Colorado found that public restrooms are covered in thousands of different types of bacteria. The most common? Staphylococcus, Salmonella, and E. coli. When the paper is in the "over" position, your fingers only touch the paper you are about to use. When it's "under," you’re often brushing your knuckles against the wall or the cabinet, picking up whatever the last person (who maybe didn't wash their hands well) left behind.
The Case for the Underdogs
So, why does anyone choose "under"? Are they just chaos agents?
Actually, there are two semi-legitimate reasons.
First: Cats. If you have a cat that thinks the toilet paper roll is an infinite treadmill of joy, you know the pain of coming home to a bathroom floor covered in white fluff. When the paper is "over," a cat batting at the roll will successfully unspool the entire thing. When it's "under," the cat’s downward paw motion just spins the roll in place without releasing paper. It’s a defensive maneuver.
Second: RVs and boats. In a moving vehicle, "under" creates more friction against the wall, which prevents the roll from unravelling while you’re driving down a bumpy highway.
But unless you live in a Winnebago or share your home with a particularly mischievous tabby, these reasons don't really hold water for the average person. Honestly, even cat owners usually give up and just close the bathroom door eventually.
The Psychology of the Roll
It’s weirdly deep.
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Dr. Gilda Carle, a relationship expert, created a "Toilet Paper Personality Test" where she surveyed 2,000 people about their rolling habits. She found that people who prefer "over" tend to be more "take-charge" types. They like organization. They like efficiency.
Those who prefer "under"? They tend to be more relaxed, flexible, and perhaps a bit more submissive in their social circles. She even suggested that if you’re dating someone who flips the roll the opposite way, it could be a sign of future power struggles in the relationship.
It sounds like a joke, but it points to a larger truth: we are creatures of habit. We find comfort in the way things "should" be. When someone disrupts that—even in a way as small as the orientation of a bathroom tissue—it feels like an attack on our personal order.
The Logistics of the Tear
Let’s talk physics for a second.
When the paper is over, the distance from the top of the roll to your hand is shorter. The angle allows you to use the "snap" method. You pull down, flick your wrist, and the perforations do their job.
When the paper is under, you are pulling against the gravity of the roll and the friction of the wall. This often leads to "shredding," where you end up with a handful of tiny paper triangles instead of a clean sheet. It’s frustrating. It’s unnecessary.
And don't even get me started on "hotel folds." You know, when the cleaning staff folds the first sheet into a little triangle? You can’t do that effectively with an "under" roll. It just looks like a mistake.
Breaking Down the Popularity
Most surveys show a clear winner.
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- Roughly 60% to 70% of people prefer "over."
- About 20% prefer "under."
- The remaining 10% or so don't care, or they just leave the roll sitting on top of the empty cardboard tube like a total savage.
Cottonelle actually did a massive "Great Divide" campaign years ago and found that "over" fans are more likely to notice when the roll is "wrong" at a friend's house. In fact, many admitted to "correcting" the roll secretly while using someone else's bathroom.
I’ve done it. You’ve probably done it too. It’s a public service, really.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Bathroom
If you’re still undecided or looking to settle an argument, here is the final word.
Stick to "Over" for Hygiene
Keep your paper off the wall. This is especially important if you have kids who are still learning the finer points of hand-washing. Reducing contact with bathroom surfaces is a simple win for household health.
Observe Your Patterns
Next time you struggle to find the edge of the paper, look at how it’s hanging. If you’re digging around the back of the roll near the wall, you’re in "under" territory. Flip it. See if your frustration levels drop.
Respect the Environment
Regardless of the direction, we use a lot of paper. Americans use about 57 pounds of toilet paper per person per year. Whether you go under or over, consider brands that use recycled content or bamboo to offset the environmental cost of your preference.
The Cat Clause
If your pet is destroying your home, "under" is your only sanctuary. Accept it. Your guests might judge you, but they aren't the ones cleaning up the shredded remains of a 12-pack of Quilted Northern at 3:00 AM.
The toilet paper under or over debate isn't going away, but at least now you have the patent office, microbiology, and relationship psychology on your side. Hang it over. Stay clean. Save your walls.