How long is a toilet paper roll, really?
Toilet paper dimensions are like the Bermuda Triangle of the bathroom — mysterious and wholly inconsistent.
Don’t get lost in the details! We’ve measured up the competition, looking at toilet roll lengths across the globe. Whether you're a toilet paper aficionado, a bathroom budgeting guru, or just plain curious, let's dive into the fascinating world of toilet paper dimensions.
Unravel the basics of toilet paper roll length
When it comes to the length of a standard toilet paper roll, there's surprisingly little standardisation across the globe. It's the Wild West out there, with each brand playing by its own rules as you’ll see below:
Andrex Classic Clean roll (190 sheets): 24 metres per roll
Bumboo bamboo roll (300 sheets): 30 metres per roll
Cheeky Panda bamboo roll (200 sheets): 24 metres per roll
Who Gives A Crap bamboo roll (370 sheets): 37 metres per roll
In North America, it’s rare to find a ‘regular roll’ pack anymore, with most companies using terms like ‘jumbo’, ‘mega’, or ‘ultra’ sized rolls. And yet, the average roll length comes in at about 100 feet (or 30 metres) – more on this later!
A peek at some popular US toilet paper brands shows even more length variability:
Amazon Basics ultra roll (340 sheets): 107 feet per roll
Charmin Ultra Soft mega roll (224 sheets): 73 feet per roll
Angel Soft mega roll (320 sheets): 101.3 feet per roll
Who Gives A Crap bamboo roll (370 sheets): 121 feet per roll
Note: Sheet counts and lengths are accurate at time of writing in March 2025.
Why the loo roll length lottery? Unlike A4 paper or football pitches, toilet paper hasn’t benefited from global standardisation. It’s largely down to regional manufacturing practices and consumer preferences that have evolved differently across continents.
The mega roll takeover
The toilet paper industry has some shortcomings when it comes to touting mega rolls. They emerged as brands looked to connect with customers driven by value, combatting concerns about dwindling sheet lengths and dimensions.
These oversized options say they contain double or even quadruple the paper of a standard roll, but that’s a tough sell. Remember how long the average toilet paper roll is in North America?
Amazon claims their ‘ultra’ rolls are 4X longer than regular rolls, implying that a standard roll is approximately 85 sheets long. By this logic, Charmin’s standard roll would be only 56 sheets. You’d be hard pressed to find bathroom tissue in such small sheet quantities, signifying that this market has essentially evolved beyond ‘regular’ roll sizes.
Another issue is that larger rolls don’t always fit standard holders. Their increased diameter — sometimes up to 13 centimetres compared to standard rolls' 10 centimetres — often makes them incompatible with built-in fixtures.
Despite this, mega rolls continue to grow in popularity — proof that many perceive ‘bigger’ as providing more value.
Don’t confuse sheet count with roll length
Sheet count and roll length are different measurements. The first counts individual squares, while the second measures total distance from start to finish.
In Europe, standard sheets measure approximately 10 to 12 centimetres (3.9 to 4.7 inches), while North American sheets typically have a height of around 11.4 centimetres (4.5 inches).
Ply count throws another wrinkle into the equation. A 3 ply roll with 400 sheets might be physically shorter than a 1 ply roll with 500 sheets, despite potentially offering more actual usage. Differences in ply affect more than length — determining quality, comfort, and flushability.
The thicker the paper, the fewer sheets needed for the same job, explaining the wizardry of why two similarly sized rolls can last for different periods.
What factors determine how long a toilet paper roll is?
There are more determinants of toilet paper length than you’d think: core size, roll tightness, and product material.
Regarding core size, the cardboard tube typically ranges from 38 - 45 millimetres (1.5 - 1.77 inches) in diameter, but larger cores reduce the amount of paper that fits on a roll. Roll tightness plays a huge role, too. Tightly wound rolls contain significantly more paper than loosely wound ones with identical diameters.
The material itself is the most crucial factor. Traditional toilet paper compresses differently than sustainable alternatives. Recycled paper produces bulkier rolls, while bamboo fibres create a more compact product that packs more length into the same space.
This is where bamboo toilet paper brands deliver excellent value — the natural properties of bamboo allow for longer rolls without creating size issues.
Conclusion – Does size really matter?
Toilet paper size does matter, but it's not about bragging rights or marketing labels. The length of a roll affects how often you’ll need to replace it, how much storage space you’ll need, and ultimately, your environmental footprint.
Toilet paper rolls range dramatically in length depending on the country of origin, sheet count, ply, and material type. Some research is required to gain the best economic value.
Speaking of which, Who Gives A Crap’s bamboo and recycled toilet paper offer the perfect balance of l length with planet-friendly materials, all while donating 50% of profits to help build toilets for those in need.
Browse our bathroom collection for items that measure up in all the ways that truly count.