How to compare paper towel prices per sheet
Roll names like "double" or "mega" don't tell you how many sheets are inside, and they don't mean the same thing from pack to pack. The total sheet count on the label does. Divide the price by that count, do the same for each pack, and you can compare any two packs in a few seconds.
The method
- Find the total sheet count on the label. Some packs list sheets per roll instead. If so, multiply the sheets per roll by the number of rolls.
- Divide the pack price by the total sheet count. The result is the cost per sheet.
- Do every pack the same way, then compare the cost per sheet. The pack price on its own doesn't tell you which pack costs less per sheet.
Per-sheet comparisons are fair only if the sheets are a similar size. The sheet size is usually printed on the label in inches. Sheets can also differ in thickness (ply), which this math doesn't measure.
Worked example
Example numbers, not actual prices or products
| Pack | Rolls × sheets per roll | Total sheets | Example price | Cost per sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pack A | 4 × 125 | 500 | $10 (example) | $10 ÷ 500 = $0.02 per sheet (2 cents) |
| Pack B | 6 × 200 | 1,200 | $18 (example) | $18 ÷ 1,200 = $0.015 per sheet (1.5 cents) |
In this example, Pack B has the higher pack price but the lower cost per sheet. Real prices and sheet counts vary, so run the numbers for the packs in front of you.
When sheet sizes differ
If one pack has bigger sheets than another, or one has smaller half-size sheets, compare by area instead of by sheet:
- Find the total area on the label (often listed in square feet). If it isn't listed, multiply the sheet width by the sheet length in inches, multiply by the total sheets, then divide by 144 to get square feet.
- Divide the pack price by the total square feet. The result is the cost per square foot.
Example numbers, not actual prices or products
A pack of 600 sheets, each 11 × 6 inches: 11 × 6 × 600 = 39,600 square inches. 39,600 ÷ 144 = 275 square feet. At an example price of $11, that's $11 ÷ 275 = $0.04 per square foot.
Quick checklist
- Skip the roll name; find the total sheets on the label.
- Check the sheet size if the packs look different.
- Use the price on the retailer's page for every pack, at the same time.
- Price ÷ total sheets = cost per sheet. Do every pack the same way.
Prices come from the retailer and can change, so always confirm the price on the retailer's page.