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Some toilet roll holders or dispensers allow the toilet paper to hang in front of (over) or behind (under) the roll when it is placed parallel to the wall. This divides opinions about which orientation is better. Arguments range from aesthetics, hospitality, and cleanliness to paper conservation, ease of detaching sheets, and compatibility with pets.

The US advice column Ask Ann Landers reported that the subject was the most controversial issue in the column's history and, at 15,000 letters in 1986, provoked the highest number of responses. Some writers have proposed that preference for one orientation over the other may have connections to age, sex, or political philosophy, and survey evidence has shown a correlation with socioeconomic status.

The case study of "toilet paper orientation" is an widely used teaching tool in instruction sociology students in the practice of social constructionism.[1]

Arguments

The main reasons given by people to explain why they hang their toilet paper a given way are ease of grabbing and habit.[2] Some particular advantages cited for each orientation include: hanging over reduces the risk of accidentally brushing the wall or cabinet with one's knuckles, potentially transferring grime and germs;[3] makes it easier to visually locate and to grasp the loose end;[4] gives the option to fold over the last sheet to show that the room has been cleaned;[5] and is generally the intended direction of viewing for the manufacturer's branding, so patterned toilet paper looks better this way.[6]

The under position provides a tidier appearance, in that the loose end can be more hidden from view;[7][8] reduces the risk of a toddler or a house pet such as a cat unrolling the toilet paper when batting at the roll;[9] and in a recreational vehicle may reduce unrolling during driving.[10] Partisans have claimed that each method makes it easier to tear the toilet paper on a perforated sheet boundary.[11]

The over position is shown in illustrations with the first patent for a toilet-roll holder, issued in 1891.[12]

Various toilet paper dispensers are available which avoid the question of over or under orientation; for example, single sheet dispensers, jumbo roll dispensers in which the toilet roll is perpendicular to the wall, and twin roll dispensers.[13] Swivelling toilet paper dispensers have been developed which allow the paper to be unrolled in either direction.[14][15]

Public opinion

In various surveys, around 70% of people prefer the over position.[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] In a survey of 1,000 Americans, Cottonelle found that "overs" are more likely than "unders" to notice a roll's direction (74 percent), to be annoyed when the direction is "incorrect" (24 percent), and to have flipped the direction at a friend's home (27 percent).[24] According to W. C. Privy's Original Bathroom Companion, Number 2, "By more than 4 to 1, older folks prefer to have their toilet paper dispense over the front."[25] The same claim is made by James Buckley's The Bathroom Companion for people older than 50.[26] Toilet paper orientation is sometimes mentioned as a hurdle for married couples.[27] The issue may also arise in businesses and public places.[28] At the Amundsen–Scott Research Station at the South Pole, complaints have been raised over which way to install toilet paper.[29] It is unclear if one orientation is more economical than the other. The Centralian Advocate attributes a claim to Planet Green that over saves on paper usage.[30]