Should You Hang Toilet Paper Over or Under?

Welcome to one of humanity’s most hotly contested questions—no, not “What is the meaning of life?” or “Does pineapple belong on pizza?” Rather, it’s the eternal domestic toilet paper showdown unfolding in bathrooms across America: Are you Team Over or Team Under?

In my house, I’m proudly Team Over. My husband, bless him, is firmly on Team I Don’t Care—which is how we end up with rogue under-hangs or, worse, the dreaded empty cardboard tube with the fresh roll just … lounging on top of the toilet like it’s a shrine. Do I silently replace it the right way every time? You bet I do. Are we still married? Miraculously, yes. (I swear he’s only a psychopath in this one area.)

I know we’re not alone. This seemingly small debate has divided households, fueled petty roommate vengeance and even quietly determined the future of relationships. With so much at stake, we turned to the experts to settle it once and for all. So grab your roll, settle in and prepare to learn more than you ever thought possible about the psychology, hygiene and history of toilet paper orientation.

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How to hang toilet paper (without starting World War III)

First things first. Yes, this does matter. You may think it’s a silly, insignificant detail—until your new roommate or partner changes the roll to the “wrong” way and you suddenly find yourself perusing rental listings or googling couples counselors.

This matters not because there is an absolute “right” way to hang toilet paper but because of “how strongly people feel about it,” says Charles Sweet, MD, MPH, a psychiatrist and medical advisor at Linear Health.

Why do people care so much? As mundane and slightly ridiculous as toilet paper orientation can seem, it’s a “micro-expression of who we are,” says Dr. Sweet. “When someone changes the roll to the ‘wrong’ way, it can feel like a tiny violation of personal values or space. These little domestic rituals can surprisingly become battlegrounds for bigger, unspoken tensions. Couples can bicker and blame it on the toilet paper, but really, there’s a deeper need for respect and listening.”

So now that we’ve established how important this is, let’s break down the arguments with the help of our experts.

The case for “over”

If you’re Team Over, congratulations, you’re most aligned with the etiquette, logic, hygiene and history of toilet paper placement.

“Over, always,” says etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts. “From an etiquette perspective, it’s less about rules and more about intuitive consideration. The ‘over’ method is cleaner, easier to grab and far more guest-friendly. It’s no accident that hotels, airlines and high-end venues opt for this layout—it’s a visual cue of attentiveness.”

Rick Berres, a bathroom renovation expert and probably the person who’s seen more toilet paper than any living soul, agrees, adding that “over means you’re not brushing your hand against the wall accidentally, thus spreading germs. It’s just common sense, really.”

Besides hygiene, there’s efficiency. Dr. Sweet says that the “over” orientation is easier for people to manage, especially if they’re dealing with reduced dexterity or are in low-light situations. He adds that people don’t want to have to figure out where the end of the toilet paper is in the moment, and having it hanging over makes it much easier to spot the end.

And last but not least, a paper tail hanging down is slightly easier for curious toddlers and pets to grab, turning the TP roll into a carnival game. Hanging it over might slightly slow down the unspooling madness. (Personally, as the mother of many children and pets, I am dubious of this reason. A determined toddler or cat can unspool an entire roll and baptize it in the toilet faster than you can say “Alexa, reorder Charmin.”)

The case for “under”

Let’s be honest: The case for “under” comes mostly down to vibes, rebellion or just laziness. Some Team Unders claim it’s “more aesthetic,” while others say they do it just to be passive-aggressive and annoy their partner. Some people will hang it “under” not for a specific reason but simply because “they have to be right about this non-essential, non-life-altering detail,” Berres says.

For people like my husband, it isn’t so much a choice to hang it under, but rather, they don’t care enough to pay attention to which way they’re hanging it. Berres says most folks probably fall into that third group: “I’ve probably seen more toilet paper hanging than anyone else in the world. There’s no way that is more prevalent, most people just do whatever. Most people don’t actually care, but the ones who do don’t even know why.”

The history behind the toilet paper debate

Before we get to the final verdict, you first need to understand the history of the debate. Toilet paper itself dates back to sixth-century China, but mass production didn’t hit the U.S. until the late 1800s. Before that, folks used whatever was handy: corn cobs (ouch!), moss, even Sears catalogs.

Then, in 1891, New York businessman Seth Wheeler patented the perforated toilet paper roll and—wait for it—the patent sketch clearly shows the roll dispensing over the top. So unless you’re into defying inventors, it was already not looking great for Team Under. If only he knew he’d spark centuries of bathroom-based bickering.

Even now, over a hundred years later, a poll done by Mr. Rooter Plumbing shows people are still weirdly passionate about this. They surveyed more than 3,000 folks and found that 73% preferred “over,” 10% preferred “under” and 100% judged others silently. (The other 17% joined my hubs in not caring.)

Seth Wheeler

Over or under: Which is best?

Let’s just cut to the chase. The answer is over. Here’s why:

• It’s more hygienic: The top sheet covers the rest of the roll and there’s no hand-to-wall contact.

• It’s more convenient: Most people find “over” easier to find, grab and tear.

• It’s literally in the original patent.

And it’s probably less likely to cause a passive-aggressive roommate standoff where someone keeps flipping it back their way like you’re trapped in a never-ending sitcom plot.

Dr. Sweet sums it up: “It’s really not about the toilet paper—it’s about control, habit and the psychology of order. But if we’re going by efficiency and manufacturer intent, ‘over’ wins.”

So there you have it. “Over” is not just a direction; it’s a lifestyle.

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Sources

• Mr. Rooter Plumbing: “The Ultimate Toilet Paper Survey”
• Charles Sweet, MD, MPH, psychiatrist and medical advisor at Linear Health; email interview, May 5, 2025
• Lisa Mirza Grotts, etiquette expert and founder of Golden Rules Gal; phone interview, May 5, 2025
• Rick Berres, bathroom renovation expert and owner of Honey-Doers; email interview, May 8, 2025

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