The adsorption of a range of polyphenols to cellulose occurred spontaneously and quickly, eventually leading to equilibrium, which can be characterised by a Langmuir binding isotherm. Apparent maximum binding capacity of polyphenols to cellulose was predicted to reach approximately 140% cellulose mass. Diverse polyphenols all bound to cellulose with similar general behaviour, but at slightly different extents and rates. Environmental factors, including pH, temperature and NaCl addition, had only small effects on the polyphenol adsorption onto cellulose.