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Wallpaper calculator: how many rolls do I need?

Wallpaper is hung in vertical strips, so the right number of rolls depends on your wall height, the roll size and the pattern repeat, not just the area. Enter your walls and we will count the strips for you.

Windows are left in as extra for cutting.
US single roll 33 ft. European roll 10.05 m.
On the label. 0 for plain or random match.

How to calculate how much wallpaper you need

Area based estimates often come up short with wallpaper, because each roll is cut into full height strips and the leftover piece at the end of a roll is often too short to use. The calculator above works the way decorators do, strip by strip.

  1. Strip length. Take the wall height and add about 4 inches (10 cm) for trimming at the ceiling and skirting. For patterned paper, add one pattern repeat so each strip can be lined up with the last.
  2. Strips per roll. Divide the roll length by the strip length and round down. A 33 foot roll gives three full strips for an 8 foot wall, because each strip is 8 feet plus trim and the leftover piece is too short.
  3. Strips needed. Measure the total width of the walls, subtract doors, and divide by the roll width. Round up.
  4. Rolls needed. Divide strips needed by strips per roll and round up. Then add one spare roll.

Standard wallpaper roll sizes

TypeWidthLengthArea
US single roll20.5 in33 ftAbout 56 sq ft
US double roll20.5 in66 ftAbout 112 sq ft
European roll53 cm10.05 mAbout 5.3 sq m
Wide roll68 to 70 cm10 mAbout 7 sq m

Many US papers are priced per single roll but only sold as double rolls, so check the listing before you order.

What is a pattern repeat?

The pattern repeat is the vertical distance before the design starts again. Large, bold patterns can have repeats of 20 inches or more, which means extra waste on every strip. Plain papers and random match designs have no repeat, so you waste very little. A drop match pattern also staggers each strip by half a repeat, but the waste works out much the same as a straight match.

Check the batch number. Rolls from different print runs can differ slightly in color. Buy every roll, including the spare, with the same batch or lot number on the label.

Feature wall or whole room?

A single feature wall is a quick, budget friendly way to add drama, and it is the perfect place for a bold pattern behind a bed or sofa. Switch the calculator to feature wall and enter just that wall's width. For more ideas, see our bedroom decor ideas and gallery wall ideas, and match the rest of the room with the color palette generator.

Frequently asked questions

How many rolls of wallpaper do I need for a 12x12 room?
A 12 by 12 foot room with 8 foot walls and one door needs 27 strips of standard 20.5 inch paper. At three strips per 33 foot roll that is 9 rolls, so buy 10 with a spare. Large pattern repeats can add a roll or two.
How much does one roll of wallpaper cover?
A US single roll covers about 56 square feet and a European roll about 5.3 square meters, but after trimming and pattern matching you can usually count on about 80 percent of that.
Should I subtract windows when measuring for wallpaper?
Subtract doors, but it is safer to leave small windows in. The pieces above and below a window still need cutting from full strips, so the saving is small.
Why buy an extra roll of wallpaper?
A spare covers cutting mistakes and future repairs. If the pattern is discontinued or reprinted in a new batch, you may never find an exact match again.
Is this wallpaper calculator free?
Yes. It is free, works in feet or meters and needs no sign up.