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Wallpaper calculator
Industry standard
Result
Wall area
Rolls
Region
Waste
Prices: national avg · Jun 2026 · sources
DiagramUpdates as you type

Estimate how many rolls of wallpaper you need from your wall area, minus openings, with extra for pattern matching.

Formula

rolls = (wall_area − openings) ÷ roll_coverage × (1 + waste)

Method & sources
Formula basisIndustry roll-coverage practice
How we calculateWall area ÷ usable roll coverage (accounting for pattern repeat), with a waste allowance.
Formula verified against the published standard above. Method last reviewed June 2026. Estimates are for planning — confirm against supplier quotes.

How it works

Subtract openings from the wall area, divide by the coverage per roll, and add waste — patterns need 15% or more for matching.

Pattern repeat

Large pattern repeats waste more paper. Check the repeat on your roll and increase waste accordingly.

Worked example

Papering a 12 x 12 ft room with 9 ft walls

Walls: perimeter 48 ft x 9 ft = 432 square feet. Subtract a door and window, about 40 square feet, for 392 square feet. A standard double-roll covers about 56 usable square feet, so 392 ÷ 56 = 7 rolls before waste, and at 15% pattern-matching waste about 8 rolls.

The waste factor is higher for wallpaper than paint because every strip must align with its neighbor. The bigger the pattern repeat, the more you trim to match — a large repeat can push waste to 20-25%, so check the repeat distance on the roll.

What affects your result

Common mistakes to avoid

Where the numbers come from

A standard double-roll covers about 56 ft² usable. Pattern matching drives the higher 15% waste — confirm your roll's coverage.

Frequently asked questions

How many rolls of wallpaper do I need?

Divide your net wall area by the roll's usable coverage and add 15% for pattern matching.

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