SpecialtyInstant Tool
Wallpaper Calculator
Calculate single and double wallpaper rolls and pattern waste
Wallpaper Roll Estimator
Calculate single and double rolls, wall area, and pattern repeat waste
How Wallpaper Calculator Works
Net Wall Area = Perimeter × Ceiling Height - Doors and Windows; Rolls = Net Area × 1 + Pattern Repeat / Roll Usable AreaCalculates wallpaper rolls needed by measuring total room perimeter and wall height, subtracting standard door and window openings, and adjusting for pattern drop match repeats.
Variable Breakdown
L
Room LengthLength of the room in feet
W
Room WidthWidth of the room in feet
H
Ceiling HeightVertical ceiling height in feet
Pattern
Pattern RepeatVertical pattern match interval causing trimming waste
Example Calculation
14 by 12 Foot Bedroom with 9 Foot Ceilings
A decorator wallpapers a 14 by 12 foot room with 9-foot ceilings, 2 doors, 2 windows, and a small pattern repeat with 10 percent waste.
- Room perimeter equals 14 plus 12 multiplied by 2 which equals 52 feet
- Gross wall area equals 52 multiplied by 9 which equals 468 square feet
- Deductions for 2 doors 42 sq ft and 2 windows 30 sq ft equals 72 square feet
- Net square footage equals 468 minus 72 which equals 396 square feet
- Adding 10 percent pattern waste equals 435.6 square feet
- Single rolls required equals 435.6 divided by 28 usable square feet which equals 16 rolls or 8 double rolls
Result:16 Single Rolls or 8 Double Rolls
Pattern Repeat Waste and Usable Roll Coverage
| Pattern Repeat | Pattern Interval | Estimated Waste | Usable Area Single Roll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Random Match | 0 inches | 0 percent | 28 to 30 sq ft |
| Straight Match Small | 1 to 6 inches | 10 percent | 25 to 27 sq ft |
| Half Drop Medium | 7 to 12 inches | 15 percent | 23 to 25 sq ft |
| Large Pattern Repeat | 13 to 24 inches | 20 percent | 21 to 23 sq ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a single roll and a double roll?
In North America, wallpaper is priced by the single roll but almost always packaged and sold as a continuous double roll bolt containing approximately 56 square feet of paper.
How much square footage does one roll of wallpaper cover?
A standard single roll contains approximately 28 to 30 square feet of usable coverage after pattern matching and trimming.
Should you deduct windows and doors when calculating wallpaper?
Yes, deduct standard door openings approximately 21 square feet and window openings approximately 15 square feet to avoid purchasing excess rolls.
What is a pattern repeat in wallpaper?
A pattern repeat is the vertical distance between identical elements in a wallpaper design. Matching the pattern across adjacent strips creates paper waste that must be factored in.
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