Advanced Calculators
Wallpaper Calculator - Calculate Rolls & Cost
Calculate wallpaper rolls needed for any room. Accounts for pattern repeat, doors, windows, and waste. Get accurate estimates with detailed coverage breakdown and cost analysis.
Use Wallpaper Calculator - Calculate Rolls & Cost to get instant results without uploads or sign-ups. Everything runs securely in your browser for fast, reliable output.
Your results will appear here.
About this tool
Our Wallpaper Calculator is the most comprehensive free tool for estimating wallpaper needs for any room. Unlike simple calculators that ignore critical factors, ours accounts for pattern repeats (the vertical distance before a pattern duplicates), doors and windows that reduce coverage area, and the industry-standard 10-15% waste factor. Wallpaper rolls come in various sizes - the most common being 21 inches wide by 33 feet long (56 square feet), but European rolls, commercial rolls, and specialty papers vary. The calculator works with any roll size, making it perfect for residential and commercial projects.
Pattern repeat is crucial for accurate estimates. A pattern repeat is the vertical distance before the design repeats itself. Small patterns (0-6 inches) require minimal waste, while large repeats (12-24 inches) can waste 20-30% of each roll as you align patterns across strips. Our calculator factors this in using the industry-standard formula: divide wall height by (roll length minus pattern repeat) to get usable strips per roll. This ensures you order enough rolls to complete your project without visible pattern mismatches.
The calculator handles complex room layouts by accounting for doors and windows. Standard doors (approximately 21 square feet) and windows (approximately 15 square feet) are subtracted from total wall area. However, professional paperhangers often ignore small windows and include them in the total area as a safety buffer - our calculator lets you adjust for your preference. We also recommend ordering one extra roll for repairs, matching, and future touch-ups, as dye lots can vary between production runs.
All calculations follow professional wallpaper hanging standards used by interior designers and installers. The tool helps you compare costs between different wallpaper options and plan your budget accurately. It's completely free, requires no registration, and works entirely in your browser. Perfect for DIY homeowners, interior designers, contractors, and anyone planning a wallpapering project who needs accurate material estimates.
Usage examples
Living Room - No Pattern
15ft × 12ft room, 8ft ceiling, 2 doors, 2 windows
Rolls needed: 9-10, Coverage: ~432 sq ft, Pattern waste: Minimal
Bedroom - Small Pattern
12ft × 14ft room, 9ft ceiling, 6" repeat, 1 door, 2 windows
Rolls needed: 11-12, Coverage: ~468 sq ft, Pattern waste: ~8%
Accent Wall - Large Pattern
14ft wide × 8ft high, 24" repeat, no obstructions
Rolls needed: 3-4, Coverage: 112 sq ft, Pattern waste: ~25%
Hallway
30ft × 4ft × 8ft ceiling, 3 doors, straight match
Rolls needed: 8-9, Coverage: ~960 sq ft, Minimal doors
How to use
- Enter room dimensions: length, width, and ceiling height
- Specify the number of doors and windows to subtract
- Enter wallpaper roll dimensions (width and length)
- Input pattern repeat size (0 for no pattern)
- Enter price per roll for cost estimation
- View instant results with rolls needed and total cost
Benefits
- Accurate roll calculations for any room size
- Accounts for pattern repeat and match type
- Subtracts doors and windows from coverage area
- Built-in waste factor (10-15%) for realistic estimates
- Works with any wallpaper roll size
- Cost estimation per roll
- Instant calculations as you adjust dimensions
- Includes extra roll recommendation for repairs
- Mobile-friendly for in-store shopping
- No registration required - completely free
- Based on professional paperhanger standards
- Detailed breakdown of coverage and waste
FAQs
How much wallpaper do I need for one wall?
Measure wall width and height in feet. Multiply to get square footage. For standard rolls (56 sq ft), divide wall area by 50 (allowing for waste and pattern repeat). For example, a 12ft × 8ft wall (96 sq ft) needs about 2 rolls. Always add 10-15% extra for pattern matching and waste.
What is pattern repeat and why does it matter?
Pattern repeat is the vertical distance before a wallpaper pattern repeats itself. It matters because you must align patterns across adjacent strips, which creates waste. A 24-inch repeat on a 9-foot wall means only 2 full patterns per strip, wasting up to 2 feet per strip. Larger repeats need more rolls - sometimes 20-30% more than solid or small-pattern papers.
Should I subtract doors and windows?
Professional installers often don't subtract windows under 15 square feet as a safety margin for waste and mistakes. Always subtract standard doors (about 21 sq ft each). For large windows or patio doors, subtract half their area as a compromise. It's better to have extra wallpaper than run short mid-project, as dye lots vary.
How much extra wallpaper should I order?
Order 10-15% extra beyond the calculated amount for waste, pattern matching, and mistakes. For papers with large repeats (over 12 inches), order 20% extra. Always order at least one additional roll for future repairs, as you cannot match dye lots later. Keep leftover rolls stored flat in a cool, dry place for repairs.
What are standard wallpaper roll sizes?
North American standard rolls are 20.5-21 inches wide by 33 feet long (approximately 56 square feet). European rolls are often 21 inches by 11 yards. Commercial wallpaper comes in 27-54 inch widths by 30+ feet. Pre-pasted rolls cover about 50 usable square feet after waste. Always check your specific wallpaper specifications before ordering.
Can I wallpaper a ceiling?
Yes, ceiling wallpaper is calculated the same way as walls: measure length × width to get square footage, divide by roll coverage (typically 50 sq ft usable), and add 15% waste. Ceilings require more waste factor due to difficult overhead pattern matching. Use heavy-duty paste and consider hiring professionals, as ceiling installation is much harder than walls.
Related tools
View all toolsConcrete Calculator - Calculate Concrete Volume & Cost
Calculate concrete volume, bags needed, and total cost for your construction project. Supports slabs, footings, columns, stairs, and circular areas.
Advanced CalculatorsDeck Calculator - Calculate Boards, Joists, Posts & Cost
Calculate complete deck materials including decking boards, joists, beams, posts, footings, and hardware. Get accurate estimates with detailed material breakdown and total cost.
Advanced CalculatorsFence Calculator - Calculate Posts, Panels & Cost
Calculate fence materials including posts, panels, rails, pickets, and total cost. Supports wood, vinyl, chain link, and custom fencing. Get accurate estimates with detailed material breakdown.
Advanced Calculators