Wallpaper Calculator
Calculate how many rolls of wallpaper you need — with the pattern repeat properly accounted for. Works for US double rolls and metric rolls, walls or whole rooms.
Sum of all walls being papered
Printed on the roll label
—
Enter a price per roll to estimate cost.
You might also need:Paint Calculator·Drywall Calculator
How professionals count wallpaper
strips per roll = floor(roll length ÷ cut length) · rolls = strips ÷ strips per roll
Strip counting beats square-foot math because it mirrors how paper is actually cut: each strip needs trim at top and bottom plus up to one pattern repeat to match its neighbor. A 12-foot wall in metric rolls is 8 strips; at 8-foot ceilings with a 12-inch repeat each roll yields 3 strips → 3 rolls.
Rolls needed by wall size (metric roll, ≤12″ repeat, 8 ft ceiling)
| Wall width | Strips | Rolls |
|---|---|---|
| 6 ft (small accent) | 4 | 2 |
| 12 ft (accent wall) | 8 | 3 |
| 24 ft (two walls) | 15 | 5 |
| 48 ft (whole room) | 29 | 10 |
Hanging tips
- Start in the least visible corner — the final seam almost never pattern-matches.
- Plumb line first: walls aren't straight; hang the first strip to a level line, not the corner.
- Peel-and-stick vs traditional: same math applies — peel-and-stick just forgives repositioning.
- Painting the other walls? Head to the paint calculator; fresh drywall math is in the drywall calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a roll of wallpaper cover?+
An American double roll (27 inches × 27 feet) covers about 57 usable square feet after trimming; a European/metric roll (20.5 inches × 33 feet) covers about 48 square feet. Pattern repeat reduces usable coverage further — that is why this calculator asks for it.
What is pattern repeat and why does it matter?+
Pattern repeat is the vertical distance before the design repeats. Every strip must start at a matching point, so you waste up to one repeat per strip. A 24-inch repeat can cost you 15–25% extra paper versus a plain paper — never skip it in your math.
How many rolls do I need for one accent wall?+
A typical 12 × 8 ft accent wall needs 5–6 strips. With a standard 20.5-inch metric roll at 33 ft you get 3 strips per roll (8 ft walls, small repeat) — so 2 rolls, or 3 with a large pattern repeat. Always round up; dye lots vary.
Do I subtract windows and doors when calculating wallpaper?+
Only subtract very large openings. Strips still run full height beside and above openings, and the offcuts are rarely reusable because of pattern matching. Standard practice: ignore normal doors and windows and keep the safety margin.
Should I order all rolls at once?+
Yes — wallpaper is printed in batches ("dye lots") and colors shift subtly between lots. Order every roll plus one spare from the same lot number; a mismatched replacement roll on the same wall is obvious.