Wallpaper Calculator
How many rolls, strips, and yards you need. Handles pattern repeat and every common roll width.
Common wallpaper roll sizes
| Type | Width | Length | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| US single roll | 20.5 in | 16.5 ft | about 28 sq ft |
| US double roll | 20.5 in | 33 ft | about 56 sq ft |
| US wide single | 27 in | 13.5 ft | about 30 sq ft |
| US wide double | 27 in | 27 ft | about 60 sq ft |
| European bolt | 21 in (53 cm) | 36 ft (11 m) | about 56 sq ft |
| Commercial, by the yard | 54 in | sold per yard | 4.5 sq ft per yard |
Why yards matter
Commercial wallcovering is priced and sold by the linear yard, not by the roll. A linear yard is 36 inches of length off the bolt at whatever the roll width is. At 54 inches wide, one yard covers 13.5 square feet on paper, but after trimming and pattern match you should plan on closer to 10 to 12. Residential paper is sold as rolls but almost always priced per single roll and packaged as doubles, so you pay for two singles and get one physical bolt.
Wallpaper estimating FAQ
How many yards of wallpaper do I need?
Multiply the number of strips by the cut length of each strip, then divide by 36 to get linear yards. The cut length is your wall height rounded up to the next full pattern repeat, plus a couple inches of trim at top and bottom.
How wide is a roll of wallpaper?
US residential paper is usually 20.5 inches wide, sometimes 27. European rolls run 21 inches (53 cm). Commercial wallcovering is typically 54 inches wide and sold by the linear yard. Wider rolls mean fewer seams and fewer strips for the same wall.
What is the difference between a single roll and a double roll?
Wallpaper is priced per single roll but almost always packaged as a double, meaning two singles on one continuous bolt. You order in doubles and pay double the single roll price. The continuous bolt means less waste because you can usually get one more full strip out of it.
How much does one strip of wallpaper cover?
A strip is one floor to ceiling drop at the roll width. A 20.5 inch wide strip on a 9 foot wall covers about 15 square feet of wall. Divide the wall width by the roll width to get how many strips you need.
How do I account for pattern repeat?
Round your wall height up to the next full multiple of the repeat. A 108 inch wall with an 18 inch repeat needs 108 inch cuts, which works out even. A 100 inch wall with an 18 inch repeat needs 108 inch cuts, so you waste 8 inches per strip. Half drop matches use half the stated repeat for this math.
Should I deduct windows and doors?
Only for large openings. Most installers paper right past small windows and cut them out, because you still need a full strip length at that position. Deduct only if the opening is bigger than about 20 square feet.
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