Wallpaper Rolls Calculator

How to measure for wallpaper

1. Measure each wall width x height and add them for total wall area.
2. Optionally subtract doors and big windows (many estimates leave them in and rely on waste).
3. Increase waste for patterns, lots of corners, or many small wall sections.
4. If you have a pattern repeat, use the manufacturer guidance for how many strips per roll (it's often more accurate than pure area).
5. Add a trim allowance (2-4 inches) to wall height for each strip before calculating drops.
6. Record your wall height carefully; a small height change can reduce usable drops per roll and add rolls quickly.
7. Count how many strips you need per wall (wall width / roll width, rounded up). Add strips for small returns and inside corners if needed.
8. If you are doing an accent wall only, estimate that wall separately; mixing products or lots for a single wall is a common mismatch issue.

Assumptions to double-check

• This estimates coverage by area; real installs may need extra for pattern matching and trimming.
• Roll sizes vary by brand and region; confirm the label for exact width and length.
• Always round up to whole rolls and keep extra for repairs if you may need to match dye lots later.
• Different papers have different install methods (paste-the-wall vs paste-the-paper); these don't change rolls but do change your prep materials and time.
• Match type (random, straight match, drop match) affects waste; confirm on the label.
• Textured walls or unprimed drywall can cause adhesion problems and wasted paper; wall prep affects success more than the roll count.
• Returns around windows/doors can eat extra repeat length even when the area is small; plan a little extra for those cuts.
• If you will paper over multiple days, you may waste more due to set-up/cleanup and matching—plan a little extra.

Buying tips

• Buy all rolls at once when possible so the dye lot matches.
• If you're using patterned wallpaper, plan a higher waste factor for matching.
• Check whether your product is sold as single vs double rolls and use the correct coverage.
• Budget primer and paste separately and follow the product's recommended system for best adhesion and removability later.
• If you’re close to a whole-roll threshold, round up—one extra roll is cheaper than a mid-project mismatch.
• If your wallpaper is washable or vinyl, make sure your paste and primer match the product recommendations; system compatibility prevents failure.
• Keep the label/lot info and one spare roll for future repairs; matching a discontinued pattern later can be impossible.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Ignoring pattern repeat and relying on pure area coverage.
• Mixing single vs double rolls when comparing products.
• Not checking whether roll length is listed in meters or feet when comparing brands.
• Ordering from multiple dye lots when color consistency matters.
• Not accounting for wall height when the roll length is borderline (you may lose a whole extra strip per roll).
• Underestimating prep: unprimed walls, gloss paint, or textured surfaces can cause adhesion issues and wasted paper.
• Measuring only total area and forgetting strip count and corners—patterned paper is a strip problem first.
• Not buying enough at once, then being forced to mix lots and see a color shift on the wall.