Wallpaper Calculator
Work out how many rolls of wallpaper a room needs, pattern repeat included.
What you'll need to order
- wallpaper rolls
- wallpaper paste
- seam roller
- smoothing brush
- primer
Prices vary by region and haul distance. Get quotes from at least two local suppliers.
How this calculator works
rolls = wall area × (1 + waste ÷ 100) ÷ coverage per roll
Pattern repeat drives waste more than anything else. Each strip must start at the same point in the pattern, so a 20 inch repeat can waste nearly two feet at the top of every drop.
Worked example
With room length 14 ft, room width 12 ft, wall height 8 ft, coverage per roll 28 sq ft, pattern repeat 0 in, this calculator returns 15.44 rolls.
Wallpaper rolls by pattern repeat
Figures below assume room length 14 ft × room width 12 ft × wall height 8 ft × coverage per roll 28 sq ft. Change any measurement in the calculator to get your own numbers.
| Pattern repeat | Rolls needed (rolls) | Waste allowance applied |
|---|---|---|
| 0 in | 15.44 | 15.00 |
| 6 in | 16.25 | 21.00 |
| 12 in | 17.05 | 27.00 |
| 18 in | 17.86 | 33.00 |
| 24 in | 18.67 | 39.00 |
| 36 in | 19.47 | 45.00 |
A 14 by 12 ft room with 8 ft ceilings. Waste rises with the repeat because every drop must be aligned to the pattern before cutting.
How much wallpaper for a room or feature wall?
| Job | Size | Rolls needed | Material cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feature wall, 14 ft | 14 ft × 1 ft × 8 ft × 28 sq ft × 12 in | 9.07 rolls | $318 – $1,361 |
| Small bathroom | 8 ft × 6 ft × 8 ft × 28 sq ft × 0 in | 7.56 rolls | $265 – $1,134 |
| Bedroom, plain paper | 12 ft × 11 ft × 8 ft × 28 sq ft × 0 in | 13.47 rolls | $472 – $2,021 |
| Bedroom, large repeat | 12 ft × 11 ft × 8 ft × 28 sq ft × 24 in | 16.28 rolls | $570 – $2,442 |
| Hallway, high ceiling | 20 ft × 4 ft × 10 ft × 28 sq ft × 12 in | 19.96 rolls | $699 – $2,994 |
A 24 inch repeat can add a quarter again to the order compared with a plain paper covering the same wall. Check the repeat before budgeting.
Cost range uses $35–$150 per roll for material only.
What does wallpaper cost per roll?
Material typically runs $35 to $150 per roll. Material only. Professional hanging adds $40 to $90 per roll, more for grasscloth, murals or anything that must be book-matched.
What moves the price:
- Type — vinyl at the bottom, grasscloth and hand-printed papers at the top
- Pattern repeat, which raises the number of rolls rather than the unit price
- Whether the paper is prepasted or needs separate adhesive
- Wall preparation: wallpaper shows every defect underneath it
Prices are US averages and move with fuel, season and haul distance. Always get two local quotes before budgeting.
Wallpaper types compared
| Type | Typical roll coverage (sq ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl, American double roll | 56.00 | Sold as one roll, covers two |
| Vinyl, European roll | 28.00 | The figure used here by default |
| Non-woven | 30.00 | Paste-the-wall, easiest to hang and strip |
| Grasscloth | 24.00 | Natural fibre; seams always show |
| Peel and stick | 28.00 | Renter-friendly, poor on textured walls |
Confirm the coverage printed on your roll before ordering. American rolls are sold as doubles and cover roughly twice the European figure, which is the single most common source of over- or under-ordering.
Frequently asked questions
How many rolls of wallpaper for a 12x12 room?
About 15 European rolls of 28 sq ft with a plain paper and 8 ft ceilings, or 8 American double rolls. Add roughly 20% more for a 24 inch pattern repeat.
How much extra wallpaper should I order?
Fifteen percent minimum on a plain paper, and up to 45% on a large repeat. Order every roll from the same batch number — colours drift visibly between production runs.
Do I need to prime walls before wallpapering?
Yes, with a wallpaper primer. It gives the adhesive something to grip, stops the wall absorbing paste unevenly, and makes the paper strippable years later without destroying the drywall.
How many rolls of wallpaper do I need?
Divide wall area by roll coverage and add waste. A 12 by 14 room with 8 ft walls needs about 15 single rolls of plain paper, or 8 double rolls.
What is the difference between a single and double roll?
In the US, wallpaper is priced by single roll but almost always packaged and sold as a double. A single covers roughly 28 sq ft, a double 56. Ordering "four rolls" can mean either — confirm which.
How does pattern repeat affect how much I need?
Substantially. Every strip must begin at the same point in the pattern, so the offcut at the top of each drop is wasted. A 20 inch repeat can push waste from 15% to 35%.
Should I order all wallpaper from the same batch?
Always. Batch or dye-lot numbers are printed on each roll, and shade varies noticeably between runs. Order the whole job at once and check every roll carries the same batch number.