How big is a roll of wallpaper?

US double rolls are about 20.5 in × 33 ft; European rolls 21 in × 33 ft (0.53 × 10.05 m).

What is pattern repeat?

The vertical distance before the pattern repeats; you lose paper matching it.

Yes, one roll from the same batch for repairs.

Vinyl or non-woven wallpaper?

Non-woven is paste-the-wall and strips dry; vinyl is more washable.

Straight or drop match?

Straight matches at the same height; drop match is offset by half a repeat.

Can I wallpaper over textured walls?

Skim them smooth first or the texture will show.

Wallpaper calculator

Wall perimeter and height, openings, roll size and pattern repeat: you get drops needed, drops per roll and rolls to buy.

Purchase quantity

9 roll

Net measurement: 32 m²

Wallpaper rolls9 roll
Drops (strips) needed25 unit
Drops per roll3 unit
Wallpaper paste (1 pack per 5 rolls)2 bundle

Use my prices

Your prices per language/currency. Used when you enable “Use my prices” in calculators. My prices →

Calculate labour, margin & GST

How it's calculated (visible formula)

drop = height + repeat + 4 in; drops per roll = ⌊roll length ÷ drop⌋; drops = ceil((perimeter − openings ÷ height) ÷ width); rolls = ceil(drops ÷ drops per roll)

Net geometric measurement, no waste.
Adjustable waste % for cuts and breakage.
Purchase rounded up to sellable units (boxes, bags, buckets, boards).

See methodology and formula versions

How to calculate it, step by step

Measure wall perimeter and height.
Subtract door and window openings.
Check roll width, length and pattern repeat on the label.
Work out drops needed and drops per roll.
Divide and round up to rolls from one batch.

Worked example: 46 ft of wall, 8.2 ft high, 32 sq ft openings, 21 in × 33 ft rolls

Drop ≈ 8.5 ft → 3 drops per roll
≈ 25 drops
25 ÷ 3 = 8.3

→ 9 rolls and 2 packs of paste.

Common mistakes

Estimating by area without whole drops.
Ignoring pattern repeat.
Buying rolls from different batches.

Pro tips

Prepare smooth, clean walls with wallpaper primer.
Plumb a line for the first drop — walls aren't plumb.
Start in the least visible corner.
Wipe off excess paste with a damp sponge right away.

From calculation to quote

Add labour, overhead and your margin, and generate the professional PDF.

Create quote Calculate margin & GST

FAQs

How big is a roll of wallpaper?: US double rolls are about 20.5 in × 33 ft; European rolls 21 in × 33 ft (0.53 × 10.05 m).
What is pattern repeat?: The vertical distance before the pattern repeats; you lose paper matching it.
Should I buy extra?: Yes, one roll from the same batch for repairs.
Vinyl or non-woven wallpaper?: Non-woven is paste-the-wall and strips dry; vinyl is more washable.
Straight or drop match?: Straight matches at the same height; drop match is offset by half a repeat.
Can I wallpaper over textured walls?: Skim them smooth first or the texture will show.

Sources and standards

Maintained by Srikanta M · Formula v1.0.0 · Verified 2026-09-10 · Updated 2026-09-10 · Limits: quantity estimation, not structural design or site supervision.