How to Calculate Wallpaper Rolls

Standard UK Wallpaper Roll

Most wallpaper in the UK comes in a standard size:

• Length: 10.05 metres (some European rolls are 10m exactly)
• Width: 0.53 metres (53cm)
• Coverage: 5.33 m² per roll (before pattern wastage)

Step-by-Step Calculation

1. Measure Room Perimeter

Add up the length of all walls you're papering. For a rectangular room: (length + width) × 2.

Example: 4m + 3m + 4m + 3m = 14m perimeter

2. Subtract Doors and Windows

Standard door opening = ~0.9m wide. Large window = ~1.5m. Subtract these from perimeter.

Example: 14m - 0.9m (door) - 1.5m (window) = 11.6m

3. Calculate Number of Drops

Divide adjusted perimeter by roll width (0.53m).

Example: 11.6m ÷ 0.53m = 21.9 → round to 22 drops

4. Calculate Drops Per Roll

Divide roll length (10.05m) by your wall height.

Example wall height 2.4m: 10.05m ÷ 2.4m = 4.18 → get 4 full drops per roll

5. Calculate Rolls Needed

Divide total drops by drops per roll.

Example: 22 drops ÷ 4 drops per roll = 5.5 → buy 6 rolls

Pattern Repeat

Patterned wallpaper has a repeat distance (printed on the label, e.g. "64cm repeat"). You must match the pattern across adjacent strips, which creates wastage.

How Pattern Repeat Affects Calculation

With a 64cm (0.64m) repeat and 2.4m wall height:

• First drop starts at top of pattern
• Second drop must align, so you cut at 2.4m + 0.64m = 3.04m from roll
• This means you waste the offcut between 2.4m and 3.04m (0.64m wasted)

For large repeats (50cm+), you may only get 3 full drops per roll instead of 4.

Drop Match vs Straight Match

• Straight match: Pattern lines up horizontally across strips. Less wastage.
• Drop match (offset match): Pattern repeats diagonally. Every other strip is offset. More wastage (buy 1-2 extra rolls).

Wallpaper Calculator Table

Quick reference for standard 2.4m ceiling height, plain paper (no pattern):

Add 1-2 rolls for pattern repeat over 30cm, or complex rooms with chimneys/alcoves.

Special Cases

Feature Wall

Only papering one wall? Measure just that wall's width and height. Calculate drops for that wall only.

Sloped Ceilings

Use the tallest wall height for your calculation. You'll waste more on the shorter side but avoid running short.

Chimney Breasts and Alcoves

Measure each section separately. Chimney breasts often need partial drops, so add an extra roll.

Always Buy Extra

Order at least one extra roll beyond your calculation:

• Batch matching (different batches vary slightly in colour)
• Mistakes during hanging (rips, misaligned patterns)
• Future repairs (discontinued patterns impossible to match)

Most suppliers accept returns of unopened rolls within 30 days.