Wallpaper Calculator

Wallpaper Guide

Standard Roll Dimensions

A standard UK wallpaper roll is 10m long and 52cm wide, covering approximately 5m² (minus cutting waste). Wider rolls (70cm, 90cm) exist for some luxury and commercial wallpapers. In the US, double rolls are common (approximately 9.3m² per roll). Always check the specific roll dimensions on your chosen wallpaper as sizes vary. When calculating, always round up to whole rolls.

Pattern Repeats

A large pattern repeat (30cm+) significantly increases waste because each drop must be cut to align the pattern. A 64cm ceiling height drop with a 32cm repeat wastes up to half of each length. When buying: add the pattern repeat to the ceiling height, then calculate how many drops per roll. Large repeat patterns can require 30–40% more wallpaper than plain or small-repeat designs. Free match (no repeat) wastes least; half drop and straight match require extra planning.

Preparation is Everything

Wallpapering over poorly prepared walls is the main reason DIY wallpaper jobs fail. New plaster must be sealed with diluted PVA (1 part PVA, 4 parts water) before hanging. Existing painted walls need to be clean, dry, and without loose or flaking areas. Old wallpaper should ideally be removed — papering over it risks moisture becoming trapped and both layers eventually lifting. Fill and sand any holes. A sizing coat (diluted paste) applied the night before improves slip and workability.

Hanging Tips

Always start from a perfectly plumb (vertical) line — not from a corner or door frame, which may not be truly vertical. Use a spirit level or plumb bob. Paste the wall rather than the paper for ready-pasted and paste-the-wall wallpapers — far easier. For traditional paste-the-paper, book the wallpaper (fold paste to paste without creasing) and let it soak for the time specified by the manufacturer (usually 5–10 minutes). Overlapping is not recommended — butt joins carefully for a seamless finish.