Compact / Small Coupe (e.g., Mini Cooper)
Mid-size Sedan (e.g., Honda Accord)
Small SUV / Crossover (e.g., RAV4)
Large SUV / Truck (e.g., Tahoe, F-150)
Commercial Van (e.g., Sprinter)
Estimates surface area of the vehicle.
Full Wrap (Entire Exterior)
Partial Wrap (Approx 50%)
Hood & Roof Only (Accents)
Avg: Gloss ($3-5), Chrome/Textured ($8-15).
Standard (Normal curves)
High (Deep recesses, aggressive body kits)
Extreme (Complex bumpers, rivets, mirrors)
Wrapping a vehicle is a cost-effective alternative to a high-quality paint job, offering protection for your original paint and unlimited customization options. However, calculating the exact cost and material requirements involves several variables, from the physical size of the vehicle to the complexity of its curves.
Factors Affecting Wrap Pricing
Vehicle Size: Naturally, a large cargo van requires significantly more vinyl (often 70+ feet) than a compact hatchback (40-50 feet).
Material Type: Standard gloss or matte vinyls (like 3M 1080/2080 or Avery SW900) generally cost between $3.00 and $5.00 per square foot. Specialty finishes like Chrome, Color-Flip (chameleon), or textured Carbon Fiber can cost upwards of $10.00-$15.00 per square foot.
Surface Complexity: A flat box truck is easy to wrap. A sports car with aggressive bumpers, deep recesses, and non-removable door handles requires skilled labor and more time, increasing the installation cost.
How Much Vinyl Do You Need?
Most vinyl wrap is sold in rolls that are 60 inches (5 feet) wide. When calculating material, professionals measure the length of the vehicle and multiply it by 3 (for the two sides and the top/hood/trunk), then add a buffer for bumpers and waste.
The Waste Factor: Never buy the exact amount of vinyl calculated by measuring the panels. You must account for:
Overhang: You need 2-3 inches of extra material on every edge to wrap around and tuck behind panels.
Mistakes: Even pros make mistakes. If you crease a panel beyond repair, you need enough extra material to redo it.
Directional Films: Some vinyls must be applied in a specific direction. You cannot rotate scraps to fit other areas.
For a standard DIY project, we recommend a 20% to 30% safety margin to ensure you don't run out of material mid-project.
function calculateWrap() {
// 1. Get Inputs
var vehicleType = document.getElementById('vehicleType').value;
var coverage = parseFloat(document.getElementById('coverageType').value);
var materialPricePerSqFt = parseFloat(document.getElementById('materialCost').value);
var laborRatePerHour = parseFloat(document.getElementById('installRate').value);
var complexityMultiplier = parseFloat(document.getElementById('complexity').value);
var wasteFactor = parseFloat(document.getElementById('wasteFactor').value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(materialPricePerSqFt) || isNaN(laborRatePerHour)) {
alert("Please enter valid numbers for material cost and labor rate.");
return;
}
// 2. Define Base Surface Area (Approx Sq Ft for Full Wrap)
// These are estimates for the total painted surface area to be wrapped
var baseSqFt = 0;
var baseLaborHours = 0;
switch (vehicleType) {
case 'compact':
baseSqFt = 200; // ~40ft roll x 5ft width
baseLaborHours = 12;
break;
case 'sedan':
baseSqFt = 250; // ~50ft roll x 5ft width
baseLaborHours = 16;
break;
case 'suv_small':
baseSqFt = 290; // ~58ft roll x 5ft width
baseLaborHours = 20;
break;
case 'suv_large':
baseSqFt = 350; // ~70ft roll x 5ft width
baseLaborHours = 24;
break;
case 'van':
baseSqFt = 400; // ~80ft roll x 5ft width
baseLaborHours = 30;
break;
default:
baseSqFt = 250;
baseLaborHours = 16;
}
// 3. Apply Coverage Logic
var activeSqFt = baseSqFt * coverage;
// 4. Calculate Material Needs
// Apply waste factor to the active surface area
var totalSqFtNeeded = activeSqFt * wasteFactor;
// Calculate Linear Feet (Standard roll width is 5ft or 60 inches)
var linearFeetNeeded = totalSqFtNeeded / 5;
// 5. Calculate Material Cost
var totalMaterialCost = totalSqFtNeeded * materialPricePerSqFt;
// 6. Calculate Labor Cost
// Labor hours affected by vehicle size (base), coverage %, and complexity
var estimatedHours = (baseLaborHours * coverage) * complexityMultiplier;
var totalLaborCost = estimatedHours * laborRatePerHour;
// 7. Total
var grandTotal = totalMaterialCost + totalLaborCost;
// 8. Display Results
document.getElementById('vinylLength').innerText = Math.ceil(linearFeetNeeded) + " ft (of 60\" roll)";
document.getElementById('surfaceArea').innerText = Math.ceil(totalSqFtNeeded) + " sq ft";
document.getElementById('laborTime').innerText = estimatedHours.toFixed(1) + " hours";
document.getElementById('resMatCost').innerText = "$" + totalMaterialCost.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resLaborCost').innerText = "$" + totalLaborCost.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('totalCost').innerText = "$" + grandTotal.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
// Show results container
document.getElementById('results').style.display = "block";
}