Wallpaper Square Footage Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate the total square footage of wallpaper you'll need for your room, accounting for walls, and optionally, subtracting for doors and windows, plus a waste factor.
Optional: Subtract for Openings
Understanding Wallpaper Square Footage for Your Project
Calculating the correct amount of wallpaper needed for a room is a crucial step in any home renovation project. Underestimating can lead to delays and mismatched batches, while overestimating wastes money and materials. Our Wallpaper Square Footage Calculator simplifies this process, helping you get an accurate estimate.
Why Accurate Measurement Matters
Wallpaper is often sold in rolls, and each roll covers a specific square footage. Knowing your total wall area ensures you purchase enough rolls without excessive waste. Factors like pattern repeat, cutting errors, and unexpected damage during installation necessitate a little extra, which is why a "waste factor" is so important.
How to Measure Your Room for Wallpaper
- Measure Room Length and Width: Use a tape measure to find the length and width of your room in feet. Measure at the longest points.
- Measure Room Height: Measure from the floor to the ceiling. If your ceiling height varies, use the average or the highest point to be safe.
- Account for Doors and Windows: While some prefer to wallpaper over these areas and trim later, subtracting their area provides a more precise net wall area. Measure the width and height of each door and window.
- Consider a Waste Factor: It's standard practice to add an extra 10-20% to your total square footage for waste. This accounts for pattern matching, trimming, mistakes, and future repairs. Our calculator defaults to 15%, but you can adjust it.
How Our Calculator Works
Our calculator uses a straightforward method to determine the required square footage:
- It first calculates the total perimeter of your room (2 * (Length + Width)).
- Then, it multiplies the perimeter by the room height to get the total wall area.
- Next, it calculates the total area of all doors and windows you specify and subtracts this from the total wall area to get the 'net' area to be covered.
- Finally, it applies your chosen waste factor percentage to this net area, giving you the final estimated square footage of wallpaper you should purchase.
Example Calculation
Let's say you have a room with the following dimensions:
- Length: 12 feet
- Width: 10 feet
- Height: 8 feet
- 1 Door: 2.5 feet wide x 6.8 feet high
- 2 Windows: 3 feet wide x 4 feet high each
- Waste Factor: 15%
Here's how the calculator processes this:
- Wall Perimeter: 2 * (12 ft + 10 ft) = 2 * 22 ft = 44 ft
- Total Wall Area: 44 ft * 8 ft = 352 sq ft
- Door Area: 1 * (2.5 ft * 6.8 ft) = 17 sq ft
- Window Area: 2 * (3 ft * 4 ft) = 2 * 12 sq ft = 24 sq ft
- Net Wall Area: 352 sq ft – 17 sq ft – 24 sq ft = 311 sq ft
- Wallpaper Needed (with waste): 311 sq ft * (1 + 15/100) = 311 sq ft * 1.15 = 357.65 sq ft
Based on these inputs, you would need approximately 357.65 square feet of wallpaper.
Tips for Purchasing Wallpaper
- Check Roll Coverage: Always check the square footage covered by a single roll of your chosen wallpaper. Rolls vary significantly in size.
- Pattern Repeat: If your wallpaper has a large pattern repeat, you might need a slightly higher waste factor than usual to ensure patterns align correctly.
- Batch Numbers: When buying multiple rolls, ensure they all have the same dye lot or batch number to avoid subtle color variations.
- Buy a Little Extra: Even with a waste factor, it's often wise to buy one extra roll if your budget allows, especially for unique or discontinued patterns. This provides a buffer for future repairs or unexpected issues.
By using this calculator and following these tips, you can approach your wallpapering project with confidence and precision.