Wallpaper roll sizes: single, double and European rolls
Wallpaper roll sizes are confusing because the US prices by the single roll but sells double rolls, while European papers come in one roll size of about 53 cm × 10 m. This chart lists the common sizes, their area, and the number that actually matters: how many full-height strips each roll gives on your walls.
Roll sizes
| Roll | Size | Area | Metric area |
|---|---|---|---|
| US double roll | 20.5 in × 33 ft | 56.4 sq ft | 5.24 m² |
| US single roll | 20.5 in × 16.5 ft | 28.2 sq ft | 2.62 m² |
| 27 in roll | 27 in × 27 ft | 60.7 sq ft | 5.64 m² |
| European roll | 0.53 × 10.05 m | 57.3 sq ft | 5.33 m² |
Those areas are what a roll holds, not what it covers. Every strip is trimmed at the ceiling and baseboard, patterned papers lose some length to matching, and the end of each roll is usually too short for a full strip. A double roll’s 56 sq ft typically papers 40–45 sq ft of wall. See how many square feet in a roll of wallpaper.
Full strips per roll, by wall height
| Wall height | US double roll (33 ft) | US single roll (16.5 ft) | Wide roll (27 ft) | European roll (10.05 m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 ft | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 8 ft | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 9 ft | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 10 ft | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
At 8 ft walls, every common roll gives 3 full strips (a single roll gives 1). At 9 ft, a double roll and a European roll still give 3, with less left over, but a 27 ft wide roll drops to 2. At 10 ft the double roll gives 3 only just, and a big pattern repeat can push it to 2.
Single roll vs double roll
- Single roll: a unit of about 28 sq ft that US wallpaper is often priced in.
- Double roll: two single rolls’ worth on one roll, about 56 sq ft, and how most US paper is actually packaged. Longer rolls waste less, because there is one end offcut instead of two.
- Order in the unit the store sells. If the price is “per single roll, sold in double rolls”, a count of 8 double rolls is 16 single rolls on the price tag.
- European rolls are close to a US double roll in area (about 57 sq ft) but narrower and slightly shorter; count strips for the roll you are buying.
Worked examples
- How many rolls of wallpaper for one wall: a 12 ft accent wall takes 8 strips, 3 double rolls.
- How many rolls of wallpaper for a 10x10 room: 19 strips, 7 double rolls.
- How many rolls of wallpaper for a 12x12 room: 23 strips, 8 double rolls.
Wallpaper is not always the cheaper accent. Paint for the same 12 ft accent wall is about three quarts: how much paint for an accent wall.
Pattern repeat and match
- Random match (plain papers, grasscloth, stripes): no waste for matching.
- Straight match: the pattern lines up across strips at the same height. Each strip is cut one full repeat longer than the wall so it can be lined up with its neighbour.
- Half-drop match: the pattern steps down half a repeat on every other strip, so allow one and a half repeats per strip. On a 9 ft wall a 21 in half-drop repeat makes each cut about 144 in, two strips per 33 ft roll.
- Graham & Brown’s own guidance is to measure height × width, subtract doors and windows, and then allow extra for the pattern repeat and trimming. Counting strips does the same thing more precisely.
Buying tips
- Buy all rolls with the same batch or lot number; color can vary slightly between print runs.
- Buy one spare roll for mistakes and future repairs.
- Prime the wall with a wallpaper primer so the paper slides into place and can be stripped later without damaging the drywall face.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a roll of wallpaper?
A US double roll is typically 20.5 in × 33 ft (about 56 sq ft); a single roll half that length; a European roll about 0.53 × 10.05 m (about 5.3 m²).
How many strips do you get from a roll of wallpaper?
Three full strips from a 33 ft double roll or a European roll on 8 ft walls, allowing 4 in for trimming and no pattern repeat.
Sources
- Graham & Brown, How do I know how much wallpaper I need? (opens in a new tab) — Measure height × width, subtract doors and windows, and allow extra for pattern repeat and trimming.
- Selected Wallpapers, European rolls vs double rolls (opens in a new tab) — European roll about 53 cm × 10 m (about 57 sq ft); US double rolls typically 20.5–27 in wide and 27–33 ft long.