How many square feet in a roll of wallpaper?
A standard US double roll of wallpaper, 20.5 in × 33 ft, is 56.4 square feet. A single roll is half that, about 28.2 square feet, and a European roll (0.53 × 10.05 m) is about 57.3 square feet.
Roll size to square feet, and what it covers
- Roll: 20.5 in × 33 ft = 56.4 sq ft
- Wall 12 ft = 12 ft ÷ 20.5 in roll width = 8 strips
- Strip: 8 ft + 4 in trim = 8.33 ft
- 33 ft roll ÷ 8.33 ft = 3 strips per roll → 8 strips ÷ 3 = 2.67 → 3 rolls
A roll’s area is just width × length, but it is not the area it covers. Every strip is trimmed top and bottom and cut to match the pattern, and the end of each roll is usually too short for a full strip. That is why wallpaper is counted in strips.
Adjust for your project
More options: Trim
- Full-height strips
- 8 strips
- Strips per roll
- 3
- Wall area papered
- 96 sq ft
- Area of one roll
- 56.4 sq ft
- Each roll gives 3 full strips of 8.33 ft; the offcut of about 8 ft per roll covers the short pieces over doors and under windows.
- Buy all rolls with the same batch (lot) number, and one spare: a later batch can differ slightly in color.
Rolls by wall height (same room and roll)
| Wall height | Strips per roll | Full-height strips | Rolls to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 ft | 4 | 8 strips | 2 rolls |
| 8 ft | 3 | 8 strips | 3 rolls |
| 9 ft | 3 | 8 strips | 3 rolls |
| 10 ft | 3 | 8 strips | 3 rolls |
Roll sizes and what they actually cover
- US double roll, 20.5 in × 33 ft: 56.4 sq ft. On 8 ft walls it gives 3 full strips, about 41 sq ft of wall, plus an 8 ft offcut for short pieces.
- US single roll, 20.5 in × 16.5 ft: 28.2 sq ft. Often the unit on the price tag, but usually sold in pairs as a double roll.
- European roll, 0.53 × 10.05 m: 5.33 m², about 57.3 sq ft. Three strips at a 2.44 m (8 ft) wall height.
- Wide rolls, 27 in × 27 ft: about 60.8 sq ft. Three strips at 8 ft.
Pattern repeat is the big variable. Each strip is cut one full repeat longer so the pattern can be lined up: with a 21 in repeat, an 8 ft strip is 121 in, still 3 per double roll, but a 9 ft strip is 133 in and only 2 fit. Drop matches need half a repeat extra on alternate strips. The strip count in the calculator handles all of this; the label’s square footage doesn’t.
Put to work: how many rolls of wallpaper for one wall and how many rolls of wallpaper for a 12x12 room. The roll size chart is in wallpaper roll sizes.
Different size? Use the full Wallpaper Calculator (Rolls Needed).
What you’ll need
- Wallpaper hanging kitBudget price
A smoother, seam roller, trim guide and sharp knife: the four tools that decide whether seams disappear.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - 25 ft tape measureBudget price
Measuring rooms, openings and sheets. A wide, stiff blade reaches across a ceiling without buckling.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Snap-off utility knife and bladesBudget price
Wallpaper and drywall both reward a fresh blade. Snap often.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to products are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra and help keep these calculators free.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet in a European roll of wallpaper?
About 57.3 square feet (0.53 × 10.05 m).
How many square feet in a 27 inch roll of wallpaper?
A 27 in × 27 ft roll is about 60.8 square feet.
Other common sizes
- How many rolls of wallpaper for a 12x12 room — 8 rolls (double rolls, 23 strips)
- How many rolls of wallpaper for a 10x10 room — 7 rolls (double rolls, 19 strips)
- How many rolls of wallpaper for one wall — 3 rolls (double rolls, 8 strips)
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.