How to Measure & Order Wallpaper with Confidence
Confidently measure your walls for wallpaper
There is something deeply satisfying about planning a room well.
Wallpaper has the power to completely transform a space — but knowing how much to order can feel overwhelming at first. Between wall heights, panel widths, and pattern repeats, it’s easy to second-guess yourself.
This guide will walk you gently through the process, step by step, so you can measure, calculate, and place your order with clarity and confidence.
At the end, you’ll also find answers to common wallpaper calculation questions.
How Much Wallpaper Do You Really Need?
The goal is simple: measure carefully, round thoughtfully, and allow a little grace for pattern matching.
A few considered calculations now will ensure your installation feels seamless later.
Step One: Measure Your Walls
Height
Measure from floor to ceiling in feet.
You don’t need to include baseboards.
Do include the full height of doors and windows — we always calculate as though the wall is complete.
Guidelines:
Minimum height: 1 ft
Maximum height for standard residential applications: 12 ft
Commercial applications can extend up to 27 ft
Width
Measure the width of each wall in feet and add them together.
You may include one wall or several — simply total them.
At least one wall width is required.
A Thoughtful Tip
Always measure in multiple spots. Homes are rarely perfectly level.
Use the largest height and width measurements to ensure proper coverage.
If you’d like additional peace of mind, add an optional 10% overage to your total.
Understanding Roll Lengths
Wallpaper is produced in standard lengths.
To determine the correct roll length:
Take your wall height.
Round up to the nearest available roll length.
Examples:
Wall height = 8.5 ft → order a 9 ft roll
Wall height = 4 ft → order a 6 ft roll
It’s always better to have a little extra than not enough, especially when aligning a pattern.
Measuring for Wallpaper with a Pattern Repeat
Some designs include a repeat — meaning the pattern aligns at specific intervals.
Straight Repeat
No additional calculation needed.
Half-Drop Repeat (under 24 inches wide)
No additional calculation needed.
Half-Drop Repeat (24 inches wide)
A small adjustment is required:
Divide the vertical repeat measurement in half.
Add that offset to your wall height.
Round up to the nearest roll length.
Example:
Wall height = 6 ft
Vertical repeat = 24 inches
Half repeat (offset) = 12 inches (1 ft)
Adjusted height = 7 ft
Rounded up → 9 ft roll
This ensures the pattern aligns beautifully across panels.
Step Two: Calculate Quantity (Number of Panels)
Once you know your wall height and roll length, determine how many panels are needed to cover the width.
Each wallpaper panel is 24 inches (2 ft) wide.
To calculate:
Add together your total wall widths.
Divide by 2 (since each panel covers 2 ft).
Round up to the nearest whole number.
Example:
Total wall width = 23 ft
23 ÷ 2 = 11.5
Round up → 12 panels
If you are adding a 10% overage, your panel quantity may increase slightly.
A Gentle Reminder
Wallpaper installation is a craft.
Even experienced installers allow extra material for trimming, pattern alignment, and subtle wall irregularities.
Ordering thoughtfully now creates ease later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I subtract doors and windows?
No. Always measure the full wall area. This ensures you have enough material for pattern matching and future repairs.
Should I add extra?
If you’re between numbers or working with a bold repeat, adding 10% is a wise and common practice.
What if my walls aren’t perfectly straight?
Most walls aren’t. Measure in multiple spots and use the largest numbers.
Can I order exactly what the calculator suggests?
Yes — but if you’re unsure, adding a little extra provides peace of mind.
