Wallpaper Planning Guide
Guide on Estimating Wallpaper Quantities
One of the questions we are asked most often is: “How many rolls of wallpaper do I need?” Whether you’re creating a statement feature wall or papering an entire room, a quick estimate before you order can save time, cost and frustration.
This guide explains the basics of measuring for wallpaper and using roll sizes to estimate quantities. It is designed as a practical starting point only. Because every room and decorator is different, we always recommend checking your figures with a professional paper hanger. TM Interiors cannot accept responsibility for errors based on this guide alone.
Modern wallcoverings range from standard rolls to extra-wide and by-the-metre products from luxury houses such as Elitis and Arte. You’ll also find wide-width wallpapers, mural wallpapers and textile wallcoverings, so always check the product specification before you calculate.
Estimating Wallpaper for Standard Rolls
The traditional UK “standard roll” is approximately 10.05m long and 52cm wide. Many wallpapers still follow this format, and the charts on this page are based on these dimensions.
As a rule of thumb, it is safer to include windows and doors in your measurements when you are using an estimating chart. Any apparent “extra” will soon be used in trimming and pattern matching.
Once you have the wall height and the total length of wall (the perimeter of the room):
- Look down the height column of the chart.
- Read across to the nearest perimeter measurement.
- The table gives an approximate number of standard rolls required.
Remember this is a guide only. Pattern repeats, complex room shapes and obstacles will all affect the final figure.
On smaller screens, scroll the table sideways to see all room heights.
| Wall perimeter | Height of room from skirting | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2–2.25m | 2.25–2.5m | 2.5–2.75m | 2.75–3m | 3–3.25m | 3.25–3.5m | 3.5–3.75m | 3.75–4m | |
| 10m | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| 10.5m | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| 11m | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| 11.5m | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| 12m | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 |
| 12.5m | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| 13m | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 13.5m | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 |
| 14m | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
| 14.5m | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 15m | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
| 15.5m | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 16m | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 16.5m | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
| 17m | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 17.5m | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
| 18m | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 18.5m | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 19m | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 19.5m | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 20m | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 20.5m | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 21m | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 21.5m | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 |
| 22m | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 22.5m | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 23m | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 23.5m | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 24m | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 |
| 24.5m | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 25m | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 25.5m | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 |
| 26m | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 26.5m | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 |
| 27m | 13 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 22 |
| 27.5m | 13 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 23 |
| 28m | 13 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 |
| 28.5m | 13 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 |
| 29m | 13 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 24 |
| 29.5m | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 24 |
| 30m | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 24 |
Important: This table is intended as a guide only and is based on a standard roll of approximately 10.05m × 52cm. Pattern repeat, roll dimensions, room shape, trimming and the decorator’s cutting method can all affect the final quantity. We recommend asking the person hanging the wallpaper to confirm the quantity before ordering.
Non-Standard Roll Sizes & Wide-Width Wallpapers
Many designer and luxury wallpapers are supplied on non-standard roll sizes or as wide-width wallpapers. In these cases you will need to calculate your quantities manually.
With more expensive wallcoverings, decorators often exclude doors and windows from their initial measurements, then allow separately for the shorter lengths needed above doors and below windows.
Step-by-step method for non-standard rolls
- Measure wall height from skirting to ceiling. Add a little extra (for example 5–10cm) to allow for trimming and any small variations in ceiling level. This is your drop length.
- Divide the roll length by the drop length to see how many full drops you can cut from one roll.
- Measure around the room, subtracting large openings if your decorator prefers, to find the total length of wall.
- Divide the total wall length by the roll width to calculate how many drops you need in total, then round up to the next whole number.
- Divide the number of required drops by the number of drops per roll to get an estimated number of rolls. Again, round up.
- Add at least one extra drop (or an extra roll for complex rooms) to allow for pattern matching, waste and any on-site issues.
Estimating Wallpaper for Ceilings
Wallpapered ceilings can look spectacular, but they do require careful measuring. The basic principle is:
- Measure the length of the room to find the length of a single strip across the ceiling.
- Divide the width of the room by the roll width to see how many strips you will need.
- Multiply strips × strip length, then divide by the roll length to estimate how many rolls are required.
Our ceiling chart below provides a quick reference for typical UK standard roll sizes.
| Measurement around room | Approx. rolls required |
|---|---|
| 11m | 2 |
| 12m | 2 |
| 13m | 3 |
| 14m | 3 |
| 15m | 4 |
| 16m | 4 |
| 17m | 4 |
| 18m | 5 |
| 19m | 5 |
| 20m | 5 |
| 21m | 6 |
| 22m | 7 |
| 23m | 7 |
| 24m | 8 |
| 25m | 8 |
| 26m | 9 |
| 27m | 10 |
| 28m | 10 |
| 29m | 11 |
| 30m | 11 |
Important: Use this ceiling table as a guide only. Pattern repeat, roll dimensions, ceiling shape and the installer’s cutting method can alter the final quantity. Please ask a professional decorator to confirm the amount required before ordering.
Wallcoverings Sold by the Metre
Some high-end wallcoverings, such as those from Elitis or Arte, are sold by the metre rather than as pre-cut rolls. Estimating these correctly is important, as they are often more expensive and may have a larger pattern repeat.
Worked example
Imagine:
- Your wall is 4.2m wide.
- The wallpaper is 90cm wide.
- Your wall height, including a small allowance, is 2.4m.
- Divide the wall width by the wallpaper width: 4.2 ÷ 0.9 = 4.66 → round up to 5 drops.
- Multiply drops by wall height: 5 × 2.4m = 12m of wallcovering required.
If there is a large pattern repeat, your decorator may recommend more. Because every installer works slightly differently, and because by-the-metre wallcoverings represent a bigger investment, we strongly recommend asking your professional decorator to confirm the quantity before ordering.
Batch Numbers & Shade Variation
Once you’ve calculated how many rolls or metres you need, it is important to check the batch number when your wallpaper arrives. Rolls printed in the same batch should match closely in colour and finish.
- Always check the batch or lot number on the roll label.
- Before hanging, unroll a short length from each roll and place them side by side.
- If you spot obvious colour variation, speak to us before you start cutting or hanging the paper.
Next Steps & Related Wallpaper Guides
Quantity is only one part of planning a successful wallpaper project. You may also find these guides helpful:
If you are unsure, our team can help you sense-check quantities for designer wallpapers, wide-width designs and by-the-metre wallcoverings, and can recommend experienced decorators in many areas.
Check the quantity before you order
Browse wallpaper, order samples and ask us for advice if you need help sense-checking a quantity for a specialist wallcovering.
