How to calculate the required amount of wallpaper

One of the most popular ways to decorate walls in houses and apartments is wallpaper. This is a relatively simple and understandable option for updating the interior for a person who is not a professional repairman.
We talked about what types of wallpaper there are, how to choose them, and how to prepare the surface before gluing them in separate articles:What types of wallpaper are there and how to choose them.

How to Prepare Walls for WallpaperingHowever, before you start gluing or purchasing materials, there is another important step – calculating the required number of rolls.

In this article, we will describe in detail how to independently calculate the required amount of wallpaper, taking into account the features of the pattern joining and without it. You will learn how to make accurate wallpaper calculations and will be able to confidently begin updating your space.

Methods of calculation

There are different ways to calculate the required amount of wallpaper. Nowadays, it is quite easy to find an online calculator and enter the parameters of our room, but it is always better to understand the issue and find out how to calculate the wallpaper yourself.

There are several ways to calculate, but the most accurate is the method using the height of the ceilings, the width of the walls and the rapport. We will analyze it further.

Roll sizeAlmost all wallpaper is produced with a roll length of 10 m. The roll width can be 0.53 m or 1.06 m - these are 2 generally accepted standards.

Rapport is a repeating pattern on wallpaper. It is designated by a numerical value and measured in centimeters.Wallpaper whose pattern does not require adjustment can be considered wallpaper whose rapport is 0. Therefore, this parameter can be ignored in calculations.
For example:A rapport of 64 cm means that the pattern is repeated every 64 cm.

Symmetrical arrangement of the pattern at a certain distance. The rapport of the first strip of wallpaper completely coincides with the rapport of the adjacent strip.

When gluing, you need to move the wallpaper a certain distance.

No adjustment is required, the wallpaper is cut and pasted without taking into account the pattern rapport

how to calculate the number of rollsFor example, let's take a room with walls 3 and 4 meters wide.
The ceiling height throughout the apartment is about 2.7 meters.

We will calculate using the example of wallpaper with a roll width of 1.06 m and a length of 10 m.

Wallpaper repeat is 0.64 m.
To correctly calculate the length of one canvas that will be glued to the wall, you need to add the rapport value to the ceiling height.
2.7 m + 0.64 m = 3.34 m – the length of one piece of fabric that needs to be cut for gluing (with an allowance for adjusting the pattern).

how to calculate wallpaper lengthThe length of the roll is 10 m, you need to divide this value by the length of one cut canvas. To understand how many whole canvases we will get from 1 roll.

10 m / 3.34 m = 3 panels
Now we need to calculate how many meters around the perimeter one roll of the selected wallpaper will cover.
To do this, we multiply the resulting number of whole canvases by the width of the roll.
3 canvases x 1.06 m = 3.18 m

how to calculate wallpaper widthNow we calculate the perimeter of the room. To do this, we need to add up the length of all the walls.

In our case P = (3 + 4) x 2 = 14 m.
And divide the resulting value by the length that 1 roll covers around the perimeter.

14 / 3.18 = 4.4 rolls (rounded up to 5)
When calculating rolls, always round up the value to ensure that there is enough material. The best solution would be to take 1 extra roll, which you don’t have to unpack when gluing the wallpaper and, if you don’t need it, take it to the store or leave it in the storage room for local repairs.

Total: To cover the room with the selected type of wallpaper, we will need 6 rolls.

By counting according to this scheme, you will never make a mistake and take the required amount of wallpaper.

When calculating, we did not subtract the area of windows and doors, since this should only be done if the windows are panoramic and there are a large number of doors in the room. In other cases, there is no need to complicate the calculation.
With the right calculation of the amount of wallpaper, you can save money and avoid unnecessary troubles. In addition, with the correct adjustment of the pattern, your walls will look attractive and harmonious.

Don't forget to purchase an extra roll of wallpaper just in case, so you'll be prepared for any unexpected situations.
We hope these tips will help you successfully update your interior with wallpaper. Good luck!