Wallpaper Calculator: How Much Wallpaper Do I Need?

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  • Calculating wallpaper installation costs requires measuring wall height and width, then subtracting openings like doors and windows to find your total square footage.

  • Professional wallpaper installation costs range from $175 to $1,500, with average costs around $560, so planning ahead helps you budget accurately for your project.

  • Patterned wallpaper needs about 10% extra square footage to align designs properly, ensuring your walls look seamless and professionally finished without mismatched patterns.

  • Hiring a local wallpaper installation professional removes the guesswork from measurements and pattern matching, helping you avoid buying too much or too little for your space.

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Ready to transform a room from "meh" to "wow?" Wallpaper can help. But first, you need to find the answer to "how much wallpaper do I need?" Nothing is more annoying than running out of wallpaper in the middle of the project, so use this wallpaper calculator to get the right amount. 

How to Calculate Wallpaper Needs

woman holding roll of wallpaper
Photo: Ludmila Kapustkina / istock / Getty Images

To figure out how much wallpaper you'll need, make note of how large each roll is and the total square footage of the walls you want to cover, minus any openings such as windows and doors:

Number of Rolls Needed = Square Footage of Wall 1 + Square Footage of Wall 2 + Square Footage of Wall 3 + Square Footage of Wall 4 – Square Footage of Any Openings / Square Footage per Roll

How to Measure for Wallpaper

To measure for wallpaper, use a steel measuring tape to measure the height and width of each wall you want to cover, not including baseboards, moldings, and other areas you don’t want to cover.

If the wall has large openings, such as a door, window, or fireplace, also measure the height and width of those, then subtract their square footage from the wall's total square footage. You don't have to worry about subtracting small openings, such as outlets or light switches.

If you're going to hang paper with a pattern, you'll most likely need a bit extra to allow the pattern to align and to keep the wall from looking crooked. Add about 10% of the total square footage to your wallpaper needs.

Who to Hire to Hang Wallpaper

It can be worth it to hire a professional to hang wallpaper, as working with an experienced wallpaper installer can help you avoid buying too much (or too little) and ensure the finished project looks great.

Your best bet is to work with someone who specializes in installing wallpaper. If you can't find a local installer, another option is to hire a handyperson. Just make sure the handyperson has experience working with wallpaper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many types of wallpaper exist, from removable peel-and-stick options to more permanent options that involve pasting. You can also find wallpaper that you can paint over, wallpaper with a texture, and wallpaper made from various materials, such as vinyl. Some types of wallpaper are washable, which can be a great option for kitchens or if your household has small children.

You may end up with extra wallpaper once your project is finished. Hang on to that wallpaper, as you may need to use it to patch up areas that get damaged later on. If you have a lot of excess wallpaper, try getting creative with it. You can use it to line the inside of a cabinet or drawers, for example.

The average cost to install or hang wallpaper is around $575 per room or project, with typical prices ranging from $200 to $1,500. Costs can be higher for custom or luxury products. Since project size varies, it's often helpful to estimate labor costs per square foot, which generally fall between $1 and $7, with an average of $4 per square foot. The total cost depends on several factors, including the quality and type of wallpaper, the size and type of the room, and whether old wallpaper must be removed first. Opting for less expensive materials like peel-and-stick wallpaper or choosing to do the installation yourself can lower the overall cost. For the most accurate estimate, it is best to have a professional inspect the space and provide a quote.

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