Wallpaper Calculator with Repeat
Enter your wall area, roll coverage, and the pattern repeat to get the rolls needed, with repeat waste figured in.
What your result means
The pattern repeat is material wasted at the top of each strip as you line the pattern up, so this bumps your area by 5% per foot of repeat, then divides by a roll's usable coverage (56 sq ft for a standard double roll). Drop-match patterns waste even more than straight-match. Order from one dye lot and keep an extra roll for repairs.
How to use this calculator
- Calculate wall sq ft (perimeter x height, minus openings).
- Check roll coverage (usually 56 sqft for double roll).
- Find pattern repeat on wallpaper spec sheet.
- Read adjusted area and rolls needed.
- Order one extra roll for repairs.
The formula
The repeat adds 5% waste per foot of repeat. Bump the wall area by that waste, then divide by the roll coverage and round up for the rolls.
Worked example
Say you've got 400 sq ft of wall, rolls covering 56 sq ft, and a 12 inch pattern repeat. The repeat adds 5% waste, so 420 sq ft adjusted, which is 8 rolls.
Pattern repeat waste
| Repeat | Added waste |
|---|---|
| 12 in | ~5% |
| 24 in | ~10% |
| Drop-match | more than straight-match |
Tips & gotchas
- A 12 inch repeat adds about 5% waste; a 24 inch repeat about 10%.
- Drop-match patterns waste more than straight-match.
- Order from one dye lot.
- Keep the extra roll for repairs.
- Save the dye lot number off the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
What is pattern repeat?
The vertical distance before the pattern restarts. Bigger repeats waste more.
Straight match or drop match?
Straight aligns across strips; drop offsets each strip and wastes more.
How do I find the pattern repeat?
Check the wallpaper sample or the roll label.
Should I always add waste for repeat?
Yes, even a small repeat adds 5 to 10% waste.
What if my wallpaper has no repeat?
Use the standard Wallpaper Calculator instead.
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