Quick answer
Measure the width of each wall at its widest point and the height from the top of the baseboard to the ceiling, in feet and inches. Note windows and doors separately, give the tallest height for sloped or stair walls, and record the pattern repeat and roll size of your wallpaper.
Key points
- Measure each wall separately; do not use the room perimeter alone.
- Use the tallest point of the wall for strip length.
- Do not subtract small openings — they rarely save a full strip.
- Roll size and pattern repeat matter as much as wall size.
What you need
- A 25-foot tape measure (a laser measure works well for tall walls).
- Paper or a notes app.
- A simple sketch of the room with the walls numbered.
Step 1: Sketch and number the walls
Draw the room from above and number each wall clockwise from the door. Mark windows, doors, built-ins and anything fixed to the wall. This sketch makes your measurements easy to read and is very helpful when you send a request.
Step 2: Measure width
Measure each wall from corner to corner at about waist height. If the wall is interrupted by a door or window, still measure the full width and note the opening separately.
Step 3: Measure height
Measure from the top of the baseboard (or floor, if there is no baseboard) to the ceiling or crown molding. Take two or three heights along the wall — older homes are often uneven — and record the tallest.
Step 4: Openings
Note the width and height of windows and doors. For roll counts, small openings usually do not save a full strip because of pattern matching, so many installers only deduct large openings such as wide windows or patio doors.
Special cases
Stair walls
Measure the width along the floor line and the tallest height (usually at the bottom of the stairs, from the lower floor to the ceiling above). Photos are essential for stair walls.
Sloped and attic walls
Give the height at both ends and the width. Mention knee walls and dormers.
Ceilings
Measure length and width, plus the height from floor to ceiling for access. See ceiling wallpaper installation.
Murals
Measure width at the top, middle and bottom and height at left, center and right, and use the largest numbers. Murals are printed to size, so these numbers go to the printer. Our mural guide explains bleed.
Turning measurements into rolls
| Input | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Roll width and length | Product page or roll label |
| Pattern repeat | Product page or label (in inches or cm) |
| Match type | Straight, drop (offset) or random |
| Wall widths and tallest height | Your measurements |
Enter these in our wallpaper roll calculator. It works out strips per wall and strips per roll, then adds a spare. Read how to order wallpaper before you buy.
Common measuring mistakes
- Measuring only one height in an older home.
- Forgetting the area above a door or below a window.
- Rounding down instead of up.
- Using the room perimeter without accounting for pattern repeat.
- Mixing inches and centimeters from a European product page.
FAQ
Should I measure in feet or inches?
Either works; just be consistent. Feet and inches (for example 11 ft 6 in) are common in the US.
Do I subtract doors and windows?
Only large openings. Small ones rarely save a full strip once the pattern repeat is matched.
Can you measure for me?
Yes. Send photos and approximate sizes, and we will review the project and confirm measurements as part of the estimate.
