Home Improvement
Wall area of a room
The total wall area that actually needs paper.
The Formula
area = 2 x (length + width) x ceiling height - openings
The total wall area that actually needs paper.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| L, W | Room dimensions | feet | The length and width of the room, in feet. |
| H | Ceiling height | feet | The height of the walls, in feet. |
| A openings | Openings | square feet | The combined area of doors and windows. |
| A | Wall area | square feet | The area to be papered, in square feet. |
What Each Symbol Means
L, Wfeet
Room dimensions
The length and width of the room, in feet.
Hfeet
Ceiling height
The height of the walls, in feet.
A openingssquare feet
Openings
The combined area of doors and windows.
Asquare feet
Wall area
The area to be papered, in square feet.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate wallpaper needed page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Wallpaper Needed, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.