How Much Wrapping Paper Do I Need? Paper Size and Boxes per Roll
Part of the project planner: Planning the holidays: dinner, tree and lights.
To wrap a box, the paper must go once around it with an overlap, and be long enough to cover the ends. A box 12 × 9 × 4 inches needs a piece 28.0 × 17.0 in with a 2 inch overlap, about 3.3 square feet, which is 17 boxes from a 30 inch by 25 foot roll. The wrapping paper calculator works out the paper and ribbon for your own boxes and roll.
Paper for common gifts
With a 2 inch overlap, from a 30 inch by 25 ft roll:
| Gift | Box size | Paper to cut | Paper used | Boxes per roll |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jewelry box | 4 × 3 × 1.5 in | 11.0 × 6.5 in | 0.5 sq ft | 46 |
| Book | 9 × 6 × 1.5 in | 17.0 × 11.5 in | 1.4 sq ft | 26 |
| Shirt box | 14 × 10 × 2 in | 26.0 × 17.0 in | 3.1 sq ft | 17 |
| Shoe box | 13 × 8 × 4.5 in | 27.0 × 18.5 in | 3.5 sq ft | 16 |
| Medium box | 12 × 9 × 4 in | 28.0 × 17.0 in | 3.3 sq ft | 17 |
| Large box | 18 × 14 × 8 in | 46.0 × 27.0 in | 8.6 sq ft | 6 |
| Very large box | 24 × 18 × 12 in | 62.0 × 37.0 in | 15.9 sq ft | None: the box is wider than the roll |
Boxes per roll, by roll size
For the 12 × 9 × 4 inch box:
| Roll | Boxes per roll |
|---|---|
| 30 in × 15 ft | 10 |
| 30 in × 25 ft | 17 |
| 30 in × 50 ft | 35 |
| 30 in × 100 ft | 70 |
| 24 in × 25 ft | 10 |
| 24 in × 50 ft | 21 |
Wrapping tips
- Cut the paper with the pattern the right way up, and cut along a straight line (fold and cut, or use the grid on the back).
- Use double-sided tape on the seams, so that no tape shows.
- Fold the ends in sharp creases for a neat finish, and secure them with tape.
- For odd shapes, put the gift in a box or a bag, or use fabric or tissue.
- Save the scraps for small gifts and tags.
Ribbon
One band around this box takes 3.7 feet and a ribbon crossed both ways 6.5 feet. Add 12 to 18 inches for a bow.
See also the Christmas tree size calculator and the tree lights calculator for the rest of the holiday plan.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure how much wrapping paper I need?
Measure the box. The paper must go once around the box with an overlap, and be as long as the box plus enough for the ends. A box 12 × 9 × 4 inches needs a piece 28.0 × 17.0 in with a 2 inch overlap.
How many gifts can I wrap with one roll of wrapping paper?
A 30 inch wide roll 25 feet long wraps about 17 boxes the size of a 12 × 9 × 4 inch box, or 17 shirt boxes (14 × 10 × 2 inches). A longer roll wraps more.
How much ribbon do I need for a gift?
About 3.7 feet for one band around this box, and 6.5 feet if it crosses both ways, plus extra for the bow.
How much wrapping paper do I need for a lot of presents?
Add up the boxes, use the chart to find the paper per box, and buy a bit more than you need. Wrapping the biggest gifts first uses the scraps for the small ones.
Is it better to use a wide roll?
A wider roll (30 inches) is easier to wrap larger boxes. Narrow rolls (24 inches) are fine for books and small gifts, but waste more on big boxes.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
Affiliate links As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These links do not change what you pay.
Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.