U.S. · Holidays · Dec 1-23
Gift wrap paper calculator.
Enter the box in inches and the roll you have. Get the piece to cut, how many gifts one roll covers and how many rolls to buy.
Your numbers
Measure the box in inches. Defaults are a 30 inch wide roll, 8 feet long, which is a common retail roll; change them to match yours.
Result
How much wrapping paper per gift
A box needs a sheet as wide as the distance around the box plus a small overlap, and as long as the box plus its height so the ends can fold in. For a 12 × 9 × 3 inch box that is 2 × (9 + 3) + 1 = 25 inches around and 12 + 3 = 15 inches end to end. A 30 inch roll is wide enough for either direction, so cut 15 inches along the roll to get a 25 by 15 inch sheet. An 8 foot (96 inch) roll then gives 6 such gifts.
How the calculator works
- Around the box = 2 × (width + height) + overlap.
- End to end = length + height. Half the height folds over each end, so the ends close.
- The roll can be turned either way, so the calculator tests both: roll width covering the end-to-end span, or covering the around-the-box span. It keeps the one with the shorter cut that fits.
- Gifts per roll = roll length divided by the cut length, rounded down. Rolls = gifts divided by gifts per roll, rounded up.
Worked examples
| Box (L × W × H) | Roll | Cut piece | Gifts per roll |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 × 9 × 3 in (shirt box) | 30 in × 8 ft | 25 × 15 in | 6 |
| 8 × 8 × 4 in | 30 in × 8 ft | 25 × 12 in | 8 |
| 20 × 20 × 10 in | 30 in × 25 ft | 30 × 61 in | 4 |
If neither span fits the roll width, the calculator tells you the minimum width needed. In that case buy a wider roll or join two pieces with tape on the underside.
Tips for saving paper
- Measure the box rather than guessing; an extra inch on every side adds up over a pile of gifts.
- Cut the longer span across the roll when you can; the calculator already picks the shorter cut.
- Round up to whole rolls but keep any left-over strip for small gifts and tags.
- Cylinders, bags and oddly shaped gifts need extra allowance; measure the widest point and add a few inches.
What this does not cover
- Gifts that are not boxes. Treat them as the smallest box that holds them.
- Pattern matching on printed paper, which can add an inch or two per gift.
- Ribbon length, which depends on the bow style.
Sources
Checked 2026-11-01. No agency publishes a standard for wrapping paper, so this page uses plain geometry: the box dimensions you enter, the seam overlap you choose and the printed size of your roll.
Frequently asked questions
How much wrapping paper do I need for a box?
Cut a piece as wide as 2 times (box width plus height) plus 1 inch overlap, and as long as the box length plus its height. A 12 by 9 by 3 inch box needs about 25 by 15 inches.
How many gifts does one roll of wrapping paper wrap?
Divide the roll length by the cut length. An 8 foot roll cut at 15 inches per gift wraps 6 gifts of that size.
Why is the overlap 1 inch?
It is the strip where the paper meets, enough for tape without waste. Change it in the calculator if you prefer a wider seam.
What if my roll is too narrow?
The calculator shows the minimum width needed. Buy a wider roll, or join two strips with tape on the underside.
How many rolls of wrapping paper do I need for 20 gifts?
It depends on gift size. Twenty 12 by 9 by 3 inch boxes need 20 cuts of 15 inches, which is 25 feet, or 4 rolls of 8 feet.
Estimate only
This is a planning estimate. Fold-in allowances vary with how you wrap, and printed patterns may need extra paper. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.