Gift Wrap Paper Needed Calculator

Work out gift wrap paper needed instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Gift Wrap Paper Needed Calculator

Wrapping paper must go all the way round the box, so its length is twice the width plus twice the height, plus overlap. The width must cover the box length plus enough to fold over the ends — roughly the box height plus a margin.

Formula

Gift wrap

length = 2 x (width + height) + overlap; width = box length + height + overlap

Worked example

With the default values below, Gift Wrap Paper Needed Calculator returns Paper length needed of 72.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Box length: 30 cm
Box width: 22 cm
Box height: 12 cm
Overlap allowance: 4 cm

Results

Paper length needed: 72.00 cm
Paper width needed: 46.00 cm
Paper area: 0.3312 m²
Boxes per 5 m roll: 10 boxes

Step by step

1Values used
2Gift wrap
3Paper length needed= 72.00 cm
4Paper width needed= 46.00 cm
5Paper area= 0.3312 m²
6Boxes per 5 m roll= 10 boxes

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 4 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the end fold need the box height?

The paper folds down over each end, and the fold has to reach at least halfway across the end face — which is the box height dimension.

How do I reduce waste?

Measure before cutting, and orient the box along the roll so the roll width is used efficiently. Diagonal wrapping suits awkward flat items.