Roll and ribbon
Gift sizes are in inches (or cm): type 12, 9 1/2 or 9.5. Add one gift for each size, and use How many for gifts of the same size. Everything is saved on this device.
About the wrapping paper calculator
This free wrapping paper calculator tells you how big to cut the paper for a gift, so you do not waste half a roll or come up short. Enter the size of the box — or a round tin or tube — and it gives the sheet size to cut.
Wrapping many gifts? Add them all, and it tells you how many gifts one roll wraps, the rolls to buy, what is left on the last roll and the ribbon for a bow on each one.
Features
- Sheet size for each gift — the length that goes around and the length from end to end
- Boxes and tubes — boxes of any size, round tins, tubes and bottles
- The best way round — tries every way the box can lie on the roll and picks the one that uses the least paper
- Gifts per roll — how many gifts of one size a roll wraps, with sheets side by side when they fit
- Rolls to buy — for a whole list of gifts, with what is left on the last roll
- Ribbon — a cross over each box plus a bow, in yards or metres
- Roll sizes — 30 in × 15, 20, 25 or 40 ft, 24 in × 10 ft, or 70 cm and 50 cm rolls — or your own
- Saved on this device — your gift list is still there next week
How big to cut wrapping paper for a box
For a box lying flat, length × width × height:
- Around the box: 2 × (width + height) + 2 in of overlap
- From end to end: length + height + 1 in
The paper at each end must reach half way up the end of the box, so the two end flaps meet. That is why the height is added once (half at each end).
A 12 × 10 × 4 in box: around = 2 × (10 + 4) + 2 = 30 in, end to end = 12 + 4 + 1 = 17 in. So cut a sheet of 30 × 17 in. It fits across a 30 in roll, so each box uses 17 in of the roll, and a roll of 20 ft (240 in) wraps 14 boxes this size.
A box can be wrapped three ways. The calculator works out all three, turns each sheet both ways on the roll, and keeps the one that uses the least paper.
Round tins and tubes: around = 3.1416 × diameter + 2 in, end to end = height + diameter + 1 in. The paper at each end is pleated in to the middle.
Wrapping paper size chart
These numbers come from the calculator, for a roll 30 in wide and 20 ft long, with a 2 in overlap and 20 in of ribbon for each bow:
| Gift | Sheet to cut | Gifts per roll | Ribbon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box 12 × 10 × 4 in | 30 × 17 in | 14 | 2.2 yd |
| Shirt box 15 × 9.5 × 2 in | 25 × 18 in | 13 | 2.1 yd |
| Shoe box 13 × 8 × 5 in | 28 × 19 in | 12 | 2.3 yd |
| Cube 6 × 6 × 6 in | 26 × 13 in | 18 | 1.9 yd |
| Book 9 × 6 × 1 in | 22 × 8 in | 30 | 1.5 yd |
| Tube 3 in across, 12 in long | 11 3/8 × 16 in | 30 | 2.2 yd |
| Round tin 8 in across, 4 in high | 27 1/8 × 13 in | 18 | 1.9 yd |
| Big box 24 × 18 × 12 in | 62 × 37 in — wider than the roll | 1 | 4.2 yd |
The big box needs a sheet wider than the roll in every direction, so you join two strips with tape on the bottom. Its line in the calculator shows a note about that.
In metric, with a 70 cm × 2 m roll, 5 cm overlap and 50 cm for the bow: a 30 × 25 × 10 cm box needs a sheet of 75 × 42.5 cm (2 per roll, 2 m of ribbon), and a 33 × 20 × 12 cm shoe box needs 69 × 47.5 cm (4 per roll).
How many rolls for all my gifts?
Add every gift (use How many for gifts of the same size). Sheets that fit side by side across the roll share one strip of the roll.
| Gifts | Paper off the roll | Rolls of 30 in × 20 ft | Ribbon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 boxes of 12 × 10 × 4 in | 14.2 ft | 1 (5.8 ft left) | 22.2 yd |
| 6 shirt boxes, 4 shoe boxes and 5 cubes of 6 in | 20.7 ft | 2 (19.3 ft left) | 31.4 yd |
Frequently asked questions
How much wrapping paper do I need for a box?
Around the box: 2 × (width + height) + 2 in. From end to end: length + height + 1 in. A 12 × 10 × 4 in box needs a sheet of 30 × 17 in.
How do I measure wrapping paper without a ruler?
Roll the box once around on the paper and add a little for the overlap. For the ends, the paper should reach a bit more than half way up each end. The calculator gives the same sheet in inches, so you can cut a stack of sheets before you start.
How many gifts can I wrap with one roll?
It depends on the size. A 30 in × 20 ft roll wraps about 14 boxes of 12 × 10 × 4 in, 13 shirt boxes or 30 small books. Add your gifts to see the number for each size.
How much ribbon do I need for a gift?
For a ribbon that crosses on top: 2 × length + 2 × width + 4 × height, plus about 20 in (50 cm) for the bow. A 12 × 10 × 4 in box needs about 80 in, or 2.2 yards.
What if the box is bigger than the roll?
Use a wider roll, or cut two strips and tape them together. Put the join on the bottom of the box. The calculator counts both strips.
Can I wrap a bottle or a tube?
Yes. Pick Round tin or tube, enter the diameter and the height, and pleat the paper in to the middle at each end.
Related tools
- Printable Gift Tags — tags to print for your gifts
- Box Template Maker — print and fold your own gift box
- Christmas Lights Calculator — strands for the house
- Secret Santa Generator — draw names for a gift exchange
- Christmas Countdown — days left to wrap everything
How to use it
- Choose Feet & inches or Metres & cm
- Pick Box or Round tin or tube and enter the gift's size and how many you have
- Use Add another gift for each other size
- Pick the roll size you have, and a price per roll if you want the cost
- Read the sheet to cut for each gift, the gifts per roll and the rolls to buy
- Cut the sheets, lay each gift upside down on its sheet, and press Copy the list to keep the ribbon length
