What grade of lining paper should I use?

Grade 1000 is the most popular all-purpose lining paper. Use grade 800 for smooth walls that just need a fresh base. Grade 1200 is ideal for walls with minor imperfections — it's thicker and hides small cracks. Grade 1400-2000 is for badly damaged walls or professional use where a perfectly smooth finish is critical before painting or wallpapering.

Should lining paper be hung horizontally or vertically?

If you're painting over lining paper, hang it vertically like wallpaper. If you're wallpapering over it, hang lining paper horizontally (cross-lining) so the joints don't line up with the wallpaper joints. Cross-lining gives a smoother finish and prevents visible seams showing through the wallpaper.

How much paste do I need for lining paper?

A standard packet of wallpaper paste (around 500g) typically covers 5-7 rolls of lining paper, depending on the grade. Heavier grades (1200+) absorb more paste. Mix paste slightly thicker than for wallpaper — it needs to support the weight of the paper. Allow 10 minutes soaking time after pasting before hanging.

How long does lining paper take to dry before painting?

Allow at least 24 hours for lining paper to fully dry before painting. In cold or damp conditions, allow 48 hours. The paper may look dry to the touch after a few hours, but painting too soon can cause bubbles and wrinkles as moisture gets trapped. Make sure the room is well ventilated during drying.

What is the standard UK lining paper roll size?

Standard UK lining paper rolls are 10.05 metres long and 0.56 metres (56cm) wide, giving approximately 5.6 m² of coverage per roll. Some professional rolls come in 20m lengths for fewer joints. The width is consistent across all grades.

TradeCalculator

Lining Paper Calculator — How Many Rolls Do I Need?

Calculate lining paper rolls from wall area, grade, and paste requirements. UK standard roll sizes.

Wall Height

Floor to ceiling height

Room Perimeter

Total length of all walls

Window Area to Deduct

Total area of all windows

Door Area to Deduct

Standard door ~1.6 m²

Lining Paper Grade

Higher grades are thicker and hide more

Price Per Roll (optional)

For cost estimate

How We Calculate This

This calculator works out how many rolls of lining paper you need based on your wall dimensions and the paper grade selected. It calculates the number of drops (lengths) you can get from each roll, then determines total rolls required.

The formula

Drops per roll = Floor(Roll length ÷ Wall height)

Width covered per roll = Drops per roll × Paper width

Rolls needed = Ceiling(Net wall area ÷ Coverage per roll × Wastage factor)

Paste (kg) = Rolls × Paste rate per roll (by grade)

For example, a room with 2.4m walls and 14m perimeter: gross area = 33.6 m². After deducting 3.6 m² for doors/windows = 30 m². Each roll gives 4 drops at 2.4m height (4 × 0.56m = 2.24m width × 2.4m = 5.4 m²). So 30 ÷ 5.4 = 5.6, plus 10% waste = 7 rolls.

Paste rates by grade

Grade 800: ~0.18 kg paste per roll
Grade 1000: ~0.22 kg paste per roll
Grade 1200: ~0.26 kg paste per roll
Grade 1400+: ~0.30-0.40 kg paste per roll

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Paint Coverage Calculator

Calculate how many litres of paint you need for walls and ceilings.

Wallpaper Calculator

Work out how many rolls of wallpaper you need for any room.

Primer Coverage Calculator

Calculate primer quantities for walls, wood and metalwork.

Wood Stain Calculator

Calculate wood stain or varnish needed for decking, fences and furniture.

Masonry Paint Calculator

Calculate exterior masonry paint for outside walls.

Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.