Gift-Wrap Paper Calculator
Work out exactly how much wrapping paper a box needs. Enter the length, width and height in centimetres or inches and get the flat sheet size to cut, the total paper area, and a simple cut diagram. Free, no sign-up, works in your browser.
Work out how much wrapping paper you need for a box before you cut. Enter the length, width and height in centimetres or inches and it gives the flat sheet size, the total paper area, and a cut diagram to follow. It saves guessing at the roll, avoids big offcuts, and handles long or tall boxes that are hard to eyeball.
- Live preview before you print
- 100% free
- No sign-up, no app
- A4 and US Letter
- Works offline after first load
For a standard box wrap. The overlap (about 2 to 3 cm) covers the seam where the paper edges meet and the tucks at each end.
Cut a flat sheet 66.5 cm × 56.5 cm. Lay the box face-down on the shaded footprint, bring the two long edges up to meet over the top, then fold each end in along the dashed lines.
How to use it
- 1
Measure your box
Note the length, width and height of the box you want to wrap, in centimetres or inches.
- 2
Enter the dimensions
Type the three measurements and, if you like, adjust the overlap allowance for the seam and end tucks.
- 3
Cut your sheet
Cut a flat sheet at the width and length shown, then lay the box on the shaded footprint and fold along the guides.
When it comes in handy
Buying paper
Check a roll is wide enough before you buy, so the sheet actually reaches around the box.
No waste
Cut the right size the first time instead of guessing and trimming off big offcuts.
Awkward shapes
Long, flat or tall boxes are hard to eyeball. The girth maths gets it right every time.
Live preview & 100% in your browser
The PDF is built right here in your browser, sized to the exact page you choose. Nothing you type is sent to a server, there is no sign-up and no limit, and once the page has loaded it keeps working even with no connection.
Frequently asked questions
- How much wrapping paper do I need for a box?
- For a standard box wrap you need a flat sheet at least as wide as the box girth (twice the width plus twice the height) and as long as the box length plus twice the height, with a little extra for the seam and the end tucks. This calculator does that maths for you: enter the box length, width and height and it gives the exact sheet width, sheet length and total paper area.
- What is the formula for gift wrap size?
- Sheet width = 2 × (box width + box height), which is the girth the paper wraps around, plus about 2-3 cm of overlap for the seam. Sheet length = box length + 2 × box height, plus a little overlap so the ends fold in and meet. Multiply the two for the total paper area.
- How much overlap should I leave?
- About 2 to 3 centimetres (roughly 1 inch) is plenty for most boxes. It covers the seam where the two long edges meet over the top and the tucks at each end. You can raise it for very large boxes or thick paper, or lower it to save paper on small gifts.
- Does it work in inches as well as centimetres?
- Yes. Switch the unit to inches and enter your box in inches; the sheet size and area come back in inches too. Everything is calculated in your browser, so nothing you type is sent anywhere and there is no sign-up.
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