How Many Rolls of House Wrap Do You Need?

Enter the walls and the roll size on the label. You'll get rolls to buy after the 6″ course lap and waste — house wrap only, not siding or insulation. Unlike siding, don't subtract windows and doors.

Last updated: August 12, 2026

Quick preset

Perimeter is the outer wall walk-around (all sides). Height is one story or stacked stories — not roof pitch.

Lap defaults to 6″ and waste to 10% (change under Advanced). Don't subtract openings.

House Wrap Order Summary

2
rolls to buy
1,584 sq ft with waste · 850 sq ft effective / roll
Wall area1,440 sq ft
Order area (with waste) 1,584 sq ft
Label coverage / roll 900 sq ft
Effective / roll after lap 850 sq ft
Full-roll rounding +116 sq ft

160 × 9 ft · 9 × 100 ft · 6″ lap · 10% waste · openings not deducted

Worked examples

Ranch walls — 160 × 9

1,440 sq ft · 9×100 rolls · 6″ lap · 10% waste

Gross wall area
1,440 sq ft
Effective / roll
850 sq ft
Rolls to buy
2

The package says 900 sq ft, but a 6″ course lap leaves you closer to 850 on the wall. Two rolls cover this ranch once waste is in.

Walls + gables — 2,000 + 200

2,200 sq ft gross · 9×100 · 6″ lap · 10% waste

Gross wall area
2,200 sq ft
Order area (with waste)
2,420 sq ft
Rolls to buy
3

Add the gable triangles on top of the wall body. Keep windows and doors in the total — wrap still covers those spots before you cut and flash.

Same ranch, 9×150 rolls

1,440 sq ft · 9×150 · 6″ lap · 10% waste

Gross wall area
1,440 sq ft
Effective / roll
1,275 sq ft
Rolls to buy
2

Longer rolls bump effective coverage. You still buy two here, with less leftover than two short 100 ft rolls.

Ordering decisions

The roll math is straightforward. These choices decide whether the buy count matches the job.

Roll width vs story height

9 ft rolls are the usual wall pick. Use 3 ft rolls for tight repairs. Pick a width that puts seams where you can tape them.

Stucco often needs two layers

A lot of stucco specs want two weather-barrier layers. This tool counts one — double the rolls (or run it twice) when your finish needs it.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on the label and the lap. A common 9×100 roll is labeled 900 sq ft, but a 6″ horizontal lap leaves about 850 sq ft of wall. Longer 9×150 rolls land near 1,275 sq ft effective. Use the size on the roll you buy — the result panel shows effective coverage.
Most makers call for about 6 inches on horizontal courses. Vertical end seams are often 6–12 inches. This calculator defaults to a 6″ horizontal lap when it shrinks effective coverage per roll.
No — and some quick guides get this wrong. Siding stops at the frame, so those calculators subtract openings. House wrap still covers those zones before you cut and flash. Leave them in or you'll run short.
No. This page is weather-resistive barrier (house wrap / Tyvek-style) rolls only. Insulation bags and siding boxes are different products — use those calculators for cavity fill and cladding.

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