ArtCalcs.uk
Canvas Size Calculator — Dimensions with Wrap
Calculate canvas fabric dimensions including gallery wrap allowance and stapling overlap.
How We Calculate This
Fabric dimension = Canvas dimension + (2 × wrap depth) + (2 × stapling allowance)
This adds wrap-around on all four sides. The visible painting area is canvas width × height, while total fabric includes all extra material. Increase the optional fabric-shrinkage allowance if you are priming raw cotton or linen, which can tighten as it absorbs water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gallery wrap means the canvas wraps around the sides of the stretcher bars so the painting continues around the edges. This allows the artwork to be displayed without a frame. Standard gallery wrap depth is 38mm.
Allow 20-30mm beyond the stretcher bar depth for folding and stapling to the back. 25mm is a good standard allowance.
The two most common depths are 18mm (slim profile, usually framed) and 38mm (gallery profile, can be displayed unframed). Some artists use 50mm or deeper bars for large work.
Acrylic gesso covers roughly 100ml per square metre per coat (Golden quotes about 125ml/m²), and canvas usually wants at least two coats. The gesso figure here primes the visible front face plus the four wrapped side strips. For a more detailed estimate that accounts for canvas absorbency, use the dedicated Gesso Coverage Calculator.
Related Calculators
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Calculate the total area of canvas fabric needed including overlap for stapling. Works for single canvases or cutting multiples.
Aspect Ratio Calculator
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Gesso Coverage Calculator
Calculate how much gesso primer you need for your canvas or wood panel based on surface area, absorbency and number of coats applied.
Canvas Weight Calculator
Estimate the weight of a stretched canvas including stretcher bars, fabric and paint layers. Useful for shipping and hanging.
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Calculate how many canvases can be cut from a roll of canvas given standard and custom sizes.
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.