Short answer
Most jobs need a 9 inch standard roller with a cover matched to the surface. Add a 4 to 6 inch mini roller for cabinets, doors and tight spots, a foam or woven cover for glossy smooth work, a thick knit cover for stucco and brick, and an extension pole for ceilings and tall walls. Pattern and texture rollers are decorative tools, not everyday ones.
By width
| Width | Use it for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 6-1/2 in. mini | Cabinets, doors, trim, behind toilets, between studs, furniture | Benjamin Moore suggests 4 in. for paneled cabinet doors, wide trim and narrow spaces. |
| 7 in. | Smaller rooms, hallways, closets | Lighter in the hand; fewer accessories fit. |
| 9 in. standard | Walls, ceilings, flat doors | The default size. Trays, grids, frames and covers all fit it. |
| 12 to 18 in. wide | Large open walls, ceilings, floors | Purdy says longer rollers paint more area per pass; they need a stronger frame, a big tray or a bucket, and more effort per stroke. |
Purdy says covers range from 4 to 18 inches and that shorter rollers suit edges and corners. If you use a mini roller to reach tight spots on a wall, Purdy suggests matching its fabric and nap to your main roller for a seamless finish.
By cover fabric
Roller cover materials at a glance
| Material | Build | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microfiber | Woven or knit blend | Smooth walls, ceilings, cabinets; most sheens | Can shed if cheap; de-lint before use |
| Woven synthetic | Woven | Semi-gloss and gloss, trim, doors; lowest lint | Holds less paint than knit |
| Knit polyester or nylon | Knit | Flat and eggshell walls, texture, fast coverage | Leaves more stipple |
| Foam | Molded foam | Cabinets, doors, furniture, smooth enamel | No reach into texture; can bubble if rolled fast |
| Mohair | Natural, woven | Oil-based enamels and gloss on smooth surfaces | Natural fibers can mat with latex (Sherwin-Williams) |
| Lambswool or sheepskin | Natural, knit | Oil-based paint on walls | Water in latex can swell and mat it |
| Poly and wool blend | Blend | All paints; extra pickup with longer life | Usually a pricier cover |
Sherwin-Williams’ rule of thumb: synthetic covers for latex, natural covers (mohair or sheepskin) for oil-based paint, and polyester and wool blends for all paints. Water in latex can swell natural fibers and mat them.
By nap
Nap runs from about 3/16 inch (foam-smooth, for enamel on doors) to 1-1/4 inch (brick and block). The nap guide has the full chart.
Frames and poles
The frame is the wire cage and handle the cover slides onto. A good one spins freely, holds the cover without slipping, and has a threaded handle for a pole. Five-wire cage frames are the common type; heavier frames suit wide and long-nap covers. More in frames and extension poles.
Specialty rollers
- Texture and pattern rollers: embossed or patterned covers that print a design or build texture. Decorative, not for flat color. See textured and pattern rollers.
- Splash-shield rollers: a guard over the cover to cut spatter on ceilings. Bob Vila’s testers found a shielded cover reduced spatter but kept them from painting close to edges.
- Corner and edge rollers: small shaped rollers for inside corners and cut lines. Handy, but a brush is usually faster and neater.
- Powered rollers: feed paint from the can through a hose. Bob Vila’s testers said one sped up the job and reduced mess; they cost far more and take longer to clean.
Which ones should you own?
For a typical home: one sturdy 9 inch frame, a handful of 3/8 inch covers for walls and ceilings, a 4 inch mini frame with foam or woven covers for trim and doors, a 4 to 8 ft pole, and a tray. Add longer-nap covers only when a textured or exterior job comes up. The roller picker narrows it down by job.
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Questions people ask
What is the most common paint roller size?
The 9 inch roller. Benjamin Moore recommends a standard 9 inch roller for walls, ceilings and flat doors, and most covers, trays and frames are sold to fit it.
What is the difference between woven and knit roller covers?
Woven covers (such as microfiber and mohair) shed less lint and give a very smooth finish. Knit covers (such as polyester and lambswool) hold more paint and cover faster but leave some stipple. That is how Purdy and Benjamin Moore both describe the split.
Are foam rollers good for walls?
They are better suited to smooth, small surfaces such as cabinets and doors. Foam holds little paint compared with a fabric nap, and it cannot reach into texture, so on a whole wall it is slow and can leave bubbles if rolled fast.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Specs and availability change; check the listing before you buy.