Paint Calculator
To find how much paint you need, divide the wall area by the paint's coverage. One gallon covers about 350 to 400 square feet in a single coat, so a typical two-coat job covers about 200 square feet per gallon. Measure the walls, pick your coats, and round up to the next whole gallon.
Measure total wall area; subtract large windows and doors. Two coats is standard for good coverage.
Add prices to estimate cost (optional)
Enter your measurements above to see how much paint you need.
How to measure
Add up the area of each wall (height times width). You can subtract large openings like doors and picture windows, but it is fine to leave small windows in as a margin.
Most jobs need two coats, especially over a new or different color. Add a primer coat for bare drywall, patches, or big color changes.
Buying paint
Paint is sold in quarts, gallons, and 5 gallon buckets. A 5 gallon bucket is cheaper per gallon for big jobs. Always round up to the next container so you do not run short mid-wall.
Buy a little extra and keep it for touch-ups; matching a color later is never exact.
Paint coverage chart
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gallon of paint cover?
About 350 to 400 square feet in one coat on a smooth, primed surface. Rough or porous surfaces cover less.
How many gallons of paint for a room?
Add up the wall area, divide by 350 to 400 per coat, and multiply by the number of coats. A typical 12x12 room with 8 ft walls needs about 2 gallons for two coats.
Do I need two coats of paint?
Usually yes. Two coats give even color and better durability. One coat may do for a same-color refresh; use primer plus two coats for big color changes or bare surfaces.
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