Paint Calculator
Estimate paint needed (gallons or liters) from wall area, coats, and coverage rate. Subtract doors and windows for a pre
Room Dimensions
Paint Requirements
Paint Needed
2.1 gallons
2 coats
Wall Area
419 sq ft
Paintable wall surface
Primer Needed
1.05 gallons
Base coat coverage
Project Cost
Total Cost
$131.25
$0.31 per sq ft
Paint (2.1 gallons)
latex satin finish
$94.50
Primer (1.05 gallons)
Base coat for better coverage
$36.75
Project Timeline
Preparation
Cleaning, taping, drop cloths
1 hours
Primer Application
Allow 2-4 hours drying time
3 hours
First Coat
Allow 4-6 hours between coats
3 hours
Additional Coats
1 additional coat(s)
3 hours
Cleanup
Remove tape, wash brushes, cleanup
1-2 hours
Paint Selection Guide
Flat: Hides imperfections, non-washable. Good for ceilings.
Eggshell: Subtle sheen, easy to clean. Great for living rooms.
Satin: Durable, washable. Perfect for high-traffic areas.
Semi-gloss: Very durable. Ideal for trim, doors, bathrooms.
Gloss: Highly durable and washable. Best for cabinets.
How it works
A paint calculator estimates how much paint a job needs by dividing the surface area by the paint's coverage rate (about 350 square feet per gallon), then multiplying by the number of coats. Subtract large openings like doors and windows.
Paint needed
Gallons = (wall area ÷ coverage) × coats
- wall area
- total ft² to paint (minus doors/windows)
- coverage
- ≈ 350 ft² per gallon
- coats
- usually 2
Worked example
- Walls total 700 sq ft
- Coverage 350 ft²/gallon, 2 coats
- Gallons = (700 ÷ 350) × 2
≈ 4 gallons for two coats.
Good to know
- Coverage drops on rough, porous, or unprimed surfaces — round up.
- A dark-to-light color change usually needs an extra coat or a tinted primer.
- Buy a little extra from the same batch for touch-ups so the color matches.