Calculate exactly how much paint you need for your project

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Quick Answer

How Much Paint Do I Need?

Rule of thumb: 1 gallon of paint covers approximately 350 square feet with one coat.

Paint Needed by Room Size (2 coats, 8ft ceiling)
Room Size Wall Area Gallons Needed
10x10 ft ~280 sq ft 1.5-2 gallons
12x12 ft ~350 sq ft 2 gallons
14x14 ft ~420 sq ft 2.5 gallons
16x16 ft ~480 sq ft 3 gallons

Subtract ~15 sq ft per window, ~20 sq ft per door

Paint Settings

Coverage varies by paint quality
2 coats recommended for most projects
5 gallon saves 10-20% on large projects
$
Average interior paint: $25-50/gallon

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Your Results

Total Paintable Area 0 sq ft
Paint Needed 0 gallons
Cans to Buy 0 1-gallon cans
Estimated Cost $0 total

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much paint do I need for a 12x12 room?

For a 12x12 room with 8-foot ceilings, you have about 384 sq ft of wall space. Subtracting a door and window (~35 sq ft), you need about 350 sq ft of paint. With 2 coats at 350 sq ft/gallon coverage, you need approximately 2 gallons.

How many square feet does 1 gallon of paint cover?

One gallon of paint typically covers 350-400 square feet with one coat. Premium paints may cover up to 400 sq ft, while budget paints cover around 250-300 sq ft. Always check the paint can for specific coverage.

Do I need 1 or 2 coats of paint?

Most projects need 2 coats. Use 1 coat only for touch-ups or paint-and-primer-in-one over a similar color. Dark colors over light may need 3 coats.

How do I calculate paint for walls with windows?

Calculate total wall area (width x height), then subtract window and door areas. A standard window is about 15 sq ft, a door is about 20 sq ft. Our calculator does this automatically.

How much does it cost to paint a room?

Paint costs $25-50 per gallon for quality interior paint. A 12x12 room needs about 2 gallons ($50-100 for paint). Add $20-50 for supplies. Total DIY cost: $70-150.

Should I buy 1-gallon or 5-gallon paint?

Buy 5-gallon buckets for large projects (3+ rooms same color) - you save 10-20%. For single rooms, 1-gallon cans are more practical.