Paint calculator
Paint Calculator
Estimate whole gallons of paint from area, coats, and coverage.
Results
- Total coated square footage
- 800.00 sq ft
- Gallons required
- 3 gallons
Rounded up to whole gallons.
Save this calculation to a project estimate.
What this calculator does
This calculator estimates whole gallons of paint from paintable wall area, number of coats, and coverage per gallon.
Use it for early paint planning after measuring the surfaces you expect to paint. Primer, trim, ceilings, and specialty coatings should be estimated separately when they use different products.
Formula used
Total coated square footage equals paintable wall area times number of coats. Gallons required equals total coated square footage divided by coverage per gallon, rounded up to a whole gallon.
Coverage rate
The default coverage is 350 square feet per gallon, which can be adjusted to match the paint label. Actual coverage depends on the paint, surface texture, color change, primer, and application method.
Planning note
Keep product type and sheen consistent when comparing coverage. If you are painting different surfaces with different products, estimate each product separately.
Frequently asked questions
- How much paint do I need for two coats?
- Enter 2 for number of coats. The calculator multiplies the paintable area by two before dividing by the coverage rate.
- Should I include doors and windows?
- Enter the paintable area you want counted. Small openings are often left in early estimates, while large openings can be subtracted from measured wall area.
- Why does the calculator round up gallons?
- Paint is usually purchased by container size, so the calculator rounds the gallon estimate upward to avoid fractional gallons.