How much paint do I need?
Work out how many gallons your walls and ceiling need, then turn that into a list of cans to buy. Everything is calculated in your browser.
Your shopping list
Enter your room and coverage to see results.
How this is worked out
- Rectangular wall area = 2 × (length + width) × height
- Flat ceiling area = length × width
- Net area = area − doors, windows and other deductions
- Paint = net area × coats ÷ coverage per coat
- An allowance is added only if you select one
Worked example
A 14 ft × 12 ft room with 8 ft walls has 416 sq ft of wall. Deducting 37 sq ft of openings leaves 379 sq ft. Two coats at an example coverage of 400 sq ft/US gal need 379 × 2 ÷ 400 = 1.895 US gal. Its ceiling is a separate 168 sq ft.
Limitations
This is an estimate. It does not account for texture, primer, absorption, color change, sloped surfaces, trim, or application method. The example values are not manufacturer or professional recommendations. Container plans use only the sizes you enter. Any cost shown uses only the prices you enter, before tax, and does not include other supplies.
Container plans
"Least paint" finds the smallest total volume that meets your need from your sizes. "Fewest containers" finds the smallest number of containers, then the smallest volume. Neither is chosen by price, so neither is necessarily the cheapest.