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Paint Coverage Calculator

Standard Paint Coverage = 350 to 400 sq ft per gallon

Typically, 1 gallon covers a standard room's walls with one coat. Two coats are recommended for optimal finish.

Wall Parameters

Required Paint

Net Surface Area to Paint 324 sq ft
Estimated Paint Required 1.9 gallons

Paint Types & Coverage Rates

Different paint formulations have different coverage rates. Here are typical coverages per gallon:

Interior matte / flat350–400 sq ft
Interior eggshell / satin350–400 sq ft
Interior semi-gloss300–350 sq ft
Interior gloss / trim250–300 sq ft
Exterior latex250–350 sq ft
Masonry / brick paint100–200 sq ft
Primer (first coat)200–300 sq ft

Tips to Reduce Paint Waste

Buying too much paint wastes money; buying too little means extra trips and potential color mismatches. Here's how to get your estimate right:

  • • Order one extra quart for touch-ups after moving furniture in.
  • • Note the dye lot on your can (store label) to match future purchases.
  • • Measure twice — recalculate your room after accounting for all openings.
  • • Dark to light changes require extra coats — add 50% to your gallon count.
  • • Porous surfaces (new drywall, concrete) require more paint — add 20%.

Frequently Asked Questions — Paint Coverage

How many square feet does a gallon of paint cover?
One gallon of standard interior paint covers 350–400 square feet per coat on smooth, primed surfaces. On rough or porous surfaces (textured walls, masonry, unprimed drywall) coverage drops to 250–300 sq ft per gallon. Always check the coverage spec on your specific paint can.
Do I need two coats of paint?
Two coats are almost always recommended for the best finish, full color coverage, and durability. One coat is sufficient only when painting the same color over a well-prepared surface, or when using high-opacity 'one-coat' paint. When changing from a dark to a light color, you may need three coats.
How do I measure walls for painting?
Measure the perimeter of the room (total length of all walls) and multiply by the ceiling height to get gross wall area. Subtract 21 sq ft per door and 15 sq ft per standard window. Add 15% for rough or textured surfaces.
Should I include ceiling in the paint calculation?
Ceiling paint is separate from wall paint. Measure the floor area (length × width) to get the ceiling square footage. A standard 10x12 room ceiling = 120 sq ft, requiring about 0.34 gallons per coat.
How much paint is wasted in a project?
Add 10% to your calculated quantity for waste (spills, touch-ups, brush loading). For rooms with complex trim or multiple color changes, add 15%. Always round up to the nearest standard can size (1 qt, 1 gal).

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