Acrylic Paint Coverage Calculator
Paint coverage varies by surface texture, paint quality, and prep work. Enter your room dimensions or total square footage, select the surface type, and get an instant estimate for gallons, primer, cans to buy, and total cost.
Paint Coverage by Surface Type
Coverage varies dramatically by surface. Unpainted drywall absorbs more paint than previously painted walls. Always check your paint can label for the manufacturer's published coverage rate.
| Surface Type | Coverage per Gallon | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Previously Painted (smooth) | 350 – 400 ft² | Best case; minimal absorption |
| Previously Painted (textured) | 250 – 300 ft² | Texture adds 10–20% surface area |
| New Drywall (unprimed) | 250 ft² | Porous; primer saves 30–50% paint on top coats |
| Plaster | 300 – 350 ft² | Similar to smooth drywall |
| Raw Wood | 200 ft² | Grain absorbs heavily; always prime first |
| Brick or Concrete | 150 – 200 ft² | Very porous; needs masonry primer |
| Stucco | 150 – 250 ft² | Highly textured; reduced coverage |
| Metal (primed) | 350 – 450 ft² | Smooth, non-absorbent |
Sources: Sherwin-Williams Technical Data, Benjamin Moore TDS, PriceTable (MPI Standards), SqFootageCalculator (ANSI Z765/BOMA)
Paint Finish Guide
Paint sheen affects durability, cleanability, and appearance. Higher sheen = more durable but shows more imperfections. Lower sheen = hides flaws but harder to clean.
| Finish | Sheen Level | Best For | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat / Matte | 0–5% | Ceilings, formal rooms, low-traffic areas, imperfect walls | Kitchens, bathrooms, children's rooms, hallways |
| Eggshell | 10–25% | Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, hallways | High-moisture rooms, heavily textured walls |
| Satin | 25–35% | Kitchens, bathrooms, kids' rooms, hallways, high-traffic areas | Walls with many imperfections |
| Semi-Gloss | 35–70% | Trim, doors, cabinets, bathroom walls, high-moisture areas | Large wall areas, imperfect surfaces |
| High-Gloss | 70%+ | Accent trim, furniture, cabinets, front doors | Interior walls (shows every flaw) |
Pro tip: Eggshell on walls + semi-gloss on trim is the most popular combination for interior homes.
Room-by-Room Paint Estimates
These are approximate gallon counts for walls only (2 coats, 350 ft²/gal coverage, standard 8 ft ceilings). Include ceiling or adjust for your specific room using the calculator above.
| Room Type | Typical Size | Walls Only | Walls + Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Bathroom | 5 × 8 ft | 1 gal | 1.5 gal |
| Standard Bathroom | 8 × 10 ft | 1.5 gal | 2 gal |
| Small Bedroom | 10 × 10 ft | 1.5 gal | 2 gal |
| Standard Bedroom | 12 × 12 ft | 2 gal | 2.5 gal |
| Master Bedroom | 14 × 16 ft | 2.5 gal | 3.5 gal |
| Living Room | 16 × 20 ft | 3 gal | 4 gal |
| Kitchen | 12 × 14 ft | 2 gal | 2.5 gal |
Estimates assume 2 coats, standard door/window deductions, and 350 ft²/gal coverage. Actual needs may vary based on paint quality, surface condition, and color change.
Paint Coverage Formula
The calculator uses this formula to estimate paint needs:
- Wall Area = 2 × (Length + Width) × Height
- Ceiling Area = Length × Width (if included)
- Openings = (Doors × 21 ft²) + (Windows × 15 ft²)
- Net Paintable Area = Wall Area + Ceiling Area − Openings
- Total Area (with waste) = Net Area × Coats × (1 + Waste% ÷ 100)
- Gallons Needed = Total Area ÷ Coverage Rate (ft²/gal)
- Primer Needed = Net Area ÷ 250 ft²/gal (if enabled)
Coverage rates vary by paint type and surface. Premium latex paint on smooth, previously painted drywall covers 350–400 ft²/gal. On textured or porous surfaces, expect 150–300 ft²/gal.
How to Use This Calculator
Step 1: Choose input mode — 'Room Dimensions' to enter length, width, and height, or 'Direct Area' if you already know the total square footage.
Step 2: Enter room details. For room mode: length and width in feet, wall height (default 8 ft), number of doors (21 ft² each) and windows (15 ft² each). Toggle 'Include ceiling' if painting it.
Step 3: Select the surface type — Previously Painted, Textured, New Drywall, Bare Wood, or Brick/Concrete. The coverage rate auto-adjusts based on your selection.
Step 4: Set coats (2 is standard) and waste factor (10% default). Adjust the coverage rate manually if your paint can lists a different number.
Step 5: Enter paint price per gallon and select can size — Quart, Gallon, or 5-Gallon bucket.
Step 6: Toggle 'Include primer' if painting new drywall, bare wood, or making a dramatic color change. Primer estimate uses 250 ft²/gal at $20/gal.
Step 7: Click 'Calculate' to see gallons needed, area breakdown, cans to buy, leftover paint, primer (if enabled), and total cost.
Paint Buying Tips
Buy 10–15% Extra
Coverage estimates assume ideal conditions. Real walls have corners, edges, and texture that reduce actual coverage. The waste factor accounts for this — 10% is standard, 15% for textured surfaces.
Prime New Surfaces First
Primer seals porous surfaces and improves paint adhesion. One coat of primer + two coats of paint is more reliable than three coats of paint alone.
Same Batch = Same Color
Even "same color" paint varies between batches. Buy all the paint you need at once to avoid subtle color differences on your walls.
5-Gallon Buckets Save Money
For large projects, 5-gallon buckets save 10–15% per gallon compared to buying individual gallons. Ideal for painting multiple rooms the same color.
Worked Example: Painting a 12 × 10 ft Room
Calculate paint needed for a 12 × 10 ft room with 8 ft ceilings, 2 doors, 1 window, ceiling included:
Step 1 – Wall area: 2 × (12 + 10) × 8 = 352 ft²
Step 2 – Ceiling area: 12 × 10 = 120 ft²
Step 3 – Openings: (2 × 21) + (1 × 15) = 57 ft²
Step 4 – Net paintable area: 352 + 120 − 57 = 415 ft²
Step 5 – With 2 coats and 10% waste: 415 × 2 × 1.10 = 913 ft²
Step 6 – Gallons at 375 ft²/gal: 913 ÷ 375 = 2.44 gallons → buy 3 gallons
Step 7 – Cost: 3 × $45 = $135. Leftover: 0.56 gal for touch-ups.
If primer is needed: 415 ÷ 250 = 1.66 → buy 2 gallons primer (2 × $20 = $40). Total: $175.
Coverage by Paint Brand & Product Line
Published coverage rates from major paint brands. Premium lines consistently outperform budget options — and these are their own published numbers.
| Brand & Product | Type | Coverage per Gallon | Coats | Price Range (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Moore Regal Select | Interior Latex | 400 – 450 ft² | 2 | $65 – $78/gal |
| Benjamin Moore Aura | Interior Latex | 350 – 400 ft² | 1 – 2 | $85 – $100/gal |
| Sherwin-Williams Emerald | Interior Latex | 350 – 400 ft² | 2 | $85 – $100/gal |
| Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint | Interior Latex | 350 – 400 ft² | 2 | $55 – $68/gal |
| Behr Marquee | Interior Latex | 350 – 400 ft² | 1 – 2 | $55 – $65/gal |
| Behr Premium Plus Ultra | Interior Latex | 300 – 400 ft² | 2 | $38 – $48/gal |
| Valspar Reserve | Interior Latex | 350 – 400 ft² | 2 | $42 – $52/gal |
| PPG Timeless | Interior Latex | 350 – 400 ft² | 2 | $35 – $55/gal |
| Budget Store Brand | Interior Latex | 250 – 350 ft² | 2 – 3 | $20 – $35/gal |
Coverage rates assume smooth, previously painted surfaces. Raw or textured surfaces reduce coverage by 20–40%. Prices are 2026 US averages — check local retailers for current pricing.
DIY vs Professional Painting Cost
| Cost Factor | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Paint per gallon | $30 – $60 | Included in quote |
| Supplies (brushes, tape, drop cloths) | $50 – $150 | Included in quote |
| Primer per gallon | $15 – $30 | Included in quote |
| Labor | Free (your time) | $1 – $3 per ft² |
| Average room (12×12) | $100 – $350 | $350 – $900 |
| Whole house (2,000 ft²) | $1,000 – $3,000 | $4,000 – $12,000 |
Labor accounts for 70–85% of professional painting costs. DIY saves significantly but requires time, skill, and proper preparation. Professional results depend on surface prep, which takes 80% of the effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Enter your room dimensions and the calculator estimates gallons based on wall area, ceiling (if included), minus doors and windows. A standard 12×10 ft room with 8 ft ceilings needs about 2 gallons for 2 coats.
One gallon of interior latex paint covers approximately 350–400 ft² on smooth, previously painted drywall. Textured surfaces reduce coverage to 250–300 ft²/gal. Check your paint can for the manufacturer's specific coverage rate.
2 coats is standard for most projects. Use 1 coat for touch-ups or painting over a similar color. Use 3 coats for dramatic color changes, dark-over-light, or when covering stains.
Yes. Standard doors are 21 ft² and windows are 15 ft² each. Subtracting these from total wall area gives a more accurate paint estimate and prevents overbuying.
Toggle the ceiling option in the calculator to include it. Ceiling area equals length × width. Ceilings typically use flat/matte paint and need 1–2 coats.
Primer is recommended for new drywall, bare wood, stained surfaces, and dramatic color changes. The calculator includes a primer toggle that estimates gallons needed at 250 ft²/gal coverage.
Choose the surface closest to what you're painting: Previously Painted (Smooth) for standard repainting, Textured for knockdown/orange peel, New Drywall for unprimed walls, Bare Wood for unstained wood, or Brick/Concrete for masonry.
10% is standard for most interior projects. Increase to 15% for textured surfaces, spraying, or if you want extra for touch-ups. The default of 10% is built into the calculator.
For projects under 1 gallon, quarts are more economical and reduce waste. For larger projects, gallons offer better value. 5-gallon buckets save 10–15% per gallon for big projects.
Select 'Textured (Knockdown/Orange Peel)' as the surface type. This automatically sets coverage to 275 ft²/gal, which accounts for the increased surface area of textured walls.