Paint Calculator

Buy the right amount of paint. Every time.

Enter your room dimensions, doors, windows, and coats — and get exact gallon estimates plus a real material and labor cost. 100% free.

Bright modern living room being painted with drop cloths, paint cans, and color swatches

Your project

All measurements in feet.

Paint & cost

Surface breakdown

Walls

396 sq ft

Ceiling

168 sq ft

Trim

0 sq ft

Total paintable

564 sq ft

Total project cost

$180

4 gallons of paint · 2 coats

Paint cost

$180

Primer cost

$0

Labor cost

$0

Effective area

1128 sq ft

4 gallons, $180 all-in.

Your 564 sq ft project needs 4 gallons of paint, applied in 2 coats.

Order 10% extra paint to handle touch-ups and a future repaint of the same room.

Pro tip

Always buy 10% extra. Sealed leftovers make future touch-ups perfect.

Premium

Save multi-room projects, compare quotes, export PDFs.

Unlock unlimited saved estimates, side-by-side comparisons across rooms or houses, and a printable project plan you can hand to a contractor.

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Frequently asked questions

How accurate is a paint calculator?

Within about 10% if you measure carefully. The formula is well-established: paintable square footage divided by coverage per gallon, multiplied by number of coats. Buy 10% extra to handle touch-ups and inevitable spills.

How many gallons of paint do I need for a 12x12 room?

Roughly 1.5–2 gallons for two coats on the walls alone. Add another half-gallon if you're also painting the ceiling, plus a quart of trim paint.

How much paint coverage per gallon?

350 sq ft is the industry standard for smooth, primed walls. Drop to 250–300 sq ft for rough or porous surfaces, and 200 sq ft for heavy texture or popcorn ceilings.

Do I need primer?

Yes for new drywall, bare wood, big color changes (especially light over dark), or stained surfaces. Skip primer when repainting similar colors over previously painted walls.

Is the Paint Calculator free?

Yes — gallon estimates, cost breakdown, and coaching are all free. Premium unlocks saved scenarios for multi-room projects, side-by-side estimates, and a printable PDF project plan.

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