🎨 Paint Coverage Estimator

Buy exactly what you need for two full coats.

Total Gallons Needed (2 Coats)

Gallons of Paint

Primer required (1 Coat): 0 Gallons

* Calculation assumes an industry standard of 400 Sq.Ft coverage per gallon. Excludes minor subtractions for standard interior doors and windows to act as your buffer zone.

📏 The 400 Square Foot Rule

Professional painters use a rule of thumb for estimating: 1 Gallon = 400 Square Feet of coverage for a single coat.

      Total Gallons = CEIL((Perimeter x Height x 2) / 400)
    

Why 2 Coats? Almost every professional paint job requires two coats for true color depth, durability, and complete coverage of the old color.
Primer Needs: Primer is usually higher solids and lower coverage (approx 300–350 sq.ft). However, since you only need one coat of primer, we use the standard calculation based on the single-coat square footage.
Texture Factors: If your walls are heavily textured (like popcorn or knockdown), your paint coverage can drop by 20–30%. In those cases, round up your gallon count.

💡 Expert Tip

Always check the back of your specific paint can. Higher-end "One Coat Coverage" paints are much thicker and may only cover 300 sq.ft per gallon, while budget paints might spread further but require more coats to look good.

💵 Paint & Primer Material Pricing Guide (2026 Averages)

Understanding typical material and installation costs is key to planning a successful contracting project. Below are regional averages for cost planning.

Paint Formulation	Avg. Cost / Gallon	Recommended Area	Expected Coverage
Standard Latex Wall Primer	$20 - $30	Unfinished drywall, color changes	350 - 400 sq ft / gallon
Interior Wall Paint (Flat/Eggshell)	$35 - $65	Bedrooms, living rooms	350 - 400 sq ft / gallon
Interior Trim Paint (Semi-Gloss)	$45 - $75	Doors, baseboards, casings	300 - 350 sq ft / gallon
Exterior Acrylic House Paint	$50 - $90	Wood, siding, stucco panels	300 - 400 sq ft / gallon

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many square feet does a gallon of paint cover?

One gallon of quality interior paint covers approximately 350 to 400 square feet of wall area with a single coat. Unprimed drywall, textured walls, or major color transformations will require more paint (and a second coat).

Do I need one or two coats of paint?

While high-end 'one-coat' paints exist, two coats are highly recommended for professional, uniform results. The first coat seals the surface, while the second coat adds depth, durability, and ensures even color coverage.