For Your Home

Interior Painting Guide


STEP 3 – Estimate the Correct Amount of Paint

You can get a fairly accurate idea of how much paint you’ll need for your project using this simple calculator.

PAINT CALCULATOR

How much paint do you need? Complete our step-by-step calculator to find out.
View Paint Calculator

CALCULATE HOW MUCH PAINT YOU WILL NEED

The average bedroom requires 1 gallon (3.70 liters) of wall paint. A one gallon (3.70 liter) can of wall paint covers about 375 – 400 square feet (35 to 37 square meters). Calculate one room at a time and determine if you need 1 or 2 coats.

  • One (1) coat of premium paint will cover most surfaces when you are painting over a similar color.
  • Two (2) coats may be required for major color changes, painting over damaged or old surfaces or if you desire greater durability and coverage.
EXAMPLE:
Your room to be painted is 12’ x 14’ with 8’ ceilings (3.65m x 4.26m x 2.4m). Calculate the total surface area by multiplying the width by the height for each wall and add them together.
2 x (12 x 8) + 2 x (14 x 8) = 416 sq.ft.
or
2 x (3.65 x 2.4) + 2 x (4.26 x 2.4) = 38.6 sq. meter

FORMULA:
total surface area / coverage per can = amount required
416 / 375 = 1.1 gallon (3.70 liter) cans

Do you have questions?

Contact a local Cloverdale Paint store – we’ll be happy to help!