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Paint Calculator
Enter your room size and find out exactly how many gallons of paint you need. The calculator counts your doors, windows, coats and ceiling for you.
Find Out How Much Paint You Need
Enter your room size and get your paint in gallons, in seconds.
Budget pick (1 coat)Good for a fresh room in a similar color
Pro pick (with primer)Best color payoff and longest life
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How It Works
Step 1: Enter your room sizeType your room length, width and ceiling height in feet. Measure wall to wall for the best result.
Step 2: Add doors, windows and coatsTell the calculator how many doors and windows to subtract, and how many coats you plan to roll on.
Step 3: Get your gallonsThe calculator shows exactly how much paint to buy, with a budget pick and a pro pick to compare.
Formula Used in This Calculator
This calculator works out your true paintable area first, then turns it into gallons:
Wall area = 2 x (Length + Width) x Ceiling height Openings = (Doors x 21 sq ft) + (Windows x 15 sq ft) Paintable area = (Wall area - Openings + Ceiling area) x Coats Gallons needed = Paintable area / 350 One gallon of paint covers about 350 sq ft of smooth wall per coat. The final number is rounded up to full gallons, so you never run out mid wall.Related Tools
Paint Chart (Quick Guide)
| Room size | Walls only, 2 coats | Walls + ceiling, 2 coats |
|---|---|---|
| 10 x 10 ft | 2 gallons | 3 gallons |
| 12 x 12 ft | 3 gallons | 3 gallons |
| 12 x 15 ft | 3 gallons | 4 gallons |
| 15 x 20 ft | 4 gallons | 5 gallons |
3 Paint Rules That Save Money
- Buy 10 percent extra: keep a little paint for touch ups and color matching later.
- Prime dark or bare walls: one primer coat means fewer finish coats and richer color.
- Two thin coats win: thin coats dry smoother and last longer than one thick coat.
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Paint Calculator FAQs
How much paint do I need for a 12 x 12 room?About 3 gallons for the walls with 2 coats. Add 1 more gallon if you paint the ceiling as well.
How much does one gallon of paint cover?One gallon covers about 350 sq ft per coat on smooth walls. Rough or textured walls drink a bit more.
Do I really need two coats?For a color change, yes. Two coats give even color and hide the old shade. One coat only works for a refresh in the same color.
Should I subtract doors and windows?Yes. A standard door is about 21 sq ft and a window about 15 sq ft. This calculator subtracts them for you.
What Our Readers Say
★★★★★
I bought exactly what this tool said for my living room. Two gallons, zero left over panic, zero second trip to the store.
Emily S., Boston
★★★★★
The door and window subtraction is smart. My old estimate was a full gallon too high.
Marcus L., Dallas
★★★★★
Painted my whole studio with the pro pick. Primer plus two coats and the color looks rich and even.
Hannah W., Nashville
★★★★★
Super simple. Typed my room size, got my gallons, ordered paint the same evening.
Chris D., Phoenix
★★★★★
Used it for three bedrooms before a big paint weekend. Every single room came out right.
Laura P., Atlanta
★★★★★
The ceiling option saved me. I always forget the ceiling and run short. Not this time.
Kevin B., Chicago
Still Not Sure? Ask Us
Send us your room size and a photo of your space, and we will help you pick the right option for free.
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