Paint Coverage Calculator
Most paint covers about 350 sqft per gallon on a single coat over a smooth surface. For a typical FL whole-house repaint with two coats on standard 8-foot ceilings, plan on roughly 8–14 gallons of paint depending on home size. This calculator factors in the coats you need, the paint tier you're buying, and whether you need primer — and shows you the all-in material cost (labor not included).
Paint coverage calculator
How many gallons you actually need. 10% waste factor included.
How to use this calculator
- Add up the square footage of all wall surfaces you're painting. A 12×12 room with 8-foot ceilings has roughly 384 sqft of paintable wall.
- Choose your coat count. Two coats is standard for any color change or older paint; one coat for touch-ups; three coats for dramatic color shifts (especially light over dark).
- Pick a paint tier — budget for rentals or quick refresh, mid for most homeowner projects, premium for designer-grade durability.
- Toggle ceilings if you're painting them; flat ceiling paint covers similarly to wall paint.
- Add primer if you have bare drywall, stain blocking needs, or you're doing a major color change (light over dark).
Calculator FAQs
Why does the calculator use 350 sqft per gallon?
That's the published coverage rate for most quality interior paints (Sherwin-Williams ProClassic, Benjamin Moore Regal, Behr Marquee) on a single coat over a smooth, primed surface. Real-world coverage drops 10–20% on textured or porous walls, which is why we add a 10% waste factor to the gallon count.
Should I buy paint at a big-box store or a paint store?
For mid and premium tiers, dedicated paint stores (Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore) usually offer better consistency, custom tinting, and contractor pricing. For budget paint, big-box stores (Home Depot, Lowe's) are fine. Always ask about contractor accounts — even homeowners can sometimes get 10–20% off retail.
Want a real quote from a vetted FL contractor? Request a quote — no obligation.