How much paint do I need for one room?

Calculate wall area (2 × (length + width) × height), subtract doors/windows, then divide by 350 sq ft per gallon. Multiply by number of coats.

How many coats of paint do I need?

Most jobs need 2 coats. Use 3 coats when covering dark colors or using light colors over dark.

One gallon covers 350-400 sq ft on smooth surfaces. Textured walls may need 20-30% more paint.

Yes. Standard doors are about 21 sq ft (3×7 ft) and windows average 15 sq ft (3×5 ft).

Calculate how much paint you need for any room. Get gallon estimates, account for doors and windows, and estimate costs.

Measure wall area, subtract doors and windows, divide by coverage rate, then multiply by number of coats. This calculator handles it automatically.

Calculate wall area: For rooms with 8-foot ceilings, multiply the room perimeter (in feet) by 8
Subtract openings: Deduct 21 sq ft per door and 15 sq ft per window
Divide by 350 (sq ft per gallon) to get gallons per coat
Multiply by 2 (most jobs need two coats)
Round up to the nearest gallon

2 coats: Standard for most projects, even with "one-coat" paint
3 coats: Dark-to-light color changes, covering reds/oranges/yellows
Primer + 2 coats: New drywall, bare wood, or dramatic color changes. A tinted primer saves paint and money

Flat/matte: Hides imperfections, best for ceilings and low-traffic rooms. Hardest to clean
Eggshell: Slight sheen, good for living rooms and bedrooms. Easy to wipe
Satin: Moderate sheen, durable. Best for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways
Semi-gloss: Highly washable. Best for trim, doors, cabinets, and high-moisture areas

Buy all paint from the same batch number to ensure consistent color
Keep leftover paint for touch-ups — matching colors later is difficult
Higher-quality paint ($40-60/gallon) covers better and lasts longer than budget paint, often saving money by requiring fewer coats
Use a tinted primer when changing colors significantly — it costs $25-35/gallon but can eliminate an entire coat of expensive topcoat