How much paint do I need?
Same calculator family as the main paint page, framed for the natural-language question. People landing here often have a single room and a Saturday. Put in the box dimensions, count the holes in the walls (doors and windows), choose coats, and take the gallon count to the paint desk. If you are deep in coverage rates and leftover cans, switch to the paint coverage calculator.
+10% so you don't come up short
Estimate only — not a contractor bid. Confirm bag yields and local codes before you pour or order.
When to use
Literal search intent; explaining the buy list to someone else; one-room refresh.
When not to
Whole-house exterior takeoffs without breaking elevations. Spray equipment tip sizes — out of scope.
Assumptions
Same defaults as the paint calculator: door ≈ 20 sq ft, window ≈ 15 sq ft, 2 coats, 350 sq ft/gal, 10% waste.
Worked examples
Example 1
10×11×8 room, 2 doors, 1 window, 2 coats
→ ~2 gallons typical at 350 coverage with waste
Example 2
Hallway 3×12×8, no windows, 1 door, 2 coats
→ Often 1 gallon — still buy enough for touch-up from the same lot
How it calculates
Measure the room you are standing in, not the floor-plan brochure. Subtract openings, apply coats and coverage.
- Enter room L×W×H and door/window counts.
- Set coats and coverage from the can label.
- Read gallons on the ticket with waste included.
Identical wall-area method as the paint calculator.
Common traps
- Closets add surface area people forget.
- Trim and doors are separate SKUs if you are changing colors.
- Sample pots are for testing, not for finishing a wall.
Next tool
Full options + primer line → paint calculator.
Coverage / leftover cans → paint coverage calculator.
FAQ
Walls only, 8 ft ceilings, two coats: often around 2 gallons after openings and waste — run your actual door/window count.
Related
Estimate only — not a contractor bid or engineered takeoff. Confirm bag yields and local codes before you pour or order.