800 sq ft, 2 coats, 350 coverage
- Gallons = 4.57 → round up to 5
construction calculator
Paint Coverage Calculator
Estimate gallons of paint needed based on wall area, coats, and coverage rate.
Results
- Gallons needed
- 4.57
How to use this calculator
- Enter total wall/ceiling area in square feet.
- Enter number of coats and coverage per gallon.
- See gallons needed (round up for purchase).
Inputs explained
- Wall area
- Total square footage to paint (minus major openings if desired).
- Number of coats
- Total coats you plan to apply.
- Coverage per gallon
- Manufacturer coverage rate (sq ft per gallon).
How it works
Paint needed = (area × coats) ÷ coverage rate.
Formula
Gallons = (Area × Coats) / Coverage
When to use it
- Estimating paint for rooms or exteriors before buying.
- Budgeting cost differences between one vs two coats.
- Comparing coverage of different paint brands or sheens.
Tips & cautions
- Rough/porous surfaces reduce coverage; use a lower coverage number to be safe.
- Always round up—leftover paint helps with touch-ups.
- Primers and certain colors (reds, deep blues) may need additional coats.
- Assumes uniform coverage; textured walls and unprimed surfaces can need more paint.
- Does not separate trim, doors, or ceilings—add those areas separately if needed.
- Coverage per gallon is approximate; follow manufacturer data for best accuracy.
Worked examples
Deep dive
This paint calculator multiplies area and coats, then divides by coverage per gallon to estimate gallons needed. Enter area, coats, and coverage to size your paint order before heading to the store.
Use it for interiors or exteriors, and round up for touch-ups. Adjust coverage for rough or unprimed surfaces and add trim/doors separately if needed.
FAQs
- Does this include trim?
- No. Calculate trim separately or add its square footage to the total.
- How many coats should I use?
- Two coats are common for even coverage. Primers or drastic color changes may need more.
- What if my walls are textured?
- Textured/porous surfaces reduce coverage. Lower the coverage rate input or add extra paint for safety.
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Coverage varies with texture and brand. Buy extra for touch-ups.