Rooms
Paint Settings
Sprayers use significantly more paint due to overspray
Your Paint Estimate
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gallons total
Finish Paint
— gal
Primer
— gal
Est. Cost
$—
Room-by-Room Breakdown
| Room | Paintable Area | Finish Paint | Primer |
|---|
Shopping List
Pro Tips
New drywall absorbs more
Unpainted drywall soaks up 20–30% more paint. Always prime new drywall first.
Dark to light needs more coats
Covering a dark color with a light one typically needs 3 coats. Use a tinted primer to reduce coat count.
Texture eats paint
Popcorn ceilings can require up to 50% more paint than smooth surfaces. Never skip this adjustment.
Buy at least 10% extra
Store a sealed quart for touch-ups. Paint batches vary — future touch-ups need the same dye lot.
Paint Coverage Rate Reference
| Surface / Condition | Coverage per Gallon | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth drywall (repaint) | 350–400 sq ft | Best case scenario |
| Smooth drywall (new/primed) | 300–350 sq ft | After primer coat |
| Light texture (repaint) | 300–350 sq ft | Common in newer homes |
| Heavy texture / knockdown | 250–300 sq ft | Add 15–20% more paint |
| Popcorn / acoustic ceiling | 150–200 sq ft | Add 50–75% more paint |
| Trim & baseboards | 400–450 sq ft | Smooth surface, semi-gloss finish |
| Interior doors | 400–450 sq ft | Always smooth, semi-gloss recommended |
| Vinyl / fiber cement siding | 300–350 sq ft | Exterior — clean thoroughly first |
| Wood siding | 250–300 sq ft | Porous — prime bare wood first |
| Stucco | 100–150 sq ft | Very porous — always prime |
| Brick | 75–100 sq ft | Highly absorbent — masonry paint recommended |
| Concrete / cinder block | 100–125 sq ft | Use masonry paint or elastomeric |
| Primer (all surfaces) | 200–300 sq ft | Less coverage than finish paint |
Frequently Asked Questions
A 12×12 room with 8-foot ceilings has approximately 384 sq ft of wall space. After subtracting a standard door and window, you have roughly 320 sq ft of paintable wall area. At 350 sq ft per gallon, that's about 1 gallon per coat — so 2 gallons for two coats of walls. Add a separate quart for trim and another gallon if you're painting the ceiling.
A 10×10 room with 8-foot ceilings has about 320 sq ft of wall area. Subtract one door (21 sq ft) and one window (15 sq ft) and you're left with roughly 284 sq ft. At 350 sq ft/gallon, you'll need just under 1 gallon per coat — buy 2 gallons for two coats. Add a quart for trim.
Yes, in most cases. New drywall always needs primer — it absorbs finish paint unevenly without it. For repaints, primer is important when switching from a dark to a light color, when covering stains or smoke damage, or when the existing paint is glossy. Tinted primer reduces the number of finish coats needed when making big color changes.
Surface texture is one of the most overlooked factors in paint estimation. Smooth walls allow a gallon to cover up to 400 sq ft. Light texture (common in newer construction) drops that to 300–350 sq ft. Heavy knockdown texture brings coverage down to 250–300 sq ft. Popcorn ceilings are the most extreme — they can consume 50–75% more paint than flat ceilings.
For roller application, add 10–15% for waste. Brush application adds 5–10%. A paint sprayer adds 20–30% due to overspray. Always buy at least 10% extra for future touch-ups and store it in an airtight container labeled with the room, color name, and paint code.
No — trim, doors, and baseboards should use a semi-gloss or gloss finish paint, which is more durable and scrubbable. Walls typically use eggshell or satin finish. Ceilings use flat/matte finish. Using the right sheen for each surface not only looks better but makes maintenance easier.
Gallons are always cheaper per ounce and are the right choice for any surface requiring more than 1 quart. Quarts (covering roughly 80–100 sq ft) are ideal for trim in small rooms, accent walls, or touch-up reserves. If our calculator shows you need 1.1 gallons, buy 2 gallons — you'll use the extra for touch-ups.