Calculate Paint Quantity and Painting Cost
~21 sq ft each
~15 sq ft each
Smooth: 100-120. Rough: 70-90.
Price per litre in your currency.
Estimates only. Actual paint quantity varies with surface texture, product, and application method. Always check the coverage rate on your paint can.
Result Summary
area × coats
0 L × 0/L
Calculate Paint Required for Your Walls or Room
Use this paint calculator to estimate how much paint you need for your walls or room. Enter your measurements, select the number of coats, and provide the paint coverage rate to calculate the estimated paint quantity in litres.
For a single wall, enter its width and height. For a room, measure the walls you want to paint. If you also want to paint the ceiling, calculate its area separately. Subtract doors and windows that will not be painted, where applicable.
The amount of paint you need depends on the paintable area, number of coats, paint coverage, and surface condition. Check the paint container or manufacturer's instructions for the recommended coverage rate.
How Much Paint Do You Need?
Paint quantity depends on the total paintable surface area, the number of coats, and the coverage rate of your specific paint product.
How much paint for 100 sq. ft.?
For a 100 sq ft wall, assuming the paint covers 100 sq ft per litre per coat, you need approximately 1 litre for one coat or 2 litres for two coats. This estimate excludes extra paint for touch-ups and wastage. Actual requirements depend on the paint product and the condition of the wall.
How much paint for 1,000 sq. ft.?
Suppose you need to paint 1,000 square feet of wall area, the paint covers 100 square feet per litre per coat, and you plan to apply two coats.
Paint required = 1,000 × 2 ÷ 100 = 20 litres
This is the estimated quantity before any extra allowance for waste, touch-ups, or package-size rounding. The actual amount may vary with the paint product and surface condition.
How much paint does 1 litre cover?
One litre of paint can cover approximately 100-120 square feet of a smooth wall with one coat, depending on the paint product and surface condition. Actual coverage varies by manufacturer, paint type, surface texture, and application method, so always check the coverage rate on the paint container or technical data sheet. Rough, porous, or unprimed surfaces may require more paint than smooth, prepared walls. Exterior masonry paint and specialist finishes can also have different coverage rates.
How Much Area Does 1 Litre of Paint Cover?
One litre of paint can cover approximately 100-120 square feet of a smooth wall with one coat, depending on the paint product and surface condition. Actual coverage varies by manufacturer, paint type, surface texture, and application method, so always check the coverage rate on the paint container or refer to official manufacturer resources such as Dulux's paint coverage and calculation guidance.
Rough, porous, or unprimed surfaces may require more paint than smooth, prepared walls. Exterior masonry paint and specialist finishes can also have different coverage rates.
How to Calculate Paint Coverage in Litres
Use this formula to estimate the amount of paint required:
To calculate the paintable area:
- Measure the width and height of each wall.
- Multiply the width by the height to calculate each wall's area.
- Add the areas of the walls you plan to paint.
- Subtract the areas of doors and windows that will not be painted.
- Multiply the remaining area by the number of coats.
- Divide by the paint's coverage rate per litre.
Example: How Much Paint Is Needed for 1,000 Square Feet?
Suppose you need to paint 1,000 square feet of wall area, the paint covers 100 square feet per litre per coat, and you plan to apply two coats:
This is the estimated quantity before any extra allowance for waste, touch-ups, or package-size rounding. The actual amount may vary with the paint product and surface condition.
| Wall Area | 1 Coat (100 sq ft/L) | 2 Coats |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 1 L | 2 L |
| 200 sq ft | 2 L | 4 L |
| 500 sq ft | 5 L | 10 L |
| 1,000 sq ft | 10 L | 20 L |
| 1,500 sq ft | 15 L | 30 L |
| 2,000 sq ft | 20 L | 40 L |
How to Calculate Paint for a Wall, Room, or Ceiling
To estimate how much paint you need, calculate the surface area you plan to paint, not just the floor area of the room. Measure the walls or ceiling, subtract any doors and windows you will not paint, and use the paint's stated coverage rate to estimate the required litres. If you need to calculate irregular wall dimensions or convert units between square feet and square meters, you can use our Area Calculator to determine your total surface area first.
How Much Paint Do You Need for One Wall?
For a single wall, multiply its width by its height to calculate the area:
For example, a wall that is 12 feet wide and 9 feet high has an area of 108 square feet. If a door or window will not be painted, subtract its area from 108 square feet before estimating the paint required. The amount of paint you need will depend on the product's coverage rate and the number of coats.
How to Calculate Paint for a Whole Room
To calculate the area of four rectangular walls, add the room's length and width, then multiply the result by twice the wall height:
Next, subtract the area of any doors and windows that will not be painted. Multiply the remaining area by the number of coats, then divide by the paint's coverage per litre. Remember that a room's floor area is different from its total wall area. For a more useful estimate, measure the room dimensions and wall height.
How to Calculate Paint for a Ceiling
For a rectangular ceiling, multiply the room's length by its width:
Use the ceiling area as the paintable surface area, then account for the number of coats and the coverage rate stated for your paint. Calculate the ceiling separately from the walls so you can estimate its paint requirement independently.
How Do You Calculate the Total Paint Required?
Use this formula for walls or ceilings:
For example, if the net paintable area is 500 square feet, the paint covers 130 square feet per litre per coat, and you need two coats: 500 × 2 ÷ 130 = 7.69 litres. This is an estimate. The actual quantity depends on the paint product and surface, so check the coverage information on the paint container or technical data sheet.
Paint Cost Calculator: Estimate Your Painting Cost
The cost of painting a room depends on how much paint you need, the price per litre, the number of coats, and whether you are doing the work yourself or hiring a painter. A paint cost calculator helps you estimate material expenses before buying paint or planning your project.
How to Calculate Paint Cost
You can estimate the paint cost using this simple formula:
For example, if your project requires 10 litres of paint, multiply 10 by the price per litre of the paint you plan to buy. This gives you the estimated paint cost before labour and other expenses.
What Affects the Total Painting Cost?
- Paint quantity: Larger paintable areas and additional coats generally require more paint.
- Paint type and price: Different products have different prices and coverage rates.
- Surface condition: Rough, porous, or poorly prepared surfaces may require more paint or preparation.
- Primer and additional materials: Include primer and putty if your project requires them.
- Labour charges: If you hire a painter, calculate labour separately from the paint cost.
- Walls and ceilings: Include each surface you intend to paint so your estimate reflects the full project.
How to Estimate the Cost of Painting a Room
First, calculate the net area of the walls and ceiling you plan to paint. Subtract doors and windows that will not be painted, then estimate the paint quantity based on the product's coverage rate and the number of coats.
Use the paint cost calculator above to estimate your paint quantity and material cost. The result is an estimate rather than a final contractor quote. Actual costs depend on the paint product, surface preparation, labour arrangement, and project requirements.
| Cost Item | Unit / Rate Basis |
|---|---|
| Interior emulsion paint | Per litre (100–120 sq ft coverage) |
| Exterior weather coat | Per litre (60–80 sq ft coverage) |
| Primer coat | Per litre (70–90 sq ft coverage) |
| Labour (interior walls) | Per square foot of paintable area |
| Surface preparation / putty | Per square foot of surface |
Paint Coverage by Type and Surface
Paint coverage depends on the type of paint you use and the surface you are painting. Interior wall paint, gloss paint, exterior masonry paint, and primer can all have different coverage rates. For a reliable estimate, check the coverage per litre on the product label or technical data sheet.
Interior Paint Coverage Calculator
For interior walls, calculate the paintable wall area, subtract doors and windows you will not paint, and enter the coverage rate for your chosen paint. Typical coverage ranges from approximately 100 to 120 sq ft per litre (8-14 m² per litre) for matt or emulsion paint, and 120-140 sq ft per litre for eggshell or satin finishes. Treat these as indicative ranges, not universal rates.
Gloss Paint Coverage Calculator
Gloss paint is commonly used on surfaces such as doors, trim, and metal. Your paint requirement depends on the product's stated coverage, the condition of the surface, and the number of coats. Gloss paint typically covers 90-110 sq ft per litre on smooth surfaces. Divide total area by coverage per litre and multiply by number of coats.
Exterior and Masonry Paint Coverage Calculator
Exterior masonry paint is used on suitable exterior surfaces such as rendered or masonry walls. Rough or porous surfaces can absorb more paint and reduce coverage compared with smooth, prepared surfaces. Indicative coverage ranges between 60 and 80 sq ft per litre (approximately 6-10 m² per litre). Actual coverage varies by product and wall condition.
How Does Surface Condition Affect Paint Coverage?
- Smooth, prepared surfaces: May provide better coverage than rough or porous surfaces.
- Rough or porous surfaces: Can absorb more paint and require additional material.
- Unprimed surfaces: May need a suitable primer before the finish coats.
- Major colour changes: May require primer or additional coats to achieve an even finish.
Does the Number of Coats Change Paint Quantity?
Yes. Each coat uses additional paint. If the area and coverage rate stay the same, two coats require approximately twice as much paint as one coat. Use this formula:
Paint required (litres) = Paintable area × Number of coats ÷ Coverage per litre
Related Calculators
- Brick Calculator : Estimate the number of bricks and mortar needed for a wall.
- Concrete Mix Calculator : Calculate cement, sand, and aggregate volume ratios.
- Area Calculator : Convert and calculate area between square feet, square meters, ropani, aana, and bigha.
Frequently Asked Questions
1How can I calculate how much paint I need?
Measure the surface you want to paint, subtract the area of doors and windows if they will not be painted, and multiply the result by the number of coats. Then divide by the paint's coverage per litre.
Formula:
Check the paint container or technical data sheet for its stated coverage rate.
2How much paint do I need for a 100 sq ft wall?
For a 100 sq ft wall, assuming the paint covers 100 sq ft per litre per coat, you would need approximately 1 litre for one coat or 2 litres for two coats. This estimate excludes extra paint for touch-ups and wastage.
Actual requirements depend on the paint product and the condition of the wall.
3How much paint do I need for 500 sq ft?
For 500 sq ft of paintable surface, using a coverage rate of 100 sq ft per litre per coat, the estimate is 5 litres for one coat or 10 litres for two coats.
Use the coverage rate on your chosen paint product for a more accurate result.
4How much paint do I need for a 12 × 12 room?
A room measuring 12 × 12 ft has a floor area of 144 sq ft, but that is not the total area of its walls. To calculate wall paint, you also need the wall height and the area of any doors or windows that will not be painted.
For the ceiling, the area would be 144 sq ft if the ceiling has the same length and width as the floor. Calculate walls and ceiling separately if both will be painted.
5How much area does 1 litre of paint cover?
A typical estimate is around 100–120 sq ft per litre for one coat on a smooth wall, but coverage varies by product and surface. Rough, porous, or unprepared surfaces may require more paint.
Always check the manufacturer's coverage information.
6What is the formula for calculating paint coverage in litres?
First calculate the net paintable area. Divide that area by the coverage per litre, then multiply by the number of coats.
For example, a 500 sq ft surface using paint that covers 130 sq ft per litre per coat requires approximately 7.7 litres for two coats:
7Does a paint calculator include doors, windows, and ceilings?
That depends on the calculator. A room-based calculator may ask for wall dimensions and openings, while some tools also include ceilings, trim, or other surfaces.
Check which measurements and surfaces the tool supports before relying on its estimate.
8How do I calculate paint cost?
Multiply the required litres by the price per litre to estimate the paint cost. If you want the full project cost, add any primer, other materials, and labour charges that apply.
Prices vary by product and location, so use current local prices rather than relying on estimates from another country.