🎨 Paint Planning Tool

Paint Calculator

Stop guessing at the hardware store. Enter your room's dimensions to get an exact gallon count — accounting for doors, windows, coats, and waste.

Room Length (ft)

Room Width (ft)

Ceiling Height (ft)

Number of Coats

Number of Doors

Number of Windows

Paint the Ceiling?

Surface Type

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gallons

Wall Paint Needed

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does one gallon of paint cover?

A standard gallon of latex paint covers approximately 350–400 square feet of smooth wall surface. Textured surfaces (orange peel, knockdown) reduce coverage to around 300 sq ft per gallon. Rough surfaces like concrete or brick may only cover 200 sq ft. Our calculator accounts for surface type automatically.

Should I buy one or two coats of paint?

Two coats is almost always the right answer. One coat looks thin, uneven, and doesn't last as long. For dramatic color changes (light to dark or dark to light), or painting over fresh drywall, three coats may be needed. Use primer before the first coat to improve adhesion and coverage.

Is paint-and-primer-in-one good enough?

For painting over a similar color on a sealed wall, yes. For new drywall, stained walls, dark colors, or glossy surfaces, a separate primer is worth the extra time. True primer bonds better to the surface and dramatically improves the final result.

What's better — latex or oil-based paint?

Latex (water-based) paint is the best choice for most interior walls — easy cleanup, fast drying, low VOCs, and flexible. Oil-based paint is superior for trim, cabinets, and high-traffic areas where you need a hard, durable finish. Most professionals now use water-based alkyd (hybrid) for trim work.