Room dimensions
Measure one room and multiply by the number of similar rooms. Door and window areas subtract from the wall surface automatically.
Custom surfaces
Add rectangles, circles, or direct areas for cabinets, feature walls, or outdoor elements. Multiply by quantity to reduce repetitive typing.
Coverage assumes flat surfaces. Add trim or doors separately if the finish or absorption differs.
Quick area conversion
Enter total wall or ceiling area directly if you already have measurements from another tool.
Paint settings
Estimates only. Final coverage depends on the product label, surface texture, and application method. Confirm with your paint supplier or contractor.
Quick guide (and a “5 gallons” example)
This paint coverage calculator turns surface area into paint volume using three main ideas:
- Per coat: paint = area ÷ coverage.
- Multiple coats: multiply by the number of coats (and add primer coats if you use primer).
- Waste & absorption: multiply by your waste allowance and substrate absorption settings.
Need a surface-specific tool? Try Interior paint (simple), Exterior paint, Roof paint, Fence paint, Deck paint, House paint cost estimate, or DFT/WFT & paint consumption.
How much does 5 gallons of paint cover?
Coverage depends on the product label and the surface. As a planning range, many interior paints list roughly 300–400 ft² per gallon per coat. For example, at 350 ft²/gal, 5 gallons covers about 1,750 ft² for one coat (before waste and extra absorption on rough/new surfaces).
Tips to get closer to real usage
- Use the exact coverage printed on your paint can (ft²/gal or m²/L). Different finishes and brands can vary.
- Porous or rough surfaces (new drywall, bare wood, stucco/masonry) usually need more paint or primer.
- Big colour changes (dark → light) often need extra coats.
- Spraying and heavy rolling typically increase waste compared with careful cutting-in and rolling.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate are these paint coverage estimates?
Results are planning values based on the coverage rate, absorption multiplier, and waste allowance you select. Real projects may need more or less paint depending on product formulation, surface porosity, temperature, humidity, and technique. Always confirm with the product label and your paint supplier or contractor.
What presets does this calculator use?
The calculator defaults to 400 ft²/gal for flat finishes, 350 ft²/gal for eggshell, 300 ft²/gal for semi-gloss, and 200 ft²/gal for primer. Absorption multipliers range from 1.00 for previously painted drywall up to 1.50 for rough stucco and are built into the tool as presets. In this version, coverage is calculated in ft²/gal internally and liters are displayed as a converted result, while metric m²/L values are mainly used for labels and future improvements. If your preferred paint line lists different coverage or absorption on the can, you can enter those values in the advanced coverage fields.
How much does 5 gallons of paint cover?
It depends on your paint’s label coverage, the number of coats, and the surface. As a quick planning example, if your paint is rated at 350 ft²/gal, then 5 gallons covers about 1,750 ft² for one coat (before waste and extra absorption). For two coats, you would roughly halve that area, then add your waste allowance.
Comments
Share feedback or tips about planning a paint project.