Paint Calculator — Gallons for a Room

Room dimensions, wall height, doors and windows in — gallons to buy out, two coats included.

Wall Paint Calculator

One gallon covers about 350 square feet

That is the industry planning number for one coat on primed drywall; rough or heavily textured walls drink more, and dark colors going over light need a tinted primer. The calculator counts the wall perimeter × height, subtracts about 21 sq ft per door or window, and multiplies by your coat count.

Two coats is the real answer

Almost every repaint wants two topcoats — the second coat is what evens out sheen and hides lap marks. Buying 'just enough' for one thick coat is how you get streaks; two thinner coats beat one heavy one every time.

Buy smart, not just accurate

Paint is sold in quarts and 1- or 5-gallon pails. If the math says 5.2 gallons, a 5-gallon pail plus one quart is cheaper than six singles. And keep a labeled quart of each color for touch-ups years later — colors are never quite the same on a re-tint.

FAQ

How much paint do I need for a 12×12 room?

A 12×12 room with 8-ft ceilings has 384 sq ft of wall; with one door and one window subtracted, about 340 sq ft. Two coats ≈ 680 sq ft ÷ 350 ≈ 2 gallons.

Does ceiling paint count in the wall math?

No — ceilings are calculated separately as floor area × coats, at the same ~350 sq ft per gallon. One coat of ceiling white is typical.

Is it better to buy 5-gallon buckets?

For 5+ gallons of one color, yes — cheaper per gallon and perfectly batched, so there is zero color drift between cans.

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