How Many Square Feet Does a Gallon of Paint Cover? Chart
A gallon of paint covers about 350 square feet with one coat on a smooth wall. Two coats cover half that: 175 square feet per gallon. Measure the wall area, take off the doors and windows, multiply by the number of coats and divide by the coverage. The paint calculator does all four steps and rounds up to cans you can buy.
Part of the project planner: Planning to paint a room or a house.
How much a gallon covers on different surfaces
Coverage falls on rough or porous surfaces and in strong colors. The four coverage choices in the calculator, and what a five-gallon pail covers at each:
| Coverage per gallon | Where you will see it | Five-gallon pail, one coat |
|---|---|---|
| 250 ft² per gallon | Rough or textured walls, stucco, or a dark or bold color | 1,250 ft² |
| 300 ft² per gallon | Typical orange-peel or lightly textured wall | 1,500 ft² |
| 350 ft² per gallon | Smooth walls with standard paint (the default) | 1,750 ft² |
| 400 ft² per gallon | Primer, or paint over smooth, sealed drywall | 2,000 ft² |
Gallons of paint by room size
Gallons for the walls, two coats, 8 ft ceilings, one door and two windows. Pick the column that matches your walls:
| Room size | 250 ft² per gallon | 300 ft² per gallon | 350 ft² per gallon | 400 ft² per gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 2.15 | 1.79 | 1.54 | 1.35 |
| 10 × 12 ft | 2.41 | 2.01 | 1.72 | 1.51 |
| 12 × 12 ft | 2.66 | 2.22 | 1.90 | 1.67 |
| 12 × 14 ft | 2.92 | 2.43 | 2.09 | 1.83 |
| 12 × 16 ft | 3.18 | 2.65 | 2.27 | 1.99 |
| 14 × 16 ft | 3.43 | 2.86 | 2.45 | 2.15 |
| 16 × 20 ft | 4.20 | 3.50 | 3.00 | 2.63 |
Round up to the next quart, and to the next gallon if the total is close. Individual rooms have their own pages: how much paint do I need covers rooms, trim and ceilings, and the quick answers for a 12 × 12 room and a 10 × 12 room are one click away.
How many square feet do 1, 2, 3 and 5 gallons cover?
At 350 square feet per gallon per coat:
| Paint | One coat | Two coats | Three coats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 gallon | 350 ft² | 175 ft² | 117 ft² |
| 2 gallons | 700 ft² | 350 ft² | 233 ft² |
| 3 gallons | 1,050 ft² | 525 ft² | 350 ft² |
| 5 gallons | 1,750 ft² | 875 ft² | 583 ft² |
The formula in three lines
- Wall area = 2 × (length + width) × ceiling height.
- Paintable area = wall area less 21 ft² for each door and 15 ft² for each window.
- Gallons = paintable area × coats ÷ coverage per gallon (350 unless the can says otherwise).
For the outside of a house use the exterior paint calculator, and see how much paint to paint a house. Paint is sold by the quart, gallon and five-gallon pail; buy one extra quart for touch-ups. Coverage is an estimate: the figure on your paint can wins.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet does a gallon of paint cover?
About 350 square feet for one coat on a smooth wall, which is 175 square feet when you apply the usual two coats. Rough or dark surfaces cover less, around 250 to 300 square feet.
How many gallons of paint do I need for a 12x12 room?
The walls of a 12 × 12 ft room with 8 ft ceilings, one door and two windows need 1.90 gallons for two coats, so buy 2 gal. With the ceiling too it is 2.73 gallons.
How many square feet does a quart of paint cover?
A quart is a quarter of a gallon, so about 88 square feet for one coat.
How much does a 5-gallon pail of paint cover?
About 1,750 square feet for one coat, or 875 square feet for two coats, at 350 square feet per gallon.
Does the paint can say how much it covers?
Yes. The label gives the coverage per gallon for that paint on a smooth, primed surface. Use that number in the calculator instead of the default if it differs.
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.