Paint for a 10 × 11 ft room
This is a secondary bedroom or a study. With 8 ft ceilings the four walls have 336 ft² of surface, and after deducting one door (21 ft²) and two windows (30 ft²) there are 285 ft² to paint. The ceiling is 110 ft².
How the number of coats changes it
| Coats | Wall gallons | Buy for walls | Ceiling gallons | Buy for ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 coat | 0.81 | 1 gallon | 0.31 | 2 quarts |
| 2 coats | 1.63 | 1 gallon + 3 quarts | 0.63 | 3 quarts |
| 3 coats | 2.44 | 2 gallons + 2 quarts | 0.94 | 1 gallon |
If your ceilings are taller
| Ceiling height | Wall area | Gallons (2 coats) | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft ceilings | 336 ft² | 1.63 | 1 gallon + 3 quarts |
| 9 ft ceilings | 378 ft² | 1.87 | 2 gallons |
| 10 ft ceilings | 420 ft² | 2.11 | 2 gallons + 1 quart |
If your walls are rough or your paint covers less
The label on your can gives its coverage. Rough or textured walls and dark colors cover less, so the amounts go up:
| Coverage | Gallons (2 coats) | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 250 ft² per gallon | 2.28 | 2 gallons + 2 quarts |
| 300 ft² per gallon | 1.90 | 2 gallons |
| 350 ft² per gallon | 1.63 | 1 gallon + 3 quarts |
| 400 ft² per gallon | 1.43 | 1 gallon + 2 quarts |
Trim, tape and prep
The room is 42 ft around. Taping both the ceiling line and the baseboard is 84 ft of painter's tape, which is 1 roll of 60 yard tape. A quart of trim paint usually covers the baseboards and window and door casings for a room this size, and a gallon of primer is worth having for stains and patches.
Paint one wall at a time from the ceiling down, "cut in" the edges with a brush before rolling, and keep a wet edge to avoid lap marks. Let the first coat dry fully before the second, as the can directs.
A 10 × 11 room: the same paint as a 9 × 12
A 10 × 11 ft room measures 42 ft around, so with 8 ft walls and one door and two windows taken off there are 285 sq ft to paint. That is 1.63 gallons for two coats, or 1 gallon + 3 quarts at the store, plus 0.63 gallons for the 110 sq ft ceiling.
Paint follows the distance around the room, not the floor area, which is why a 10 × 11 and a 9 × 12 need the same amount for the walls even though their ceilings differ. If your room is a few inches off these dimensions the order does not change. What does change it is a closet: paint the inside of a reach-in closet and you add three short walls, so enter them in the calculator as extra length.
Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Paint Calculator: edit any number and the results update instantly.
Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How many gallons of paint do I need for a 10x11 room?
With 8 ft ceilings, one door, two windows and two coats at 350 ft² per gallon, the walls need 1.63 gallons, so buy 1 gallon + 3 quarts. If you also paint the ceiling, add 0.63 gallons (3 quarts).
How much paint for the walls and ceiling of a 10x11 room?
Walls and ceiling together need about 2.26 gallons for two coats. That is 2 gallons + 2 quarts if you use the same paint on both, though ceilings are usually painted with a separate flat ceiling paint.
How much primer do I need for a 10x11 room?
One coat of primer over the same walls is about 0.81 gallons (1 gallon). Primer often covers a little less than paint on bare surfaces, so check the can.
Related sizes and guides
Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.