Paint for an 8 × 8 ft room
This is a small home office, a hobby room or a large walk-in closet. With 8 ft ceilings the four walls have 256 ft² of surface, and after deducting one door (21 ft²) and two windows (30 ft²) there are 205 ft² to paint. The ceiling is 64 ft².
How the number of coats changes it
| Coats | Wall gallons | Buy for walls | Ceiling gallons | Buy for ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 coat | 0.59 | 3 quarts | 0.18 | 1 quart |
| 2 coats | 1.17 | 1 gallon + 1 quart | 0.37 | 2 quarts |
| 3 coats | 1.76 | 2 gallons | 0.55 | 3 quarts |
If your ceilings are taller
| Ceiling height | Wall area | Gallons (2 coats) | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft ceilings | 256 ft² | 1.17 | 1 gallon + 1 quart |
| 9 ft ceilings | 288 ft² | 1.35 | 1 gallon + 2 quarts |
| 10 ft ceilings | 320 ft² | 1.54 | 1 gallon + 3 quarts |
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 | 1.64 | 1 gallon + 3 quarts |
| 300 ft² per gallon | 1.37 | 1 gallon + 2 quarts |
| 350 ft² per gallon | 1.17 | 1 gallon + 1 quart |
| 400 ft² per gallon | 1.03 | 1 gallon + 1 quart |
Trim, tape and prep
The room is 32 ft around. Taping both the ceiling line and the baseboard is 64 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.
An 8 × 8 room: one can and a quart
An 8 × 8 ft room is 32 ft around. With 8 ft walls and a door and two windows deducted there are 205 sq ft to paint, which takes 1.17 gallons for two coats: 1 gallon + 1 quart at the store. The 64 sq ft ceiling needs 0.37 gallons.
Rooms this small often have one window, not two. Each window on this page is counted as 15 sq ft, so with a single window you paint that much more wall and two coats come to 1.26 gallons, which is 1 gallon + 2 quarts; the calculator lets you set your own count. One coat is 0.59 gallons, under a single can, which is all a same-color refresh over sound paint tends to need. Most of the time goes on cutting in, because there is a corner or a frame every few feet.
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 an 8x8 room?
With 8 ft ceilings, one door, two windows and two coats at 350 ft² per gallon, the walls need 1.17 gallons, so buy 1 gallon + 1 quart. If you also paint the ceiling, add 0.37 gallons (2 quarts).
How much paint for the walls and ceiling of an 8x8 room?
Walls and ceiling together need about 1.54 gallons for two coats. That is 1 gallon + 3 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 an 8x8 room?
One coat of primer over the same walls is about 0.59 gallons (3 quarts). 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.