Paint for a 9 × 10 ft room
This is a child's bedroom or a home office. With 8 ft ceilings the four walls have 304 ft² of surface, and after deducting one door (21 ft²) and two windows (30 ft²) there are 253 ft² to paint. The ceiling is 90 ft².
How the number of coats changes it
| Coats | Wall gallons | Buy for walls | Ceiling gallons | Buy for ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 coat | 0.72 | 3 quarts | 0.26 | 2 quarts |
| 2 coats | 1.45 | 1 gallon + 2 quarts | 0.51 | 3 quarts |
| 3 coats | 2.17 | 2 gallons + 1 quart | 0.77 | 1 gallon |
If your ceilings are taller
| Ceiling height | Wall area | Gallons (2 coats) | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft ceilings | 304 ft² | 1.45 | 1 gallon + 2 quarts |
| 9 ft ceilings | 342 ft² | 1.66 | 1 gallon + 3 quarts |
| 10 ft ceilings | 380 ft² | 1.88 | 2 gallons |
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 | 2.02 | 2 gallons + 1 quart |
| 300 ft² per gallon | 1.69 | 1 gallon + 3 quarts |
| 350 ft² per gallon | 1.45 | 1 gallon + 2 quarts |
| 400 ft² per gallon | 1.27 | 1 gallon + 2 quarts |
Trim, tape and prep
The room is 38 ft around. Taping both the ceiling line and the baseboard is 76 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 9 × 10 room: a child's bedroom or a home office
A 9 × 10 ft room has 253 sq ft of paintable wall after one door and two windows, and the ceiling is 90 sq ft. For two coats the walls need 1.45 gallons, which you buy as 1 gallon + 2 quarts, and the ceiling needs 0.51 gallons.
Children's rooms are where bold colors and stripes get tried. A strong color usually wants a tinted primer underneath, and one coat of primer on these walls is 0.72 gallons. Pick a washable finish such as eggshell or satin for a room that gets fingerprints and crayon, and keep the leftover labeled with the room name for touch-ups.
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Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How many gallons of paint do I need for a 9x10 room?
With 8 ft ceilings, one door, two windows and two coats at 350 ft² per gallon, the walls need 1.45 gallons, so buy 1 gallon + 2 quarts. If you also paint the ceiling, add 0.51 gallons (3 quarts).
How much paint for the walls and ceiling of a 9x10 room?
Walls and ceiling together need about 1.96 gallons for two coats. That is 2 gallons 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 9x10 room?
One coat of primer over the same walls is about 0.72 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.