1 litre: area covered by coverage and coats
Use the coverage printed on your tin. 12 m² per litre is typical for emulsion.
| Coverage on the tin | 1 coat | 2 coats | 3 coats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 m² per litre | 10 m² | 5 m² | 3.3 m² |
| 12 m² per litre | 12 m² | 6 m² | 4 m² |
| 13 m² per litre | 13 m² | 6.5 m² | 4.3 m² |
| 14 m² per litre | 14 m² | 7 m² | 4.7 m² |
One litre: a feature wall or an alcove
One litre at 12 m² per litre is 12 m² in a single coat, or 6 m² with two coats. With a 2.4 m ceiling that is a wall 2.5 m wide, so a 1 litre tin suits a chimney breast, an alcove or one short feature wall.
It is not enough for a ceiling in most rooms: the ceiling of a 3 × 3 m room takes 1.5 litres for two coats. For the walls of that room you would need 5 tins of this size, and larger tins usually cost less per litre.
A single freshening coat in the same colour goes twice as far: 12 m², which is 5 m of wall.
How many 1 litre tins for a room
Two coats at 12 m² per litre, 2.4 m ceiling, one door and one window. "Tins to buy" is the mix of 10, 5, 2.5 and 1 litre tins that the paint calculator gives for that room, and the walls and ceiling columns use the same paint on both. The last column is the count if you buy the wall paint in 1 litre tins only.
| Room | Walls | Tins to buy for the walls | Walls + ceiling | Tins to buy for both | 1 L tins alone (walls) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 3 m | 4.28 L | 1 × 5 L | 5.78 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 1 L | 5 |
| 3 × 4 m | 5.08 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 1 L | 7.08 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 6 |
| 4 × 4 m | 5.88 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 1 L | 8.55 L | 1 × 10 L | 6 |
| 4 × 5 m | 6.68 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 10.02 L | 1 × 10 L + 1 × 1 L | 7 |
| 5 × 5 m | 7.48 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 11.65 L | 1 × 10 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 8 |
Worked example
1 × 12 m² per litre = 12 m² in one coat. Two coats halve it: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 m². Divide by the 2.4 m ceiling height for the length of wall: 6 ÷ 2.4 = 2.5 m.
Other tin sizes
| Size | One coat | Two coats | Wall run, two coats (2.4 m high) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 ml tester | 0.36 m² | 0.18 m² | a test patch |
| 1 litre | 12 m² | 6 m² | 2.5 m |
| 2 litres | 24 m² | 12 m² | 5 m |
| 2.5 litres | 30 m² | 15 m² | 6.25 m |
| 5 litres | 60 m² | 30 m² | 12.5 m |
| 10 litres | 120 m² | 60 m² | 25 m |
For your own room use the paint calculator, which gives the litres and the tins to buy. The tin coverage chart puts 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 litre tins side by side at each coverage.
Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Paint Calculator (UK, litres): edit any number and the results update instantly.
Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How much does 1l of paint cover?
About 12 m² in one coat at the typical 12 m² per litre, or 6 m² with two coats. On rough walls or dark colours, at 10 m² per litre, it is 10 m² in one coat.
Is 1 litre of paint enough for a room?
Not for two coats on the walls. A 3 × 3 m room with a 2.4 m ceiling, one door and one window takes 4.3 litres, which is 5 tins of this size.
How much wall does 1 litre of paint cover with two coats?
6 m², which is a run of wall 2.5 m long under a 2.4 m ceiling, before taking off doors and windows.
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 the Building Regulations and your supplier's guidance before ordering.