2 litres: 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 | 20 m² | 10 m² | 6.7 m² |
| 12 m² per litre | 24 m² | 12 m² | 8 m² |
| 13 m² per litre | 26 m² | 13 m² | 8.7 m² |
| 14 m² per litre | 28 m² | 14 m² | 9.3 m² |
Two litres: a ceiling, or two coats on one large wall
Two litres covers 24 m² in one coat at 12 m² per litre and 12 m² with two. That is two coats on a wall 5 m long under a 2.4 m ceiling, or two coats on the ceiling of a room up to 12 m² in floor area.
It is short for the walls of a whole room. Even a 3 × 3 m room takes 4.3 litres for two coats on the walls, which is 3 tins of this size. If your paint is sold in 2 litre tins, check the price against a 5 litre tin before you buy three.
On rough walls or over a dark colour allow 10 m² per litre: 20 m² in one coat and 10 m² in two.
How many 2 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 2 litre tins only.
| Room | Walls | Tins to buy for the walls | Walls + ceiling | Tins to buy for both | 2 L tins alone (walls) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 3 m | 4.28 L | 1 × 5 L | 5.78 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 1 L | 3 |
| 3 × 4 m | 5.08 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 1 L | 7.08 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 3 |
| 4 × 4 m | 5.88 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 1 L | 8.55 L | 1 × 10 L | 3 |
| 4 × 5 m | 6.68 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 10.02 L | 1 × 10 L + 1 × 1 L | 4 |
| 5 × 5 m | 7.48 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 11.65 L | 1 × 10 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 4 |
Worked example
2 × 12 m² per litre = 24 m² in one coat. Two coats halve it: 24 ÷ 2 = 12 m². Divide by the 2.4 m ceiling height for the length of wall: 12 ÷ 2.4 = 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
Affiliate links As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These links do not change what you pay.
Frequently asked questions
How much does 2l of paint cover?
About 24 m² in one coat at the typical 12 m² per litre, or 12 m² with two coats. On rough walls or dark colours, at 10 m² per litre, it is 20 m² in one coat.
Is 2 litres 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 3 tins of this size.
How much wall does 2 litres of paint cover with two coats?
12 m², which is a run of wall 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.