5 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 | 50 m² | 25 m² | 16.7 m² |
| 12 m² per litre | 60 m² | 30 m² | 20 m² |
| 13 m² per litre | 65 m² | 32.5 m² | 21.7 m² |
| 14 m² per litre | 70 m² | 35 m² | 23.3 m² |
Five litres: the walls of a small room
Five litres is 60 m² in one coat at 12 m² per litre, or 30 m² with two coats: 12.5 m of wall under a 2.4 m ceiling. Two coats on the walls of a 3 × 3 m room take 4.3 litres, so one tin does it with 0.7 litres left for touching up.
The next size up is the catch. A 3 × 4 m room takes 5.1 litres, just over the tin, so you need a second small tin or a smoother wall. At 13 m² per litre on good, previously painted walls the same tin stretches to 32.5 m² in two coats.
Do not count on it for the ceiling as well: the walls and ceiling of a 3 × 3 m room together take 5.8 litres.
How many 5 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 5 litre tins only.
| Room | Walls | Tins to buy for the walls | Walls + ceiling | Tins to buy for both | 5 L tins alone (walls) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × 3 m | 4.28 L | 1 × 5 L | 5.78 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 1 L | 1 |
| 3 × 4 m | 5.08 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 1 L | 7.08 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 2 |
| 4 × 4 m | 5.88 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 1 L | 8.55 L | 1 × 10 L | 2 |
| 4 × 5 m | 6.68 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 10.02 L | 1 × 10 L + 1 × 1 L | 2 |
| 5 × 5 m | 7.48 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 11.65 L | 1 × 10 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 2 |
| 5 × 6 m | 8.28 L | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 2.5 L + 1 × 1 L | 13.28 L | 1 × 10 L + 1 × 2.5 L + 1 × 1 L | 2 |
| 6 × 6 m | 9.08 L | 1 × 10 L | 15.08 L | 1 × 10 L + 1 × 5 L + 1 × 1 L | 2 |
| 6 × 8 m | 10.68 L | 1 × 10 L + 1 × 1 L | 18.68 L | 2 × 10 L | 3 |
Worked example
5 × 12 m² per litre = 60 m² in one coat. Two coats halve it: 60 ÷ 2 = 30 m². Divide by the 2.4 m ceiling height for the length of wall: 30 ÷ 2.4 = 12.5 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 5l of paint cover?
About 60 m² in one coat at the typical 12 m² per litre, or 30 m² with two coats. On rough walls or dark colours, at 10 m² per litre, it is 50 m² in one coat.
Is 5 litres of paint enough for a room?
For two coats on the walls, yes up to about a 3 × 3 m room with a 2.4 m ceiling (4.3 litres). A 3 × 4 m room takes 5.1 litres.
How much wall does 5 litres of paint cover with two coats?
30 m², which is a run of wall 12.5 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.