Paint for a 3 × 3 m room, by number of coats
These figures assume a 2.4 m ceiling, one door and one window, and emulsion that covers 12 m² per litre. The last two columns include the ceiling in the same paint.
| Coats | Walls (litres) | Tins for the walls | Walls + ceiling (litres) | Tins for both |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 coat | 2.1 | 1 × 2.5 L | 2.9 | 1 × 2.5 L + 1 × 1 L |
| 2 coats | 4.3 | 1 × 2.5 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 5.8 | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 1 L |
| 3 coats | 6.4 | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 2.5 L | 8.7 | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 2.5 L + 1 × 2.5 L |
What if the ceiling is higher?
Taller rooms need more paint, because the wall area grows with the height. Walls only, two coats:
| Ceiling height | Litres | Tins |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4 m | 4.3 | 1 × 2.5 L + 1 × 2.5 L |
| 2.7 m | 4.9 | 1 × 2.5 L + 1 × 2.5 L |
| 3 m | 5.5 | 1 × 5 L + 1 × 1 L |
About a 3 × 3 m room
This size is typical of a box room, small bedroom, nursery or study. The calculation takes off a door and a window; add more windows or doors in the calculator above. It does not include woodwork such as skirting boards, doors and frames, or a mist coat on new plaster.
Before you buy
Buy all the paint for the room together and mix the tins in one container so the colour is identical on every wall. For a bigger project the room decorating materials calculator adds the filler, tape and brushes, and the wallpaper calculator works out rolls if you would rather paper a wall.
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 paint do I need for a 3m x 3m room?
For a 3 × 3 m room with a 2.4 m ceiling, one door and one window, you need about 4.3 litres for the walls with two coats, and 5.8 litres including the ceiling. That is 1 × 2.5 L + 1 × 2.5 L for the walls.
How many tins of paint for a 3m x 3m room?
Two coats on the walls is 4.3 litres, so buy 1 × 2.5 L + 1 × 2.5 L. If you are painting the ceiling with the same paint, buy 1 × 5 L + 1 × 1 L. Larger tins cost less per litre.
How much wall area is a 3m x 3m room?
With a 2.4 m ceiling the four walls are 28.8 m². One door and one window take off 3.1 m², leaving 25.7 m² to paint.
Related sizes and guides
Related sizes
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.