Paint planning

How Much Paint Does a Room Need?

A practical paint estimate starts with wall area, subtracts openings, multiplies by coats, then adds a small buffer.

Measure the perimeter of the room, multiply by wall height, then subtract about 20 square feet for each door and 15 square feet for each average window.

Two finish coats are normal for most rooms. Add primer when you are painting bare drywall, covering stains, or changing from a dark color to a light color.

Buy enough for the full room at once when color matching matters. A small leftover amount is useful for later touch-ups.