Paint Coverage Calculator — exact gallons needed
Enter your room dimensions, coat count, and paint tier — get the exact gallons to buy. No more guessing, no more two trips to the store.
How paint coverage actually works
Most paint cans say “covers up to 400 sq ft per gallon.” That number is best-case — smooth, primed, white drywall. Real-world coverage is lower for most projects.
What lowers coverage
- Textured surfaces (knockdown, popcorn, stucco) absorb 20–30% more paint.
- Dark or saturated colors need 3 coats instead of 2 — sometimes with a tinted primer.
- Bare drywall or new plaster needs a primer coat first; finish paint coverage stays normal.
- Cheaper paint covers ~25% less per gallon than premium lines like Aura or Emerald.
Why we always recommend buying an extra quart
Tinted paint is mixed in batches. Two cans of the same color with the same code can be very slightly off if they were tinted weeks apart. Touch-ups years later almost always show against the original — unless you have leftover from the same batch. A leftover quart is the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy.
Paint we specify on real projects
On our jobs we default to Benjamin Moore Regal Select or Aura for walls and Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel for trim and cabinets. The premium tier covers better, washes better, and lasts longer. See the full spec on our interior painting page.
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