How much paint for a garage door?
The outside of a 16 × 7 ft double garage door is 112 square feet and needs about 0.56 gallons of paint for two coats. Buy 1 gallon.
How to work it out
- 192 in × 84 in = 112 sq ft per face × 1 = 112 sq ft per door
- 112 sq ft × 2 coats ÷ 400 sq ft/gal = 0.56 gal → 1 gallon
A double garage door is 16 ft wide and 7 ft tall: 112 sq ft on the outside face, more than most accent walls. Two coats need a little over half a gallon, so it is a one-gallon job, often bought in the house’s trim or siding color.
Adjust for your project
More options: T · Extra (spray loss, touch-up stock)
- Paint needed
- 0.56 gal (2.12 L)
- Cans of the size you chose
- 1 can · 1-gallon
- Door surface (one coat)
- 112 sq ft
- Paint per coat
- 1.12 qt
- Coverage used
- 400 sq ft/gal
- Raised-panel doors have more surface than a flat slab of the same size; add 10–15% under Extra for deep panels.
- Garage doors: embossed and ribbed panels add surface, and steel doors need a primer suited to metal if the factory finish is worn through. Check the door maker’s guidance before painting.
- Old house? If it was built before 1978, read lead paint safety before you sand or scrape: EPA advises assuming old paint contains lead until it is tested.
Paint by number of doors (same size and sides)
| Doors | Door surface (one coat) | Paint needed | Buy (gallons and quarts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 112 sq ft | 0.56 gal | 1 gallon |
| 3 | 336 sq ft | 1.68 gal | 2 gallons |
| 5 | 560 sq ft | 2.8 gal | 3 gallons |
| 8 | 896 sq ft | 4.48 gal | 4 gallons + 2 quarts |
| 12 | 1,344 sq ft | 6.72 gal | 7 gallons |
What to know about painting a garage door
- 112 sq ft, 0.56 gallons for two coats at 400 sq ft per gallon. Three quarts would do it, but a gallon costs less.
- Single door, 8 × 7 ft: 56 sq ft and about 0.28 gallons, two quarts.
- Panels and texture. Raised panels and woodgrain embossing add surface; with 10–15% extra the double door is still under a gallon.
- Steel doors. Clean off chalky residue, scuff the factory finish, and spot-prime bare or rusty metal with a primer made for metal. Check the door maker’s instructions; some finishes have specific paint requirements.
Paint the door closed, panel by panel from the top down, then open it partway to reach the edges of each section where the sections hinge. Leave it open or partly open while it dries so the sections don’t stick together.
The rest of the house: how much paint for a 2,000 sq ft house exterior. A gallon’s full coverage is on how much does a gallon of paint cover.
Different size? Use the full Door Paint Calculator.
What you’ll need
- Roller covers, 3/8 in and 1/2 in napBudget price
Shorter nap for smooth walls and trim-adjacent work, longer nap for textured ceilings and rough siding. A fresh cover per color saves cleanup.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Electric pressure washerMid-range price
Cleans siding, decks and fences before painting. Let wood dry thoroughly before you coat it.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Sanding sponges (fine/medium)Budget price
Knocks down patches and scuffs glossy trim so the next coat grips. Damp sponges keep dust down.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to products are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra and help keep these calculators free.
Frequently asked questions
How much paint for a single garage door?
An 8 × 7 ft door needs about 1.12 quarts for two coats: 2 quarts.
How much paint for two single garage doors?
About 0.56 gallons for two coats: 1 gallon.
Other common sizes
- How much paint for a door — 0.75 qt: buy 1 quart
- How much paint for a front door — 0.46 qt: buy 1 quart
Sources
- Benjamin Moore, Advance Interior Matte (791), technical data sheet (opens in a new tab) — Coverage 400–500 sq ft per gallon at 3.6 mils wet; a cabinet, door and trim enamel; matte 2–6 units at 85°.
- Sherwin-Williams, ProMar 200 Zero VOC Interior Latex Semi-Gloss (B31 series), product data sheet (opens in a new tab) — Coverage 350–400 sq ft per gallon at 4 mils wet; for walls, ceilings and trim.