Paint coverage calculator: how much does a gallon cover?
Enter how much paint you have and the coverage range from the can. The result is the wall area it covers, per coat and for the coats you plan.
Enter your measurements
More options: High
- Covers (at the high end)
- 400 sq ft
- Coverage range
- 350–400 sq ft
- Wall length at 8 ft high
- 43.8 ft
1 gal × 350 sq ft/gal = 350 sq ft
At the high end: 1 gal × 400 sq ft/gal = 400 sq ft
- Data-sheet coverage is measured on smooth, sealed surfaces at a set film thickness. New drywall, textured walls, rough siding and spraying all cover less.
- Most repaints over a different color, and all new drywall, need two coats; the per-coat figure is the one to plan from.
Quick answers for common sizes
| Example | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much does a gallon of paint cover | 350–400 sq ft per coat |
| How much does a 5 gallon bucket of paint cover | 1,750–2,000 sq ft per coat |
| How much does a quart of paint cover | 88–100 sq ft per coat |
Coverage by container (same coverage and coats)
| Paint | Covers (at the low end) | Covers (at the high end) | Wall length at 8 ft high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quart | 87.5 sq ft | 100 sq ft | 10.9 ft |
| Gallon | 350 sq ft | 400 sq ft | 43.8 ft |
| 2 gallons | 700 sq ft | 800 sq ft | 87.5 ft |
| 5-gallon pail | 1,750 sq ft | 2,000 sq ft | 219 ft |
Most cans print coverage as a range per coat, such as 350–400 sq ft per gallon. The calculator shows both ends, plus how much 8 ft wall that is, so you can picture it. New to this? Paint words explained.
How much does a gallon of paint cover?
Between about 250 and 450 sq ft per coat, depending on the product and the surface. The figures on three common interior lines:
| Product | Per gallon, per coat | Per quart | Per 5-gallon pail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams ProMar 200 Zero VOC | 350–400 sq ft | 88–100 sq ft | 1,750–2,000 sq ft |
| Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell | 400–450 sq ft | 100–113 sq ft | 2,000–2,250 sq ft |
| Behr Premium Plus Interior | 250–400 sq ft | 63–100 sq ft | 1,250–2,000 sq ft |
| Sherwin-Williams A-100 Exterior | 350–400 sq ft | 88–100 sq ft | 1,750–2,000 sq ft |
area covered = paint (gal) × coverage (sq ft/gal) ÷ coats 1 gal = 4 qt ≈ 3.79 L · 350 sq ft/gal ≈ 8.6 m²/L · 400 ≈ 9.8 m²/L
Worked examples
- How much does a gallon of paint cover: 350–400 sq ft per coat, and what that means for a room.
- How much does a 5 gallon bucket of paint cover: 1,750–2,000 sq ft, three or four bedrooms.
- How much does a quart of paint cover: about 88–100 sq ft, a door, a small wall or a powder room’s trim.
Why your paint might not reach the label figure
- Porosity. New drywall, bare plaster and flat old paint absorb the first coat. That is what primer is for: see the primer calculator.
- Texture. Knockdown walls, popcorn ceilings, stucco and rough-sawn siding have more surface than their flat measurement. Plan the low end of the range or below.
- Spraying. Behr’s data sheets state their coverage doesn’t include spray loss; airless spraying commonly uses 20–50% more than rolling.
- Color. Deep and bright colors cover at the same rate but hide less per coat, so they need more coats.
- Application. Spreading too thin to stretch a can leaves a film below the thickness the coverage was measured at (around 4 mils wet on most sheets) and it won’t hide or wear as it should.
For a lookup by room size, the paint coverage chart lists gallons for common rooms and ceilings.
What you’ll need
- Paint roller frame and covers (9 in)Budget price
A sturdy 9 in frame and a few 3/8 in nap covers handle smooth drywall. Rougher walls and ceilings want 1/2–3/4 in nap, as the data sheets suggest.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - 5-gallon bucket and roller gridBudget price
Once a job needs more than two gallons, boxing the paint in a bucket keeps the color consistent and a grid replaces the tray.
See options on Amazon (opens in a new tab) - Paint tray and linersBudget price
Liners turn a color change or the end of the day into a two-minute job instead of a scrub at the sink.
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 many square feet does a gallon of paint cover?
Usually 350–400 sq ft per coat for interior wall paint (Sherwin-Williams ProMar 200), 400–450 for Benjamin Moore Regal Select and 250–400 for Behr Premium Plus. Two coats halve it. See how much does a gallon of paint cover.
How much does a 5-gallon bucket of paint cover?
About 1,750–2,000 sq ft per coat at 350–400 sq ft per gallon, or 875–1,000 sq ft with two coats. See how much does a 5 gallon bucket of paint cover.
How much does a litre of paint cover?
At 350–400 sq ft per US gallon, about 8.6–9.8 m² per litre per coat. Many European emulsions print 10–14 m² per litre; use the figure on your tin.
Is the coverage on the can for one coat or two?
One. Data sheets give coverage per coat at a stated wet film thickness, so divide by the number of coats you plan.
Related guides
Sources
- Sherwin-Williams, ProMar 200 Zero VOC Interior Latex Eg-Shel (B20 series), product data sheet (opens in a new tab) — Coverage 350–400 sq ft per gallon at 4 mils wet; two coats over primer on drywall; sheen 15–20 units at 85°.
- Benjamin Moore, Regal Select Interior Eggshell (549), technical data sheet (opens in a new tab) — Coverage 400–450 sq ft per gallon at 3.8 mils wet; two coats for full color; eggshell 15–22 units at 85°.
- Behr, Premium Plus Interior Flat Paint (No. 1050), technical data sheet (opens in a new tab) — Coverage 250–400 sq ft per gallon depending on application method and substrate porosity; does not include spray loss.
- Sherwin-Williams, A-100 Exterior Latex Flat (A06 series), product data sheet (opens in a new tab) — Coverage 350–400 sq ft per gallon at 4 mils wet; for aluminum, vinyl and wood siding, shakes, masonry; two coats.