Last updated: March 2, 2026 by Sarah Chen

How to Calculate Paint Needed

Formula

One gallon of paint covers approximately 350 square feet with one coat. Subtract doors (21 sq ft each) and windows (15 sq ft each) from total wall area.

Most projects require two coats for even coverage, especially when changing colors. Primer adds a third coat.

Common use cases:

  • Interior room painting
  • Whole house paint estimates
  • Accent wall projects

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sarah Chen

Financial Analyst, CFA

Sarah is a Chartered Financial Analyst with over 8 years of experience in investment management and financial modeling. She specializes in retirement planning and compound interest calculations.

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