How Much Paint do I Need?

Calculating how much paint you need is important in reducing cost and waste of extra paint. Below you will find some useful measurements to help you calculate how much paint you need!

Paint Coverage

1 Quart of Paint (946 ml) = one coat of approximately 100 square feet of surface space

1 Gallon of Paint (3.78 L) = one coat of approximately 400 square feet of surface space

1 Pail of Paint (18.9 L) = one coat of approximately 2000 square feet of surface space

4 Quarts of Paint (946 ml each) = 1 Gallon of Paint (3.78 L)

5 Gallons of Paint (3.78 L each) = 1 Pail of Paint (18.9 L)

PLEASE NOTE: it is always recommended to apply 2 coats to ensure durability and the correct colour

Calculating Paint for a Ceiling

1. Multiply the length of the ceiling by the width of the ceiling to determine the square footage of the ceiling

Ceiling length X Ceiling width = Square Footage of Ceiling

2. Multiply the ceiling square footage by 2 to determine the square footage for 2 coats of paint (2 coats of paint is always recommended)

Square Footage of Ceiling X 2 = Square Footage for 2 Coats of Paint

Calculating Paint for a Wall

1. Multiply the height of the wall by the width of the wall (if the wall is different heights and widths in different places then use the highest point and the widest point for the measurement)

Height of Wall X Width of Wall = Square Footage of Wall

2. Multiply the square footage of the wall by 2 to calculate the square footage for 2 coats of paint

Square Footage of Wall X 2 = Square Footage for 2 Coats of Paint

(IF THE WALL HAS WINDOWS AND DOORS THEN CONTINUE TO STEP 3)

3. If the wall has a window or door, multiply the length of the window or door by the width of the window or door to calculate the square footage of the window or door

Length of Window/Door X Width of Window/Door = Square Footage of Window/Door

4. Subtract the square footage of the window or door from the square footage for 2 coats of paint to calculate the square footage for 2 coats of paint for a wall with a window or door

Square Footage for 2 Coats of Paint - Square Footage of Window/Door = Square Footage for 2 Coats of Paint for a Wall with Window/Door

(IF A WALL HAS MULTIPLE WINDOWS OR DOORS THEN COMPLETE STEPS 3 AND 4 FOR EACH WINDOW AND DOOR)

Calculating Paint for a Door

1. Multiply the length of the door by the width of the door to calculate the square footage of one side of the door

Door Length X Door Width = Square Footage of One Side of Door

2. Multiply the square footage of one side of the door by 2 to determine the square footage of both sides of the door

Square Footage of One Side of Door X 2 = Square Footage of Both Sides of Door

3. Multiply the square footage of both sides of the door by 2 to determine the square footage for 2 coats of paint (2 coats is always recommended)

Square Footage of Both Sides of Door X 2 = Square Footage for 2 Coats of Paint

(IF THE DOOR HAS WINDOWS THEN CONTINUE TO STEP 4)

4. If the door has a window, multiply the length of the window by the width of the window to calculate the square footage of one side of the window

Length of Window X Width of Window = Square Footage of One Side of Window

5. Multiply the square footage of one side of the window by 2 to calculate the square footage of both sides of the window

Square Footage of One Side of Window X 2 = Square Footage of Both Sides of Window

6. Subtract the square footage of both sides of the window from the square footage for 2 coats of paint to calculate square footage for 2 coats of paint of door with window

Square Footage for 2 coats of paint - Square Footage of Both Sides of window = Square Footage of 2 Coats of Paint for Door With Window

(IF A DOOR HAS MUTLIPLE WINDOWS THEN COMPLETE STEPS 4-6 FOR EACH WINDOW)

Calculating Paint for Trim

1. Multiply the length of the trim by the width of the trim to calculate the square footage of the trim

Length of Trim X Width of Trim = Square Footage of Trim

2. Multiply square footage of Trim by 2 to calculate the square footage for 2 coats of paint

Square Footage of Trim X 2 = Square footage for 2 Coats of Paint

Have more questions about calculating how much paint you need? Click on the button below!

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Merit Decorating Centre

(416)-534-6337

696 College Street
Toronto, Ontario
M6G 1C1

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Sat: 8:00am-5:00pm
Sun: Closed

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