Paint Coverage Calculator
Calculate exactly how much paint your project needs. Enter room dimensions, choose your surface and coating type, and get instant estimates for square footage, gallons required, and material cost.
Project Details
Coverage Results
Enter your project details and click
"Calculate Paint
Needed" to see results
Note: Coverage rates are industry estimates. Porous or rough surfaces may require additional material. Contact us for a precise project quote.
Coverage Rates by Coating Type
Interior & Exterior Latex
~350 sq ft/galThe most common commercial coating. Water-based, low-VOC, and fast-drying. Suitable for drywall, primed concrete, and wood.
Price range: $30–$60 per gallon
Epoxy Coating
~250 sq ft/galHigh-durability two-part system ideal for floors, concrete surfaces, and industrial environments. Thicker application reduces coverage per gallon.
Price range: $60–$120 per gallon
Polyurethane Coating
~300 sq ft/galExceptional chemical and abrasion resistance. Common for metal structures, industrial equipment, and high-traffic floors.
Price range: $50–$100 per gallon
Elastomeric Coating
~100 sq ft/galThick, flexible membrane applied to exterior masonry, stucco, and concrete. Very low coverage rate because it fills cracks and surface voids.
Price range: $50–$90 per gallon
How Surface Type Affects Coverage
Drywall
Smooth, non-porous surface. Achieves full manufacturer coverage rates. New drywall should be primed first to seal the surface and reduce paint absorption.
Concrete
Porous and often textured. Expect 10–20% more material than smooth surfaces. Etching or priming is essential before applying finish coats.
Stucco
Heavily textured exterior surface. Requires the most paint of common surfaces — up to 25–35% more than smooth drywall. Elastomeric coatings are the best choice here.
Metal
Non-porous when clean. Rust and scale removal is critical before coating. Requires a direct-to-metal primer or a compatible DTM topcoat system.
Wood
Coverage varies widely with grain and porosity. End grain absorbs significantly more paint. Raw wood always requires a primer coat before finish paint is applied.
How Many Coats Do You Need?
1 Coat
Suitable for maintenance repaints where the existing color is similar and the surface is in excellent condition. Not recommended for bare or heavily faded surfaces.
2 Coats — Recommended
The industry standard for most commercial painting projects. Provides uniform coverage, proper film thickness, and long-term durability. Required for most manufacturer warranties.
3 Coats
Required when applying light colors over dark substrates, when using thick-film coatings for corrosion protection, or when the specification demands a premium, long-lasting finish.
Always Order 10% Extra
Professional painters always purchase 10% more material than the calculated amount. This accounts for waste, touch-ups, and the variability of real-world surfaces. Running short mid-project can cause sheen and color inconsistencies.
Get an Accurate Professional Estimate
This calculator provides a solid starting point, but every commercial painting project has unique variables:
- Surface condition — repairs, caulking, and preparation work
- Primer requirements based on substrate and coating system
- Access complexity — lifts, scaffolding, and confined spaces
- Coating specification compliance for warranties
- Environmental conditions affecting application and cure time
Get a Detailed Project Quote
Our team will review your project and provide an itemized estimate including materials, labor, and surface preparation.