Paint Calculator
Estimate paint for rooms, walls, ceilings, doors, windows, coats, primer, waste allowance, and project cost before you buy.
Paint Project Estimate
Activity Accounts planning estimate. This is not a contract, certified estimate, appraisal, or regulatory assessment.
Paint room calculator
Estimate wall and ceiling paint by room size, coats, coverage, openings, primer, waste, and project cost.
Save this project
Save the current mode, every calculator input, and a readable result snapshot in this browser.
Room size and paint assumptions
Door and window deductions retain the existing assumptions: 20 square feet per door and 15 square feet per window.
Quantity snapshot
Quick estimate
Additional rough project allowances
Optional planning allowances not included in calculated paint and primer material cost.
Need more detail?
Contractor quotes
Attach this Check-mode quote to the current saved project for browser-local comparison.
Save this project before attaching contractor quotes.
Contractor quote and modeled allowances
Editable planning values are not authoritative local prices; calculated paint and primer are already included.
Quote scope checklist
Checklist selections do not add prices.
Quote check results
A difference may reflect surface condition, repairs, primer, paint quality, color changes, trim, doors, ceilings, protection, access, coats, local labor, insurance, warranty, scheduling, or conditions not represented here.
This tool cannot inspect surfaces, verify preparation, evaluate workmanship, determine code or lead-safe requirements, or decide whether a price is fair.
Questions to ask before comparing quotes
- Which rooms and surfaces are included?
- Are ceilings, trim, doors, and closets included?
- How many primer and finish coats are included?
- What paint product and sheen will be used?
- Is paint included?
- What preparation, patching, and caulking are included?
- Are furniture, floors, high walls, stairs, lifts, or scaffolding addressed?
- Is cleanup and a touch-up or warranty policy included?
- Are change orders explained?
1. Project and materials
Paint and primer use calculated purchasing quantities above. Add only supplies not already included.
Paint: $0.00 · Primer: $0.00 · Other supplies: $0.00 · Materials subtotal: $0.00
2. Crew and labor
Only the selected labor method contributes; switching preserves both sets of values.
Loaded hourly cost may include payroll taxes, workers' compensation, insurance, benefits, paid leave, and other employer costs.
Labor subtotal: $0.00 · Crew-hours: 0.00
3. Equipment
Unused fields remain zero. Regulated containment or abatement is outside this planning estimate.
Equipment subtotal: $0.00
4. Other direct job costs
Hazardous coatings or regulated conditions require qualified evaluation and may not be represented here.
Other direct costs subtotal: $0.00
5. Overhead, contingency, and profit
Gross margin is a percentage of selling price; markup is a percentage added to cost.
Build-a-quote results
See full cost breakdown
Cost estimator
Edit the paint cost per gallon, coverage rate, primer cost, and primer coverage to match the product you plan to buy. The calculator rounds up to whole gallons because paint is normally purchased by the can.
Waste and extra paint
Default 10%. Add extra paint if your walls are textured, patched, dark-colored, unprimed, or if you want leftovers for touch-ups later.
Common paint assumptions
| Item | Default assumption |
|---|---|
| Door deduction | 20 sq ft |
| Window deduction | 15 sq ft |
| Paint coverage | 300–400 sq ft/gallon |
| Typical coats | 2 coats |
| Waste/extra | 10% |
Plain-English guide
The calculator starts with wall area: two times the room length plus width, multiplied by wall height. It subtracts standard door and window areas, optionally adds the ceiling, multiplies by the number of coats, then divides by paint coverage. Primer is estimated separately because primer coverage and cost can differ from wall paint.
Paint calculator FAQ
How many coats of paint do I need?
Two coats is a common default for interior walls. One coat may work for similar colors in good condition, while dark color changes, patched walls, or uneven surfaces may need primer and two finish coats.
Does primer count as a coat?
Primer is usually counted separately from paint coats. It helps seal surfaces, improve adhesion, and cover stains or strong color changes before finish paint.
How much paint do I need for one room?
Measure the room length, width, and wall height, subtract doors and windows, then multiply by coats. This calculator does that math and rounds the gallons up for buying paint.
Should I subtract windows and doors?
Yes, for a closer estimate. This calculator subtracts 20 square feet per door and 15 square feet per window by default.
How much extra paint should I buy?
A 10% extra allowance is a practical starting point. Buy more if walls are textured, patched, dark, unprimed, or if you want touch-up paint later.
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