When making plans for a portrayed venture—whether or not for a bedroom, living room, workplace space, or an entire house—one of the most commonplace questions humans ask is, “How many square feet does a gallon of paint cover?” Understanding paint coverage facilitates estimating the variety of gallons you need, your total budget, and how many coats you need to observe for the pleasant end.
Table of Contents
How Many Square Feet Does a Gallon of Paint Cover?
A standard gallon of indoor paint covers between 300 and 400 rectangular feet for one coat on a smooth, primed floor.
This is the common enterprise fashion, but actual insurance can vary based totally on many elements.
Average Paint Coverage Per Gallon (Chart)
| Type of Paint/Surface | Coverage Per Gallon (sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Interior Wall Paint (smooth) | 350–400 sq ft |
| Interior Wall Paint (semi-textured) | 250–300 sq ft |
| Exterior Paint | 250–350 sq ft |
| Primer (standard) | 200–300 sq ft |
| Ceiling Paint | 300–350 sq ft |
| Textured Walls | 150–250 sq ft |
| Brick/Masonry | 125–200 sq ft |
| Wood (raw) | 200–300 sq ft |
| Metal (unprimed) | 250–300 sq ft |
| Stucco / Rough Concrete | 80–150 sq ft |
Paint Coverage Formula (Simple Method)
To calculate how much paint you need, use this method:
Paint Needed (in gallons) = Total Area (square feet) ÷ Coverage Per Gallon
Example:
- Wall area = 900 square feet
- Paint insurance = 350 feet in line with gallon
Paint needed = 900 ÷ 350 = 2.57 gallons
You’ll want 3 gallons for one coat.
How to Calculate Wall Area (Step-by-Step)
- Measure wall top
- Measure wall width
- Multiply height × width for every wall
- Add all wall regions
- Subtract region of windows and doors
- Apply coverage system
Example Calculation
Room Size: 12 ft × 12 ft × 10 ft ceiling height
- Wall 1: 12 × 10 = 120 sq ft
- Wall 2: 12 × 10 = 120 sq ft
- Wall 3: 12 × 10 = 120 sq ft
- Wall 4: 12 × 10 = 120 sq ft
Total wall area = 480 sq ft
If one gallon covers 350 sq ft:
480 ÷ 350 = 1.37 gallons → 2 gallons needed for one coat.
For two coats:
2 × 2 = 4 gallons total
Factors That Affect Paint Coverage
Paint coverage varies depending on the situation of the surface and the type of paint used. Here are the main elements:
1. Surface Texture
| Surface | Coverage Impact |
|---|---|
| Smooth wall | Highest coverage |
| Semi-textured wall | Moderate coverage loss |
| Heavy texture | Uses 30–50% more paint |
| Stucco/brick | Uses nearly 2× more paint |
2. Number of Coats
- 1 coat = basic coverage
- 2 coats = exceptional finish
- 3 coats are required for darkish colours, stains, or broken partitions
3. Paint Quality
Higher-priced paints:
- Cover more regions.
- Require fewer coats
- Spread more smoothly
Cheaper paints often require extra coats.
4. Primer Use
Priming partitions increases paint insurance from 10% to 40%, depending on the wall situation.
Unprimed, porous surfaces absorb more paint.
5. Wall Color Change
| Old Color | New Color | Coats Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Light → Light | 1–2 coats | |
| Dark → Light | 2–3 coats | |
| Light → Dark | 1–2 coats | |
| Dark → Dark | 2 coats |
6. Application Method
| Method | Efficiency |
|---|---|
| Roller | Best & most consistent |
| Brush | Lower coverage |
| Spray | Fast but wastes paint |
How Many Gallons Do You Need? (Quick Guide)
| Area Size | Paint Needed |
|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | ¼ gallon |
| 250 sq ft | ½ gallon |
| 350 sq ft | 1 gallon |
| 700 sq ft | 2 gallons |
| 1000 sq ft | 3 gallons |
| 1500 sq ft | 4–5 gallons |
| 2000 sq ft | 6 gallons |
Ceiling Paint Coverage according to Gallon
Ceilings soak up paint differently.
A gallon of ceiling paint covers 300–350 sq. ft on average.
Popcorn ceilings reduce insurance to:
100–200 sq. ft. in keeping with gallon
Exterior Paint Coverage
Exterior walls are rougher and dustier.
Coverage drops to:
250–350 square feet consistent with gallon
Rough stucco, however, covers:
80-150 sq. ft. in step with gallon
Do Multiple Coats Reduce Coverage?
Coverage in line with gallons stays the same, but your total paint requirement doubles when doing 2 coats.
Example:
- One-coat requirement = 2 gallons
- Two-coat requirement = 4 gallons
When You Need Extra Paint
Buy extra paint if:
- Walls have stains
- You’re covering darkish hues
- You’re portray textured walls
- You need ceilings and partitions
- You need destiny touch-ups
Recommended greater paint:
10–15% more (or 1 greater quart)
Professional Painter Tips for Maximum Coverage
- Always high new partitions
- Use premium rollers
- Maintain consistent pressure
- Don’t over-dilute paint
- Paint in managed temperature (60°F–80°F)
These guidelines maximize square-foot insurance.
FAQ
Q.1: How many rectangular feet does 1 gallon of paint cover on a wall?
A gallon covers 300–400 square feet on smooth partitions.
Q.2: How many gallons to color a 12×12 room?
You need 2 gallons for one coat and 4 gallons for 2 coats.
Q.3: How much primer do I need?
Primer covers two hundred–three hundred square feet, consistent with a gallon.
Q.4: Does textured wall have an effect on coverage?
Yes, heavy textures use 30–50% extra paint.
Q.5: How many rectangular toes does 5 gallons of paint cover?
5 gallons covers 1500–2000 square feet, relying on wall texture.
Q.6: Do darker colors require extra paint?
Yes, dark colorings normally need 2–3 coats.
Conclusion
Understanding how many rectangular feet a gallon of paint covers is crucial for correct planning, budgeting, and reaching an easy finish. While the enterprise average is 300–400 sq. ft. in line with a gallon, this range adjusts based on texture, primer, paint quality, and coat necessities.
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