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Paint Calculator

Calculate paint quantity for any room or surface. Enter length, width, height, and number of coats. Accounts for doors, windows, and wastage. Works in metres and feet.

Units
What to paint
Doors1
06
Windows2
010
Coats2
14
Coverage
Total paintable area
Net area (minus openings)
Paint needed (exact)
With 10% wastage
1-litre tins
4-litre tins
Primer (1 coat)
Quick Presets
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate paint for a room?

Measure wall area (2 x (length + width) x height) plus ceiling (length x width). Subtract doors (1.89 sq m each) and windows (1.2 sq m each). Divide by paint coverage per litre, multiply by coats, and add 10% wastage.

How many litres of paint for a 12x12 room?

A 12x12 ft (3.65x3.65m) room with 9ft ceilings has about 45 sq m of wall area. At 12 m/L with 2 coats: 45 x 2 / 12 = 7.5 litres plus wastage gives roughly 8.3 litres.

How much area does 1 litre of paint cover?

Standard interior emulsion covers 10-12 sq m per litre. Premium paints cover 12-16 sq m. Exterior paints cover 8-10 sq m. Check the manufacturers label for the specific product.

How many coats of paint do I need?

New or bare walls need 1 coat of primer plus 2 finish coats. Repainting a similar colour needs 2 coats. Covering dark paint with a light colour may need 3 coats.

Should I subtract doors and windows from paint calculation?

Yes. A standard door is approximately 1.89 sq m and a window 1.2 sq m. This calculator automatically deducts them from your total area.

How much paint for an exterior house?

Measure total external wall area, subtract all openings. Exterior masonry paint covers 4-8 sq m per litre as rough surfaces absorb more. Add 15% wastage for uneven surfaces.