Paint Coverage Calculator

Two coats are recommended for most projects. This ensures even coverage, better durability, and a consistent finish. You may need 3+ coats when covering dark colors with light paint, or when using certain reds, yellows, or oranges. Premium "one-coat" paints can sometimes cover in a single coat when going from similar color to similar color.

Use primer when painting bare drywall, new wood, stained surfaces, or when making dramatic color changes (especially dark to light). Primer seals the surface, improves adhesion, and can reduce the number of topcoats needed. Many modern paints include primer, but separate primer works better for problem surfaces.

Flat/matte hides imperfections but is hard to clean. Eggshell offers slight sheen and is easier to clean. Satin is good for high-traffic areas and bathrooms. Semi-gloss is best for trim, doors, and kitchens. High-gloss is very durable but shows every imperfection. Higher sheens are more durable and washable but show surface flaws more.

5-gallon buckets are more economical for large projects (typically 15-20% cheaper per gallon). They're ideal when painting multiple rooms the same color. For single rooms or accent walls, individual gallons give you more flexibility. Always buy from the same batch to ensure color consistency.