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Paint Coverage Calculator

Calculate paint needed from wall area, coats, coverage per liter, waste, can size, and can price.

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Paint project

Results

Painted area
84 m2
Liters with waste
9.24 L
Cans needed
3
Estimated cost
$267.00

How it works

  1. Enter your input

    Fill in the values, paste your text, or upload the file this tool works with.

  2. See results instantly

    Most tools update live as you type; a few use a single button. Either way, the result appears right on this page.

  3. Use your results

    Copy, download, or share what the tool produces — you're always in control of the output.

Privacy and processing — Runs locally in your browser. This tool does not upload your input.

What is Paint Coverage Calculator?

A paint coverage calculator turns a wall's area, number of coats, and a paint's coverage rate into the liters, cans, and total cost needed for the job, with an allowance for waste.

UNDERSTAND THE TOOL

How to estimate paint coverage

Use this tool to estimate the liters, cans, and cost for a wall painting project, so you buy close to the right amount instead of guessing and running short mid-coat.

How liters, cans, and cost are calculated

Paintable area
area * coats
Liters needed
(paintableArea / coveragePerLiter) * (1 + waste% / 100)
Cans needed
ceil(litersWithWaste / canSizeLiters)
Total cost
cans * canPrice

40 m² wall, 2 coats, 6 m²/L coverage, 10% waste, 3.6 L cans at $25

The job needs 14.67 liters, which rounds up to 5 cans, for $125.

40*2 = 80 m²; 80/6 = 13.33 L; 13.33*1.10 = 14.67 L; ceil(14.67/3.6) = 5 cans; 5*25 = 125

Before you buy

  • Subtract doors and large windows from the wall area for a tighter estimate.
  • Check the coverage-per-liter figure on your specific paint's label — it varies by surface texture, color, and whether you're using a primer.

Typical coverage rates

  • Smooth interior walls: often around 10–12 m² per liter for a standard emulsion.
  • Rough, textured, or unprimed surfaces: coverage can drop well below that, sometimes by half.
  • Deep or accent colors: frequently need an extra coat beyond what the label's base figure assumes.

Coverage varies by paint and surface

The coverage rate you enter is only as accurate as the paint's own label — porous walls, deep colors, and skipped primer all reduce real coverage, so treat the result as a shopping estimate, not a guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I subtract doors and windows from the area?

Yes, if you want a tighter estimate — subtract their combined area from the wall area before entering it.

Why does the calculator add waste on top of the coverage rate?

Waste accounts for roller loss, touch-ups, porous surfaces, and small measuring errors that the coverage rate alone doesn't cover.

Why are cans always rounded up?

Paint is sold by container size, so the estimate rounds up to the next whole can rather than a fractional amount.

Does the coverage rate change with the color?

Yes — deep or accent colors often need an extra coat or two, which the paint label usually calls out.

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