How to Estimate Paint Needed

Multiply the wall area by the number of coats you plan to apply, then divide by how much area one gallon covers (usually 300 to 400 square feet per gallon depending on the paint and surface). This gives a close estimate of how many gallons to buy.

Tips for Buying Paint

Always round up to the nearest full gallon, and buy a little extra for touch-ups later. Rougher surfaces like brick or textured drywall absorb more paint and reduce coverage per gallon.