Quick reference for how much area one gallon of paint covers. Coverage depends on the surface texture, paint quality, and whether you're priming or finishing. Use this chart to estimate gallons before you buy.
| Surface Type | Coverage/Gallon |
|---|---|
| Smooth drywall (new, primed) | 350–400 sq ft |
| Smooth drywall (repaint) | 300–350 sq ft |
| Textured drywall (orange peel) | 250–300 sq ft |
| Textured drywall (knockdown) | 200–275 sq ft |
| Popcorn ceiling | 150–200 sq ft |
| Bare wood (unfinished) | 250–350 sq ft |
| Previously painted wood | 350–400 sq ft |
| Concrete / masonry (bare) | 150–250 sq ft |
| Concrete (previously painted) | 250–350 sq ft |
| Metal (primed) | 350–400 sq ft |
| Brick (bare) | 100–150 sq ft |
| Stucco | 150–200 sq ft |
| Exterior wood siding | 250–350 sq ft |
| Exterior vinyl/aluminum siding | 300–400 sq ft |
| Primer Type | Coverage/Gallon |
|---|---|
| Latex primer (standard) | 300–400 sq ft |
| Latex primer (high-build) | 200–300 sq ft |
| Shellac-based primer | 300–350 sq ft |
| Oil-based primer | 300–400 sq ft |
| PVA drywall primer | 350–400 sq ft |
| Bonding primer | 250–350 sq ft |
| Situation | Coats Needed |
|---|---|
| Same color refresh | 1 |
| Similar color over similar color | 1–2 |
| Light color over light color | 2 |
| Dark color over light color | 2 |
| Light color over dark color | 2–3 (or use tinted primer) |
| New drywall (primer + paint) | 1 primer + 2 paint |
| Bare wood | 1 primer + 2 paint |
| Bare concrete/masonry | 1–2 primer + 2 paint |
| Room | Gallons (2 coats) |
|---|---|
| 10 × 10 (standard bedroom) | 2–3 gallons |
| 12 × 12 (master bedroom) | 3–4 gallons |
| 12 × 16 (living room) | 3–4 gallons |
| 10 × 10 (bathroom) | 2–3 gallons |
| 10 × 14 (kitchen) | 3–4 gallons |
Wall area estimates assume 8-ft ceilings and subtract ~50 sq ft for doors/windows. Use our Paint Calculator for exact quantities with your actual room dimensions and window/door measurements.
Cheaper paints ($15–$25/gallon) have lower solids content and cover less per gallon — you'll need more coats. Premium paints ($35–$60/gallon) have higher solids, better coverage per coat, and often achieve full coverage in fewer coats. In many cases, buying premium paint is cheaper overall because you buy fewer gallons and spend less time rolling. The "price per gallon" comparison is misleading — calculate the total cost across all coats for a fair comparison.
On smooth primed drywall, about 350–400 square feet per coat. On textured surfaces, bare wood, or masonry, coverage drops to 150–300 square feet. Always plan for 2 coats of finish paint.
About 3 gallons for 2 coats on walls and ceiling. That's approximately 384 sq ft of walls plus 144 sq ft of ceiling, minus doors and windows. Our Paint Calculator gives an exact number for your specific room.
Yes. Darker colors and reds/yellows often have lower opacity and may require an extra coat. Using a gray-tinted primer under dark colors significantly improves coverage and reduces the number of finish coats.
Yes — buy 10–15% more than your calculated amount. You'll need it for touch-ups, cut-in areas use more paint per square foot than rolling, and coverage estimates assume ideal conditions.
No. Primer seals the surface and improves adhesion but is not a finish coat. Plan for 1 coat of primer plus 2 coats of finish paint on new surfaces. On previously painted surfaces in good condition, you may be able to skip the primer.
A typical 1,500 sq ft home has roughly 1,000–1,500 sq ft of paintable exterior surface (walls minus windows, doors, and areas covered by stone or brick). At 300 sq ft per gallon and 2 coats, that's 7–10 gallons of body color, plus 2–3 gallons for trim.