Paint Calculator
AvailableEstimate how many litres and tins of paint a job needs, with coats and waste.
Use the calculator
The numbers below are examples. Replace them with yours. Everything is worked out in your browser.
About this calculator
Estimate how much paint a job needs from the area, the number of coats and the paint's coverage. A little extra is added for waste and touch-ups, and the result is rounded up to whole tins.
How it works
- Paint needed is area times coats divided by coverage, times (1 plus waste divided by 100).
- Coverage is printed on the tin in square metres per litre. It depends on the paint and the surface.
- Tins are the litres divided by the tin size, rounded up.
This is a preliminary estimate for planning and shopping lists. It is not a structural design, a safety check or a building-code approval. Ask a qualified professional before you build.
Common questions
Where do I find the coverage?
On the tin or the maker's data sheet. Porous or rough walls take more paint than smooth ones.
Should I paint the ceiling too?
Add the ceiling area to the wall area, or run the calculator twice if you use a different paint.
Estimates only. Check important numbers before you rely on them.
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