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Paint Coverage
Calculator

Enter your room dimensions, surface type, and number of coats. Get the exact number of litres and tins to buy — no guesswork, no waste.

Free. No signup required.

10–14 m²/L
Typical coverage on a repainted surface
2 coats
Standard for most repaint jobs
+10%
Always buy extra for touch-ups

Calculate Your Paint

Add each room separately to get a combined total. Tick the ceiling box to include it in the calculation.

Rooms / Areas to Paint

Room 1

Paint Options

Coverage: 12 m²/L per coat. New surfaces need more paint as they absorb more.

Repaints typically need 2 coats. New plaster often needs 3 (1 sealer + 2 top coats).

How the Calculator Works

1. Enter your rooms

Add each room with its length, width, and wall height. Tick the ceiling checkbox to include the ceiling area.

2. Choose surface and coats

New plaster and raw timber absorb more paint than a previously painted surface. Select the right type for accurate results.

3. Get your total

The calculator returns total litres, a suggested tin combination, and a rough cost estimate based on mid-range paint prices.

Paint Coverage Reference

Coverage rates per coat for standard water-based interior paint.

SurfaceCoverage (m²/L)Typical coats
Repaint — similar colour12–142
Repaint — significant colour change10–123
New plaster or GIB (+ sealer coat)7–93
Raw / bare timber (+ primer)6–82–3
Concrete or masonry5–82

Coverage varies by brand and application method. Check the label on your specific product.

Tips for Getting Paint Quantities Right

Always buy at least 10% extra for touch-ups and future repairs
Keep the batch number when buying multiple tins — colours can vary between batches
New plaster needs a sealer coat before top coats — add this to your calculation
Dark colours covering light (or light covering dark) often need an extra coat
A roller gives better coverage than a brush for large wall areas
Leftover paint stores well in airtight tins for up to 2 years

Frequently Asked Questions

How many litres of paint do I need for a room?

A typical 4m × 5m room with 2.4m ceilings has about 43 m² of wall area. At 12 m²/L over 2 coats, you need around 7–8 litres for walls, plus about 4 litres for the ceiling. Always buy 10% extra for touch-ups.

How far does 1 litre of paint cover?

Most interior paints cover 10–14 m² per litre per coat on a repainted surface. New plaster absorbs more and typically gives 7–9 m² per litre. Always check the label on your specific product.

Should I include doors and windows in the wall area?

The calculator uses the full wall area without deducting for doors and windows. For most rooms this works well — the extra paint accounts for waste, touch-ups, and spillage. Only deduct if you have an unusually large amount of glazing.

How many coats of paint do I need?

Repainting a similar colour: 2 coats. Large colour change: 3 coats. New plaster: sealer coat + 2 top coats. Raw timber: primer + 2 top coats.

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