Paint Calculator: How Much Paint Do I Need?

Switch between working out the litres you need, and working out what the paint you already have will cover.

How much paint do I need? What will my paint cover?

How do you want to enter the area?

I know the m2 Use room dimensions

Area to paint Square metres of surface, not floor area.

Spread rates are Australian trade averages in m2 per litre per coat. Read your own tin and change them if it says otherwise.

Surface Rougher and more porous surfaces drink more paint.

CoatsTwo is the standard finish.

First coat spread rate m2 per litre. A bare or unsealed surface soaks up the first coat.

Later coat spread rate m2 per litre, once the surface is sealed by the coat under it.

Waste allowance Roller loading, cutting in, tray residue and touch ups.

No allowance Add 10%

Paint you need

Enter an area to begin

Coat by coat, so you can check it against your own tin.

Your working will appear here.

What this calculator assumes

Litres are worked out as area x coats divided by the spread rate, in m2 per litre per coat.
The first coat on a bare or porous substrate uses the reduced rate. Later coats use the sealed rate, because the coat underneath has already filled the surface.
Spread rates are trade averages for brush and roller. Spraying loses more to overspray. Your tin is the better number, so change the fields if it differs.
Tins are rounded up to the Australian can ladder of 1, 2, 4, 10, 15 and 20 litres, choosing the combination with the least surplus.
Room dimensions calculate wall area only, as 2 x (length + width) x height, with no deduction for doors and windows.
Colour changes from dark to light, and strong reds, yellows and oranges, usually need an extra coat.

Paint you need

Enter an area to begin

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