How much paint should I buy? What to expect with 1 gallon, 5 gallons, and quart buckets

How much paint should I buy? So… you forgot to think about how much paint to buy for your latest project, but you’re already standing by the counter at your local paint store, trying to remember the exact dimensions of your bedroom walls.

Don’t worry pal, we’ve all been there. 

Spectra Painting Contractors is here to guide you through this challenging moment. We’ll break down the most common paint size options and how much paint you should buy to avoid leftover materials or extra trips to the store. Plus, we’ll teach you how to calculate the amount of paint you need for any project, so you always show up to the paint store prepared.

How many square feet does a five-gallon bucket of paint cover? 

1,800 square feet 

This big bucket is enough to paint one coat in a really large room, such as a living/dining/kitchen space with an open floor plan. You can also use this to paint several average-sized rooms and maybe save yourself a little money. 

How many square feet does one gallon of paint cover? 

360 square feet (One gallon of paint primer covers less space, usually about 200 to 300 square feet per gallon.) 

One gallon of paint is usually enough for one coat of paint for a small room, such as a bathroom. 

You’ll usually need two gallons of paint per coat for most average-sized rooms with eight-foot-high ceilings. A room with higher or vaulted ceilings may need as much as three gallons of paint per coat. 

How many square feet does one quart of paint cover? 

90 square feet

One quart is typically enough paint for one coat of paint on most ceilings in average-sized rooms or one coat on a small accent wall. It’s also usually enough to paint a larger piece of furniture, like a dresser. 

How many square feet does one pint of paint cover? 

50 square feet

A pint is enough to paint a door or small furniture painting projects, such as a nightstand. 

How many square feet does a 1/2 pint of paint cover? 

25 square feet

A 1/2 pint is a good amount of paint for small projects or lots of touchups.  

How many square feet does a 1/4 pint of paint cover? 

12 square feet

A 1/4 pint is essentially a sample size. Do not expect it to cover much, but it can be good to buy for minor touchups. 

How to take the guesswork out of Buying Paint

Figuring out how much paint you need usually requires some simple math, but you can know almost exactly how much paint to buy before heading to the store. 

Grab a tape measure and maybe a calculator to follow along at home or wherever you are painting: 

1. Measure the height of the wall from floor to ceiling. Don’t worry about measuring around doors or windows quite yet. 
2. Measure the length of the wall.
3. Multiply the length of the wall by the height of the wall to get the area. 
4. Repeat these steps for each wall you plan on painting. 
5. Add the area of each wall together to get the total surface area.  
6. If you have a lot of doors and windows in a room, calculate their surface area and subtract it from the overall surface area for the room. It may be a good idea to skip this step if you want to give yourself a little wiggle room and be sure you have plenty of paint for the entire project. 
7. If you plan on painting the ceiling: Measure the width and length of the ceiling and calculate its surface area. 
8. To determine how much paint to buy, divide the total wall area you plan to paint by 360, or the total square feet that one gallon of paint covers. (If you are calculating the amount of primer to buy, divide the total wall area by 250.) 
9. Double the number of gallons for each additional coat of paint you plan on applying. Usually, you should apply two coats of paint to walls and one coat of paint to ceilings. 

What else affects the amount of paint you should buy?

Note any other factors that may affect the amount of paint you need, including wall texture, the number of coats you want to use, and the type of paint you are using. 

Smooth walls take less paint, and more textured walls usually need more for full coverage. Walls that have never gotten painted before usually soak up more paint. 

If you are dramatically changing the paint color in a room, you may need more paint or an extra coat of paint. That means a bold accent wall may require more paint than you think. You can also use a tinted primer to help achieve the best coverage. 

Speaking of primer, don’t be cheap and try to skip it. Although you will need more primer than paint, primer is worth the extra step. Primer helps prepare walls and helps your paint cover the maximum amount of surface space. It also covers up minor imperfections or stains on walls, which may still show through average interior house paint. 

Some paint manufacturers have more specific guidelines based on paint consistency and finish types. You can read more about different paint finishes and the best places to use different finishes here. 

To learn more about paint, check out our blog. Spectra Painting Contractors is based in the greater Boston area. We’re proud to offer residential and commercial painting services for a wide range of clients.