How to Calculate the Right Amount of Paint for Your Home

Painting your home can be rewarding but costly and time-consuming. A common frustration is figuring out how much paint to buy—not too much to waste or too little to run out midway. You can get the right amount and avoid unnecessary hassle with a few simple calculations.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Measure the Wall Area
   Start by calculating the total area of your walls. Multiply the height of each room by its width to get the square footage. For smaller areas like doors and windows, you don’t need to subtract their square footage unless they make up about half the room.
2. Determine Paint Coverage
   On average, a gallon of paint covers about 450 square feet. Divide the total square footage of your walls by this number to find out how many gallons you need.
3. Plan for Touch-Ups
   Please add about 10% more paint to your order. This extra paint will be handy for touch-ups later.
4. Double Up for Two Coats
   If your walls will need two coats of paint, double the total gallons calculated.

What to Do with Leftovers

Once you’ve finished painting, you’ll likely have a small amount of paint left. Store it properly to keep it usable for future touch-ups. Paint should never freeze, so avoid leaving it in a garage or shed. A closet or a storage spot inside your home is ideal.

Calculating carefully and planning storage for leftovers will save money, avoid waste, and keep your walls looking fresh for years.