Paint Cost Calculator
Enter your room dimensions and local paint price to estimate total gallons needed and your total painting cost.
1. Enter wall area
Wall area: 384 sq ft (perimeter 48 ft × 8 ft ceiling)
2. Openings to subtract
21 sq ft each (standard 3×7)
15 sq ft each (standard 3×5)
3. Paint type, coats & price
Your Paint Estimate
3
gallons
9
quarts total
Calculation breakdown
Gross wall area: 384 sq ft
Openings subtracted: 51 sq ft
Net wall area: 333 sq ft × 2 coats
With 10% waste: 733 sq ft
÷ 350 sq ft/gal = 3 gallons
Coverage varies by paint brand, surface porosity, and application method. Buy a test quart first for new colors.
How the cost is calculated
- 1.Enter room dimensions, ceiling height, doors, and windows → calculator outputs net wall area and gallons needed.
- 2.Enter your price per gallon → paint cost = gallons × price.
- 3.Add ceiling paint if needed → total = wall paint + ceiling paint.
- 4.Cost per sq ft (wall) = total ÷ wall area.
2026 US paint price ranges
| Product | Per gallon |
|---|---|
| Standard interior latex | $20–$40 |
| Premium paint (BM, SW) | $40–$80 |
| Primer | $15–$30 |
| Ceiling paint | $20–$40 |
| Cabinet / trim paint | $50–$100 |
Prices vary by brand and region. Enter your actual price for an accurate estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does paint cost per gallon?
Standard interior latex paint: $20–$40/gallon. Premium paints (Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams): $40–$80/gallon. Specialty (primer+paint, cabinet paint): $50–$100/gallon.
How much does it cost to paint a room?
DIY materials for a 12×12 ft room (2 coats): $40–$120 in paint. Professionally painted, expect $200–$500 for a standard bedroom including labor and prep.
How many gallons of paint do I need for a 12×12 room?
A 12×12 room with 8 ft ceilings has about 318 sq ft of paintable wall area. At 350 sq ft/gallon per coat, you need 1 gallon per coat — 2 gallons for 2 coats.
Does primer cost extra?
Primer runs $15–$30/gallon and covers 300–400 sq ft per coat. For most repaints, a self-priming paint ($40–$70/gallon) eliminates the separate primer step and saves money.