How Many Gallons of Paint for a Bedroom? (All Sizes)

Most bedrooms need 2–3 gallons of wall paint for two coats. The exact amount depends on room size, ceiling height, and how many doors and windows you are painting around.

Gallons needed by bedroom size (2 coats, 8 ft ceiling, standard paint)

Room size	Wall area	Doors	Windows	Net area	Gallons
10 × 10 ft	320 sq ft	1	1	284 sq ft	2 gal
10 × 12 ft	352 sq ft	1	2	301 sq ft	2 gal
12 × 12 ft	384 sq ft	1	2	333 sq ft	2–3 gal
12 × 14 ft	416 sq ft	1	2	365 sq ft	3 gal
12 × 16 ft	448 sq ft	1	2	397 sq ft	3 gal
14 × 16 ft	480 sq ft	1	2	429 sq ft	3 gal

Net area = wall area minus 21 sq ft per door and 15 sq ft per window. Gallons rounded up.

With 9 or 10 ft ceilings

Taller ceilings add significant wall area — roughly 12–15% more per foot of extra height.

Room	8 ft ceiling	9 ft ceiling	10 ft ceiling
10 × 12 ft	2 gal	2–3 gal	3 gal
12 × 12 ft	2–3 gal	3 gal	3 gal
12 × 16 ft	3 gal	3–4 gal	4 gal

Don’t forget: what else to buy

Item	Quantity for average bedroom
Primer	1 quart (new drywall) or 1 gallon (dramatic color change)
Trim paint	1 quart (semi-gloss or satin)
Ceiling paint	1 quart (1 coat) or 1 gallon (2 coats)

Use the Paint Calculator with your exact room dimensions, door count, and window count for a precise gallon estimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many gallons of paint for an average bedroom?

An average US bedroom (10×12 ft, 8 ft ceiling) has about 352 sq ft of wall area. After 1 door and 2 windows (~51 sq ft), net area is 301 sq ft. At 2 coats and 350 sq ft/gallon, you need 2 gallons. Buy 3 to be safe.

How many gallons of paint for a 12×12 bedroom?

A 12×12 ft room with 8-foot ceilings has 384 sq ft of walls. Subtract 1 door (21 sq ft) and 2 windows (30 sq ft): net 333 sq ft. Two coats at 350 sq ft/gal = 1.9 gallons. Buy 2–3 gallons.

How many gallons of paint for a 10×10 room?

A 10×10 ft room with 8 ft ceilings has 320 sq ft of walls. After 1 door and 1 window (~36 sq ft), net area is 284 sq ft. Two coats at 350 sq ft/gal = 1.6 gallons. Buy 2 gallons.

Do I need to paint the ceiling separately?

Yes — ceiling paint is typically a different product (flat white) and sold separately. A 10×12 ceiling is 120 sq ft, which takes about 1 quart for one coat or 1 gallon for two coats.

How much does it cost to paint a bedroom?

Paint alone typically costs $25–$60 per gallon (2–3 gallons for most bedrooms = $50–$180). Primer adds another $20–$30 per gallon. Labor for a professional painter averages $200–$400 per room.