Free Tool
Paint Calculator
Calculate how many gallons of paint you need for a given area and number of coats.
Inputs
Results
Paint to buy5gallons
Exact amount4.6gallons
Or in quarts19quarts
Estimates only — verify against project conditions and manufacturer data.
Good to know
- One gallon typically covers 350–400 sq ft per coat on primed, smooth surfaces.
- Porous, textured, or dark-to-light surfaces need more paint or an extra coat.
From one trade to all of them
Tired of doing this by hand, trade by trade?
PreCal-IQ reads your specs and plans together and generates complete takeoffs across 45 CSI categories — automatically. Skip the manual math on every line.
FAQ
Common questions
How much paint do I need for a room?
Multiply the wall area by the number of coats, then divide by the coverage per gallon (~350 sq ft). Round up to whole gallons.
How many coats of paint should I plan for?
Two coats is standard for color and durability. Use three when going light over dark or painting bare/patched surfaces.
More free tools
Stop calculating one trade at a time
PreCal-IQ generates full takeoffs across 45 CSI categories from your specs and plans. Request a demo on your own project.