Paint calculator
Buy too little paint and you are back at the shop mid-job; buy too much and the rest dries out in the garage. Enter the area and number of coats for a wall, ceiling, wood façade or render, and you get the litres straight away – with a margin for waste already included.
An estimate. Consumption is affected by the substrate – absorbent, rough or dark-to-light surfaces use more and may need an extra coat or primer. Coverage is on the can.
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An estimate, not a finished calculation – check against drawings, regulations and supplier data before pricing or ordering.
How paint consumption is calculated
The formula is: (area − windows/doors) × number of coats ÷ coverage (m²/l), plus waste. A 40 m² wall with two coats and 7 m²/l gives 40 × 2 ÷ 7 ≈ 11.4 litres, plus a margin – so about 12 litres.
Coverage per paint type
- Interior wall / ceiling: about 6–8 m² per litre and coat.
- Wood façade: about 5 m² per litre – rougher, absorbent surface.
- Rendered façade: about 4 m² per litre.
- The calculator suggests a value per type; the exact figure is on the can.
Tips for the right amount
Always round up – a little paint left over is cheaper than a second trip mid-job, and the remainder covers touch-ups later. Buy the full amount in one batch where you can; the shade can differ slightly between production runs even under the same name.
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Frequently asked questions about paint consumption
- How much paint is used per square metre?
- Work back from the coverage: a litre reaches about 6–8 m² of interior wall per coat, less on an absorbent façade. Two coats halve the area a litre covers. Enter your area and the calculator turns that into litres for you.
- How many coats do I need?
- Usually two coats for an even result, sometimes three on absorbent or strongly coloured surfaces. The calculator uses the number you enter.
- Should I deduct windows and doors?
- Yes, for a more accurate amount. Enter the combined area of windows and doors in the "Deduct" field and they are removed before the consumption is calculated.
- Why is more paint used than calculated?
- Absorbent, rough or untreated surfaces use more, and a dark-to-light colour change may need an extra coat or primer. Allow a little margin.
- Does it cost anything?
- No, the calculator is free and requires no account.