Skip to content

Paint Calculator

How much paint you need depends on the surface area, the paint’s coverage rate and the number of coats you apply. Enter these three figures for an instant estimate.

m²
m²/L

Result

4 L

Paint needed

How this was calculated
  1. 1Total area to paint20 m² × 2 lagen = 40 m²
  2. 2Divide by coverage÷ 10 m²/L = 4 L

Formula

Litres = (area × number of coats) ÷ coverage per litre

You multiply the area by the number of coats to get the total surface to paint, then divide by how many square metres one litre of paint covers. Coverage is usually printed on the tin and varies by brand and surface.

Worked examples

20 m² wall, coverage 10 m²/L, 2 coats

→ 4 litres of paint needed.

Common mistakes

  • Not subtracting windows and doors from the total area.

Tips

  • Buy a bit more than the calculated amount for touch-ups and batch colour differences.

When to use it

  • Buying exactly enough paint for a painting job.

Frequently asked questions

How many coats do I need?

Usually two coats; sometimes three for a big colour change or a dark base colour.

Was this calculator helpful?