Professional Paint Calculator Guide
Professional Estimation
Professional painters don't just guess. They calculate square footage, subtract windows/doors, and account for surface texture to ensure they order the exact right amount of paint.
The Spread Rate
Standard: 350-400 sq ft per gallon.
Textured: 250-300 sq ft per gallon.
Porous (New Drywall): 200-250 sq ft per gallon (Primer).
Pro Tips
Color Changes
Going from dark to light?
- Primer: Use a high-hiding primer. It's cheaper than doing 3-4 coats of expensive topcoat.
- Tinted Primer: Tint your primer to gray if painting a deep red or blue.
Trim & Doors
Don't forget the details.
- Doors: Count 20 sq ft per side for a standard door.
- Trim: Calculate linear feet × width. Usually 1 gallon of trim paint covers an entire average house.