Paint Calculator
Estimate how many litres of paint you need based on area and coats.
How does the paint calculator work?
The calculator divides the total painting area by the coverage rate, then multiplies by the number of coats. Total paint needed = (Area ÷ Coverage) × Coats. Standard coverage is about 10–12 m² per litre per coat for emulsion on smooth walls. Enter your wall or ceiling area, set the number of coats (usually 2 for a new color), and adjust the coverage based on your paint can label. The result gives you the exact litres to buy — buy a little extra for touch‑ups.
How to use the Paint Calculator
Measure the area you plan to paint — for walls, multiply height × width; for ceilings, multiply length × width. Enter that total in square meters or square feet, set the number of coats (most jobs need 2), and check the coverage rate on your paint tin (usually 10–14 m²/L). Click "Calculate" to see how many litres you need.
Example calculation
A 25 m² wall with 2 coats and coverage of 10 m²/L: Paint needed = (25 ÷ 10) × 2 = 5 litres. You would buy a 5‑litre tin or two 2.5‑litre tins. If the coverage is 12 m²/L, you'd need about 4.2 litres — round up to the nearest available tin size.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate wall area for a whole room?
Measure the perimeter of the room (the total length of all walls) and multiply by the ceiling height. Subtract the area of doors and windows. Most standard doors are about 2 m² and windows about 1.5 m² each.
Is one coat ever enough?
When repainting with the same or a very similar color, one coat can be sufficient. For drastic color changes, or when painting over dark colors with lighter ones, two coats (or more) are strongly recommended for even coverage.