Paint & Finishes
Quick Reference
| Surface | ft² per gallon |
|---|---|
| Smooth, primed drywall | 350–400 |
| Lightly textured drywall | 300–350 |
| Heavily textured (popcorn, knockdown) | 200–250 |
| Exterior wood siding | 300–350 |
| Stucco / masonry | 150–200 |
| Bare drywall (without primer) | 200–250 |
For two coats: gallons = ceil((wall_area × 2) ÷ ft²_per_gallon). Always round up — paint is sold in whole gallons.
350 ft² × 2 coats ÷ 350 = 2 gallons exactly. Always round up — buy 2.
Stucco eats paint. 1,200 × 2 ÷ 175 = 14 gallons. The 350 ft² rule does NOT apply outdoors on rough surfaces.
Related questions
400 ft² is the upper end of manufacturer claims, achievable only on perfectly smooth, primed walls. 300–350 ft² is the realistic average.
Wood, stucco, and weathered surfaces absorb paint into their texture. The first coat is largely soaked in, leaving less to spread.
Slightly. Premium paints have higher solids content, which can cover up to 25% more area per coat. The bigger gain is needing fewer coats.
A quart is ¼ gallon, so roughly 87 ft² of coverage. Quarts are great for accent walls, doors, and trim.
More answers
How Much Paint Do I Need?
Most rooms need 2 to 3 gallons of paint for two coats. A standard bedroom needs 2 gallons; a large living room with cathedral ceilings can need 4–5.
How Much Does a Gallon of Paint Cost?
A gallon of interior paint costs $30 to $60 in 2026. Premium and exterior paints reach $60–$100 per gallon. Five-gallon buckets typically save 15%.
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Open calculatorWritten and maintained by the BuildMaterialCalc editorial team. The math is derived from published codes and manufacturer specs — see our methodology page for the full source list and review process.
Last reviewed: 9 May 2026. We update cost references quarterly using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index plus regional supplier spot-checks.
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Every result is an estimate. Real-world projects vary with sub-grade conditions, ambient humidity, supplier spec sheets, and local code amendments. For structural, code, or safety-critical applications, confirm with a licensed professional. See our full disclaimer for details.