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Paint calculator: how much paint do I need?
Work out paint for walls, ceilings and woodwork, plus decorating sundries. Enter the wall lengths and height, ceiling area and any woodwork.
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How the calculation works
Wall area is the total wall length multiplied by the wall height. Emulsion typically covers about 12 m² per litre per coat, so the calculator multiplies your area by the number of coats, divides by the coverage and rounds up to whole tins.
New plaster usually needs a thinned mist coat first, which is added if selected. Ceilings and woodwork are worked out separately.
Getting a good finish
Two coats are standard on walls. Fill and sand before painting, and cut in edges before rolling the main areas.
Worked example
A 4 × 4 m room with 2.4 m walls, painting the walls and ceiling:
| Material | Quantity | Price (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Armstead Trade Contract Matt 10L White | 1 | £17.39 |
| Armstead Trade Vinyl Matt 5L White | 2 | £48.22 |
| Armstead Trade Contract Matt 10L White | 1 | £17.39 |
| Armstead Trade Vinyl Matt 5L White | 1 | £24.11 |
| Materials total | £107.11 | |
Today's prices, excluding VAT and delivery. Labour, plant hire and some items are priced when you request a quote. Use the calculator above for your own measurements.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a litre of paint cover?
Emulsion typically covers about 12 m² per litre per coat on a smooth, sealed surface, less on rough or porous walls.
How many coats of paint do I need?
Two coats on walls and ceilings is standard, with a mist coat first on new plaster.
What is a mist coat?
A first coat of emulsion thinned with water, used on new plaster so the paint soaks in and bonds rather than peeling.