How far does a gallon of paint spread?

Author: Alycia Nitzsche  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 23, 2025

One gallon of Wall Paint will cover approximately 375-425 square feet. One gallon of Trim Paint will cover approximately 375-425 square feet. One gallon of Ceiling Paint will cover approximately 350-400 square feet.

How far will a gallon of paint get me?

Paint usually is applied at 350 to 400 square feet per gallon (primer at 200 to 300 square feet per gallon). Use the Area section below to calculate the walls and ceiling values. Use the Number of Doors and Windows section to calculate the Doors and Windows values.

What is the average spreading rate of paint?

Paint can be readily calculated at an average spreading rate of 10m2 per litre per coat, which allows for colours, wastage and other losses.

How far does paint spread?

These calculations are based on a two coat coverage for top coats with a spread rate of 16 square metres per litre and one coat coverage for preparation products with a spread rate of 12 square metres per litre.

Will one gallon of paint cover a 12x12 room?

For a 12x12 room with average 8-foot ceilings, you will need approximately 1.5 gallons of paint.

How to Know How Much Paint You'll Need | House Painting

How many gallons of paint do I need for a 20x20 room?

How Many Gallons of Paint Do You Need? As a painting pro will tell you, you can get about 400 square feet out of one gallon. That's the size of a 20-by-20 room, which is the equivalent of a typical two-car garage or a small studio apartment.

What is the average cost to paint a 12x12 room?

Painters charge $400 to $1,000 per room on average, depending on the size. The average cost to paint a 12x12 room is $400 to $950.

How do you make paint spread further?

A roller is essential for any flat surfaces. It cuts down on time and makes your paint go further because it applies the paint evenly. Spraying your roller with a light coating of water reduces the chance of it shedding fluff and increases paint absorption.

What is the spreading rate of wall paint?

The typical thumb rule is most paints have a spreading rate of 350 square feet per 4 litres of paint (approx 1 gallon), which means that 4 litres of paint will cover 350 square feet. However, this can vary depending on the paint type, its sheen level, and how rough or smooth the surface is that you're painting.

How long to wait between coats of paint in a room?

The wait time between paint coats depends on the paint type, the surface, and environmental factors. Wait 2-4 hours for water-based latex paints, while oil-based paints may require 24 hours between coats for optimal results.

What is the 90 10 rule for paint?

The 90/10 rule requires that “90% of all thickness measurements should be greater than or equal to the NDFT (or, Nominal Dry Film Thickness) and none of the remaining 10% measurements should be below 0.9 x NDFT".

Which paint has the best coverage?

The results for coverage after one coat of these paints were as follows, listing the best coverage to the least amount of coverage:
  • Benjamin Moore Aura (best coverage after one coat)
  • Behr Marquee.
  • PPG Manor Hall.
  • Sherwin Williams Emerald (least amount of coverage after one coat)

How much can a professional painter paint in a day?

Professional painters will typically be able to paint anywhere between 150 and 350 square feet per hour. In a typical 8-hour workday, this means they'll be able to cover an average of 1,200 to 2,800 square feet of paintable area.

How much does 1 gallon of paint cost?

The average cost of a gallon of paint is $25, but prices might range from $20 to $70. Paint prices depend on the type, quality of the paint, and quantity of paint. Walking into a paint store—or even just the paint section of your local home improvement store—can feel overwhelming.

How far does a 5-gallon bucket of paint go?

A: A 5-gallon bucket of paint can cover up to 2000 square feet of space.

How long does paint take to dry?

While paints dry to the touch/re-coat within a matter of hours, most paints do not fully cure for up to 30 days. Paint is most sensitive within the 30-day curing process, so it is important to use caution with newly painted surfaces.

What is the spreading rate of paint?

The spread rate of paint paint refers to the construction area that can be painted by a unit weight of paint paint. The spread rate of paint is a key factor in calculating the amount and cost of paint for users. Therefore, the coating spread rate is one of the issues that users are very concerned about.

How to calculate spreading rate?

In geologic time this is very fast! It is possible to calculate the spreading rate of one side of a mid-ocean ridge by dividing distance by time (Distance/Time = Rate). This is called a half-spreading rate. Multiply it by 2 to get the full spreading rate for both sides of the ridge.

Are two coats of paint enough?

Weathered Surfaces: If the existing paint is weathered, faded, or peeling, applying two coats is generally recommended to ensure proper coverage, adhesion, and protection against moisture and UV damage.

How to stretch a gallon of paint?

Here's how you can stretch it.
  1. 1 – Water It Down. Some interior latex paint is marked as safe to mix with water. ...
  2. 2 – Thin It With Paint Thinner. Paint thinner is also an option; you might see it listed as mineral spirits. ...
  3. 3 – Mix With Other Paint.

Why is my paint not spreading evenly?

Why it happens: Uneven or blotchy paint occurs when you've either skipped priming or not adequately primed your wall before painting. This can also result from not applying enough coats of paint to get a uniform finish.

How do you paint high to reach places?

A few specialty tool options for painting high walls and ceilings include: Extension Pole Adapter - Fit your paintbrush or other tools on the end of your extension pole to cut in your paint or reach hard-to-get project corners.

Should I hire a painter or do it myself?

Overall, it would be best to decide whether you are up to the challenge of painting your home interior. While going the DIY way saves you money. Hiring a professional painting contractor will save you time and guarantee flawless results. Also, you can take a back seat and relax while the work is done.

How many gallons of paint do I need for a 12x12 room?

Next, divide 384 by 400 since a gallon of paint can usually cover 400 square feet. That number is . 96, so you can buy 1 gallon of paint for a 12-by-12 room with 8-foot-tall walls. However, if you're adding a second coat, multiply that number by two and buy two gallons of paint.

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