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

Author: Ms. Mikayla Hills II  |  Last update: Sunday, January 11, 2026

How much paint do I need for a 12x12 room? For a 12x12 room with average 8-foot ceilings, you will need approximately 1.5 gallons of paint.

Will one gallon of paint cover a 12x12 room?

Generally, a gallon covers 350-400 sq ft. To determine the paint needed for a 12×12 room, calculate the wall square footage. Multiply wall length by height. For a 12×12 room with 8 ft ceiling, walls total 384 sq ft (12 ft x 4 walls x 8 ft).

How much does 5 gal of paint cover?

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

Is 2 gallons of paint enough for a room?

Whether you're painting a powder room or the exterior of your house, paint coverage is fairly universal. The general rule of thumb is one gallon per 400 square feet.

How much should it 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 much does it cost to paint a 12x12 room

Is it cheaper to paint your own room?

On average, if you already own paint equipment, you'll pay about $415 to paint a room. If you need to buy equipment, that brings the total cost up to about $760. Hiring a professional painter will cost between three and five times more than painting the room yourself, for a total project cost approaching $2,000.

How long does it take to paint a 12 by 12 room?

The time it takes to finish a room depends on your experience, wall texture, paint color, and the age of your house. You may also finish the room and realize it needs a second coat! A 12-foot by 12-foot bedroom (144 square feet) could take about five hours.

How many rooms can 1 gallon paint?

Rule-of-thumb

One gallon can of paint will cover up to 400 square feet, which is enough to cover a small room like a bathroom.

Do I need to prime before painting?

Whether you're learning how primer should look on a wall or how to prime new drywall, primer helps paint produce a good finish on the wall. It also helps cover existing paint colors and blemishes. Wall surfaces like drywall, masonry and wood are porous. If you don't use primer, they can absorb paint unevenly.

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.

How many coats of primer?

You will want to use 2-3 coats of primer to ensure there is a good bond between the new paint and the wall, and also to cover up any previous colors, especially if they are red, orange, or a strange outdated color. In short, you will typically need 2 coats of primer for most painting projects.

Does paint go bad over time?

How Long Can You Keep Paint Before It Goes Bad? We've all been there—a painting project doesn't use up all the paint you bought, and now it's time to hammer the lid back on and take it to the garage or basement storage area. That paint will go bad in two to fifteen years.

How many cans of paint do I need for a 10x10 room?

If your paints Coverage Rate is 300 square feet per gallon, you'll need 1.33 gallons for the job. But, don't forget to subtract out the area for your rooms/walls windows and doors, then in our example, you'll likely need only one gallon for your typical 10' x 10' room or area.

How many square feet is a 12x12 room?

How many square feet is a 12x12 room? To measure square footage, multiply the length and width of the room in feet. In the case of a 12x12 room, simply multiply 12 by 12, resulting in 144 square feet.

Does paint coverage include two coats?

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.

Can I just paint over old paint?

How Do I Paint Over Painted Walls? If the wall is in good condition and the paints are chemically the same (both latex, for instance), you have a few options when the new paint is the opposite shade of the old paint. You can use a primer to thoroughly cover the old color, then apply 1 or 2 coats of the new paint.

What is better, eggshell or satin?

Of the two, satin is more durable and is slightly less likely to scuff or mark than eggshell and it's easier to clean when it does get marked. This makes it a better choice, especially for woodwork such as painting skirting boards, than eggshell for high traffic areas like hallways and living rooms.

Should I use Kilz before painting?

KILZ 2® All-Purpose primer is a great choice for light to dark color changes. And if your walls have tough or exceptionally dark stains or damage from smoke or water, KILZ® Original Primer and KILZ Restoration are both formulated to block severe stains. Priming before painting ensures your paint color pops!

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

How much paint do I need for a 12x12 room? For a 12x12 room with average 8-foot ceilings, you will need approximately 1.5 gallons of paint.

How much does a 5 gallon bucket of paint cover?

One gallon of paint covers approximately 300–400 square feet depending on the porosity of the surface and how thick it is applied. A five gallon bucket of paint will therefore cover approximately 1500–2000 square feet.

Is there a paint and primer in one?

When To Use a Paint & Primer In One. If you want to paint a wall that already has paint on it, and there won't be an extreme change in color or texture, then you are free to use a paint-and-primer-in-one because it can be useful for these scenarios. Paint-and-primer-in-one works on pre-painted surfaces.

Can you fully paint a room in a day?

Painting a room can seem daunting, but with the right preparation and techniques, it's possible to complete the project in just one day. At Columbia Paint, we understand that time is precious, and we're here to help you achieve a professional-looking finish quickly and efficiently.

How to clean walls before painting?

Cleaning walls and trim will remove grime, cobwebs, dust and stains that can prevent your paint from adhering. Use a mixture of lukewarm water and mild soap, gently rubbing in a circular motion. Rinse your walls using a slightly damp cellulose sponge.

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