How much primer for a 12x12 room?

Author: Christine Gutkowski  |  Last update: Friday, January 23, 2026

Primer actually covers less area than paint does, at about 200 to 300 square feet per gallon. For a small room of 400 square feet, you'd need 2 gallons of primer. A good rule of thumb is to divide the total square footage of what you're painting by 200 to know how much primer you need to buy.

How much will 1 gallon of primer cover?

In general, one gallon of paint or primer will cover roughly 250-350 square feet of surface. Save time and money with the KILZ paint calculator to estimate the amount of paint or primer needed for your next project.

How much area will 5 gallons of primer cover?

Primer only covers 200–300 square feet per gallon, so you'll need slightly more primer than paint. Take your earlier total area and divide that number by 300 to get the minimum gallons of primer you'll need for one coat.

How much does a 5 gallon bucket of paint and primer cover?

Q: How many square feet does a 5-gallon bucket of paint cover? A: A 5-gallon bucket of paint can cover up to 2000 square feet of space.

How far does a 5 gallon bucket of primer go?

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.

How much paint do I need to cover a 12x12 room?

How much paint is needed for a 12x12 room?

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.

Is a 5 gallon bucket of paint cheaper?

If you're willing to paint them the same color, you can save money on paint by buying in bulk and purchasing a 5 gallon bucket instead of a couple of gallon buckets, or a gallon instead of a quart. Another good way to spend less on paint is to consider combining projects with a friend, family member or neighbor.

How much paint is needed for a 10x10 room?

Giving you an example, caculating the square footage of a 10'x10' room, with a ceiling height of 10 feet, is about 400 square feet (10' Height x 10' Width = 100' x 4 Walls = 400'). If your paints Coverage Rate is 400 square feet per gallon, then you'll require one gallon.

How do I calculate how much primer I need?

A good rule of thumb is to divide the total square footage of what you're painting by 200 to know how much primer you need to buy. For example, if you're priming a 144-square-foot room, you'll divide 144 by 200. This leaves you with . 72 gallons, meaning you'd be safe buying just 1 gallon of primer.

How much do painters charge?

In the state of California, it costs approximately $2 to $4 per square foot to paint a house.

Do I need two coats of primer?

In short, you will typically need 2 coats of primer for most painting projects.

Can you use too much primer?

Using too much primer may make your skin slippery and oily, especially if you're using a product containing silicones or hydrating ingredients. Be careful with colour-correcting primers, focusing on areas of discolouration. If you use too much of a green primer, you may look sickly.

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.

Is 1 gallon of paint enough for a bedroom?

The average bedroom requires 1 gallon (3.70 liters) of wall paint. A one gallon (3.70 liter) can of wall paint covers about 375 – 400 square feet (35 to 37 square meters).

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.

How much does it cost to paint a 12x12 room yourself?

Painting a 12x12 Room Yourself

Depending on the quality and color of the paints and other items you purchase it will likely be in the range of $100 to $300. Make sure to be prepared with a list of items you need, including paints, brushes, and other critical accessories before you head to the store. $5-$11 per sq.

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.

What time of year does paint go on sale?

Shop seasonal sales.

Shop the week leading up to Memorial Day or the Fourth of July. "It's typically when paint manufacturers and retailers put paint on sale," says Debbie Zimmer, director of communications for the PQI.

How to save money on paint?

Choose color wisely

A smart way to save money when painting your house is to use the colors that already exist, rather than changing the color scheme completely. You can get the job done with one coat instead of two, which will help save time and, therefore, money.

Why is a gallon of paint so expensive?

The cost of interior paint is influenced considerably by factors such as raw material quality, brand reputation, innovation and technological investments, packaging, marketing strategy, and economies of scale.

Can I use Kilz as a primer?

KILZ 2 ALL-PURPOSE Primer blocks medium stains including minor water stains, rust, grease, ink, pencil and felt marker. Enhanced hiding makes it ideal for changing colors and helps lessen the number of coats of paint required.

How much does 1 gallon of Kilz primer cover?

Coverage: 300-400 sq. ft. (28-37 m2) per gallon depending on application method and surface porosity.

What is the best primer for new drywall?

Here are some of the best primers for new drywall: PVA primer: PVA (polyvinyl acrylic) primer is a water-based primer that is specifically designed for use on new drywall. It is easy to apply, dries quickly, and helps to seal the surface, making it less porous and more receptive to paint.

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