How Much Paint Do I Need?

It's important to purchase enough paint to complete your project, without having a large amount of product leftover. Use this step-by step guide to determine how much paint to buy for your exterior project.

For Best Results:

BEHR paints are available in quarts for painting a small area, and five-gallon pails for a very large area.

Determine the number of coats it will take to cover your existing surface.

Don't forget -- there's a handy paint calculator at behr.com for easy calculations. Use the tool for estimates and to find answers to common paint questions such as, "How many square feet does a gallon of paint cover?"

Suggested Tools & Supplies

Calculator
Tape Measure

Step 1
One gallon of any BEHR paint is enough to cover between 250 to 400 square feet of surface area with one coat.
Step 2
To determine the number of coats your project requires, first examine the surface you'll be painting. A porous, rough, textured or previously unpainted surface will generally require more paint, as will a project that involves a dramatic color change.

TIP: If you choose a deep, intense color, you may need multiple coats or even a tinted primer for the best results. Less paint may be needed if your color change is subtle, or your home has many "unpaintable" features such as window panes or decorative stone.
Step 3
Estimate the size of the house body by measuring the perimeter of the house. Then, measure the height of the house from the foundation to the roofline, excluding gables. Multiply the perimeter of the home by the height.

TIP: For a more accurate estimate, subtract doors and windows from your wall area calculation. An average window is 15 square feet and an average door is 20 square feet.
Step 4
If you have gables, multiply the width of the gable by its height, and divide by two. Do this for each gable and add the total to the body measurement.

TIP: Don't forget, each gallon covers between 250-400 square feet. Don't forget to factor in the paint for a second coat if necessary.
Step 5
To estimate the amount of paint you'll need for the trim, estimate the length of total trim. The average trim width is six inches. Multiply the total trim length by 0.5 feet. To estimate the gutter, determine the total length of the gutter. One linear foot of gutter approximates one square foot.

TIP: As a rule, one gallon of paint will cover trim and gutters per eight gallons of body paint.
Step 6
Once you add the trim and gutter calculations together, you'll know the additional paint you'll need for them. For doors, multiply the width by the height to determine the number of square feet.