How much does a gallon of paint cover?
A gallon of interior paint covers roughly 350 square feet in one coat. It's a typical value — real coverage depends on the product, the surface texture, and porosity, so check the label. For two coats, figure the wall area twice; primer on bare or patched surfaces is extra.
Source: Manufacturer coverage (typical ~350 sq ft/gal) · Verify against your AHJ and the adopted code edition.
The rule of thumb is ~350 square feet per gallon for one coat of interior paint. To estimate a job: add up the wall area, divide by 350, and round up.
A few things move the number:
- Coats. Most jobs are two coats, so figure the area twice (area × 2 ÷ 350). Deep color changes may need three.
- Surface. Rough, textured, or porous surfaces (bare drywall, masonry) drink more paint and drop coverage.
- Primer on new, patched, or stained surfaces is a separate quantity.
- Openings. Gross wall area is fine for a quick number; subtract large windows and doors for a tighter estimate.
Coverage is a manufacturer figure and varies — the label is the source of truth for the exact product.
Work it out: the drywall & paint takeoff turns a wall’s width and height into both the drywall sheet count and the paint gallons for one or two coats.