How Much Paint Do I Need? A Simple Coverage Guide

Buying the right amount of paint saves money and avoids the frustration of running out mid-wall — or the risk that a second tin won't colour-match the first. Here's a simple way to estimate.

The basic rule

Most quality paints cover roughly 12–16 square metres per litre per coat, depending on the surface and colour change. As a guide, a 3.7m × 3m room with standard 2.4m ceilings has about 32 square metres of wall area — so roughly 4 litres covers two coats.

Rough coverage per room

• Bedroom — 4L (walls, two coats)
• Living room — 6–8L
• Kitchen / bathroom — 2–4L walls, plus trim paint
• Ceiling — 3–4L per standard room

These are starting points, not exact figures — a professional will calculate precisely.

What changes the maths

• Colour change — dark over light (or vice versa) may need three coats
• Surface texture — rough render and brick absorb far more than smooth plaster
• Priming — bare or patched surfaces need primer first
• Paint quality — premium paints often cover better per litre

Why a painter's estimate beats guesswork

Painters measure, account for doors and windows, and know how much each surface type absorbs. They also buy at trade prices — which is one reason letting them supply the paint is usually cheaper than DIY estimating.

Get an accurate scope and quote for your rooms:

Get painting quotes →

Browse interior painters or read painting costs by room.