How much interior paint do I need?
One room, per product — wall color, ceiling flat, trim semi-gloss — by coats and coverage. Free, no email required to see the math.
Your room
You'll need
Assumptions (tap to adjust)+
The math, in plain English.
We measure the wall area — the four walls minus your doors and windows — multiply by the number of coats, and divide by how far a gallon goes (the coverage rate on the can), then round up because you can't buy 1.3 gallons. The ceiling gets the same math on its own line, because it's a different product: ceilings take flat white, walls take your color in eggshell or satin, and trim takes semi-gloss. Three surfaces, three cans — never one pooled total.
Sheen and color change how it goes on: a flat white over white might cover in one coat, while a deep color over a light wall often needs primer plus two coats. When in doubt, buy the extra quart — touch-ups later never match a fresh batch.
Trim is figured off the room perimeter (baseboard) at half a gallon per 100 linear feet, rounded to the quart. Add door and window casings on top if you're doing those too. Fresh drywall repair or patches always get primed first.
Interior Paint questions
How many coats do I need?+
Two is standard. One can work for a same-color refresh in good condition; three for a drastic color change or over bare drywall (prime first).
Does sheen change coverage?+
Slightly — glossier paints can cover a touch less and show flaws more. The coverage printed on the can is the number that matters; we default to 350 sq ft per gallon.
Do I need primer over existing paint?+
Usually not for a similar color in good condition. Prime for bare surfaces, big color changes, stains, glossy finishes, or patched drywall.
How much does it cost to paint a room in Vancouver, WA?+
These ranges reflect the Vancouver, WA / Portland metro market — outside the area, treat them as a rough guide. A typical range for a single bedroom-sized room is a few hundred dollars for walls only, more with ceilings, trim, and heavy prep. Want an exact number? Request a free estimate and we price it line by line.
Gallon cans or a 5-gallon bucket — which is cheaper?+
Per gallon, the 5-gallon bucket is almost always cheaper and the color is consistent across the whole job. Buy it once you need four or more gallons of the same color.
Get a free estimate for painting.
You've got the numbers — we've got the crew. Free onsite consult and a line-item quote, usually same day to 48 hours, depending on scope.