How Much Paint Do I Need for a 12x12 Room?

Quick Answer

A 12x12 room with 8-foot ceilings has about 384 square feet of wall area before subtracting openings. Most two-coat projects need about 2 gallons of paint.

Use the [Paint Calculator](/paint-calculator) to adjust the dimensions, waste factor, product coverage, and unit price for your exact project.

Formula

``

Gallons = wall area x coats / coverage per gallon

``

Example Estimate

1. Perimeter is 48 feet.

2. Wall area is 48 x 8 = 384 square feet.

3. Two coats cover 768 square feet.

4. At 400 square feet per gallon, 768 / 400 = 1.92 gallons.

Reference Table

| Ceiling height | One coat | Two coats |

|---|---:|---:|

| 8 ft | 1 gallon | 2 gallons |

| 9 ft | 2 gallons | 3 gallons |

| 10 ft | 2 gallons | 3 gallons |

Practical Tips

- Keep leftover paint for touch-ups.

- Use primer for new drywall or major color changes.

- Use the label coverage number for best accuracy.

When to Round Up

Round up when the project has cuts, corners, fragile materials, uneven surfaces, delivery minimums, or any chance that matching the same product later will be difficult.

Next Step

Open the [Paint Calculator](/paint-calculator), enter your exact numbers, and save the estimate before buying materials.