Exterior Paint Calculator
Gallons of paint for a house exterior.
Enter your values
ⓘ Live results
Results
- Paint needed
- 13.8 gal
- Net wall area
- 2410 sq ft
- 5-gallon buckets
- 2.75
- Primer (1 coat)
- 6.9 gal
Quick answer
Exterior paint need is wall area divided by coverage per gallon, multiplied by the number of coats.
gallons = (wall area x coats) / coverage per gallon
How to use the Exterior Paint Calculator
- 1Measure the house perimeter and average wall height.
- 2Subtract the area of doors and windows.
- 3Choose coverage per gallon (usually 300-400 sq ft) and number of coats.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- House perimeter160 ft
- Wall height16 ft
- Doors/windows area150 sq ft
- Coverage per gallon350 sq ft
- Number of coats2
Results
- Paint needed13.8 gal
- Net wall area2410 sq ft
- 5-gallon buckets2.75
- Primer (1 coat)6.9 gal
Frequently asked questions
Do I need primer on old paint?
Usually not for a spot-clean repaint, but bare wood, stucco or a big colour change needs primer.
Does texture change coverage?
Yes — rough stucco or wood siding can cut coverage by 20-30% versus smooth siding.
About this calculator
- Built and reviewed by James Whitfield · How we build and test calculators
- Report an error
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.