How to estimate paint for your ceiling
Ceiling area is simply the room length times the width, and this calculator focuses on that. Check the ceiling option, and if you only want the ceiling, set doors and windows to zero. The wall figure is there if you decide to do both.
Flat ceiling paint covers about 350 square feet per gallon. Popcorn or heavily textured ceilings soak up more, so drop the coverage in Advanced if yours is textured.
Coverage cheat sheet
| Surface / situation | Approx. coverage per gallon |
|---|
| Smooth, previously painted surface | 350 to 400 sq ft |
| New or bare wood / drywall (thirsty) | 250 to 350 sq ft |
| Textured, rough, or weathered | 200 to 300 sq ft |
| Primer | 200 to 300 sq ft |
This tool defaults to 350 sq ft per gallon for a ceiling. Change it under
Advanced if your surface is rougher or more porous than average.
Frequently asked questions
How much paint do I need for a ceiling?
Multiply the room length by width for the ceiling area, then divide by coverage. A 12 by 12 ceiling is 144 square feet, so a single gallon easily covers two coats.
Do I need special ceiling paint?
Ceiling paint is formulated to be thicker and spatter less, and it usually dries dead flat to hide imperfections. It is worth using rather than leftover wall paint on a highly visible ceiling.
How many square feet does a gallon of paint cover?
One gallon of interior wall paint typically covers 350 to 400 square feet in a single coat. Textured, porous, or dark-to-light surfaces cover less, so this calculator uses a conservative default to keep you from coming up short.
Should I buy extra paint?
Yes. Keep a little for touch-ups. Rounding up to full gallons usually gives you enough of a cushion; for large jobs, add roughly 10 percent so you have a color-matched can on the shelf later.