Ceilings are the easiest surface to underestimate because you can't just eyeball them. This calculator tells you how many gallons of ceiling paint to buy based on your room footprint and coat count.
Room Dimensions
ft
ft
Paint Coats
coats
Scenario: You're painting the ceiling of a 12 ft x 18 ft master bedroom with 2 coats.
Result: Ceiling area is 216 sq ft. At 2 coats, that's 432 sq ft of coverage needed. At 350 sq ft per gallon, buy 2 gallons.
A 12x12 room has a 144 sq ft ceiling. At 350 sq ft per gallon, one gallon covers it in one coat. For 2 coats, you'd still only need 1 gallon (288 sq ft needed vs. 350 sq ft coverage).
Yes. Ceiling paint is thicker, has a dead-flat sheen to hide imperfections, and is formulated to minimize drips and splatter. You can use wall paint on a ceiling, but ceiling paint makes the job easier and looks better overhead.
One coat is enough when painting over a similar light color. Use 2 coats when covering stains, going from a color to white, or painting new drywall. A stain-blocking primer handles water stains better than extra coats of paint.
350-400 sq ft per gallon on smooth drywall. Textured or popcorn ceilings absorb more paint and reduce coverage to 200-300 sq ft per gallon.
Want to learn more before you start your project?
Read the full guide →
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