Estimate flat ceiling paint and get an immediate purchase recommendation.
01 / Formula
How this is calculated
Paint = (length × width × coats) ÷ coverage02 / Assumptions
What the estimate assumes
- ✓The ceiling is flat and rectangular.
- ✓Sloped, vaulted, coffered, or beamed areas should be measured by actual surface area.
- ✓The default coverage is editable.
03 / Worked example
See the math in context
A 12 × 16 ft ceiling is 192 sq ft. Two coats require coverage for 384 sq ft, or about 1.1 gallons at 350 sq ft/gal.
04 / Guidance
Ceiling application
Ceilings can be more difficult to coat evenly. A modest reserve helps maintain a wet edge and covers application loss from rollers and trays.
Questions
Frequently asked
Should I round up when buying paint?+
Yes. Paint is sold in fixed container sizes, and a small reserve helps with touch-ups, porous surfaces, and application loss. The calculator shows both the theoretical quantity and a practical purchase amount.
Does paint coverage include two coats?+
Coverage printed on a can is normally stated per coat. Two coats cover the same surface twice, so the calculator multiplies net area by the number of coats before dividing by the selected coverage rate.