Paint Calculator
Add your rooms or outside walls, choose the paint and coats, and get the litres of paint and primer, wall putty, which cans to buy, labour and the total cost, with doors and windows taken out.
1Breakdown
Area and paint by room or wall
What each item needs, before wastage and rounding to cans.
| Room | Walls sq.ft. | Ceiling sq.ft. | Paint L | Primer L | Putty kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living room | 466 | 180 | 10.8 | 5.4 | 38.8 |
| Bedroom 1 | 423 | 132 | 9.3 | 4.6 | 33.3 |
| Bedroom 2 | 383 | 110 | 8.2 | 4.1 | 29.6 |
| Kitchen | 323 | 80 | 6.7 | 3.4 | 24.2 |
| Total with wastage | 1,595 | 502 | 36.7 | 18.3 | 126 |
2Compare
Your walls with every paint
The same area and coats with each paint at its typical price and coverage, so you can see what an upgrade costs.
| Paint | Coverage per coat | Paint to buy | Paint cost | Total with labour | Per sq.ft. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic distemper | 90 sq.ft./L | 50 L | ₹7,500 | ₹52,096 | ₹25 |
| Interior emulsion | 120 sq.ft./L | 38 L | ₹10,640 | ₹55,236 | ₹26 |
| Premium emulsion | 140 sq.ft./L | 32 L | ₹13,440 | ₹58,036 | ₹28 |
| Luxury emulsion | 150 sq.ft./L | 30 L | ₹19,500 | ₹64,096 | ₹31 |
3Choose
Which paint should you use?
Price per litre is only half the story. Better paints cover more area per litre, wash better and last longer, so the cost per sq.ft. over the years can be lower.
Distemper
Interior · lowest costGood for: rented homes, stores, quick refreshes where budget matters most.
Watch: not washable; marks and damp show quickly.
Interior emulsion
Interior · everydayGood for: bedrooms and living rooms; smooth matt finish, can be wiped.
Watch: needs putty and primer on new walls for a good finish.
Premium and luxury emulsion
Interior · washableGood for: kitchens, children's rooms and hallways that need scrubbing; sheen finishes.
Watch: sheen shows wall defects, so prepare the surface well.
Exterior emulsion
Exterior · standardGood for: outside walls in moderate climates; resists fading and algae.
Watch: surfaces must be clean and dry; cracks filled first.
Weatherproof exterior
Exterior · heavy rain, sunGood for: coastal and heavy-rain areas, west and south walls that take the sun.
Watch: costs more; pair with a waterproof primer on cracked walls.
Check the can. Coverage depends on the brand, colour and wall. Use the figure on the product label and change the paint rate here to match.
4Reference
Coverage chart
Typical coverage per coat on a smooth, primed wall, and litres for 100 sq.ft. at two coats.
| Product | Use | Coverage per coat | Litres per 100 sq.ft., 2 coats | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic distemper | Interior | 90 sq.ft./L | 2.22 | ₹150/L |
| Interior emulsion | Interior | 120 sq.ft./L | 1.67 | ₹280/L |
| Premium emulsion | Interior | 140 sq.ft./L | 1.43 | ₹420/L |
| Luxury emulsion | Interior | 150 sq.ft./L | 1.33 | ₹650/L |
| Exterior emulsion | Exterior | 100 sq.ft./L | 2.00 | ₹320/L |
| Premium exterior | Exterior | 95 sq.ft./L | 2.11 | ₹480/L |
| Weatherproof exterior | Exterior | 90 sq.ft./L | 2.22 | ₹600/L |
| Interior primer | Interior | 120 sq.ft./L | 0.83 (1 coat) | ₹180/L |
| Exterior primer | Exterior | 100 sq.ft./L | 1.00 (1 coat) | ₹240/L |
| Wall putty | Interior | about 16 sq.ft./kg, 2 coats | 6 kg | ₹25/kg |
5Method
How the quantities are worked out
The same steps a painting contractor uses to quote.
- Buy by the can. The litres needed are rounded up to 20, 10, 4 and 1 litre packs with the least left over.
- Same colour, same batch. Buy all cans of one colour together so the shade matches.
- Keep a little back. A litre or two left over is useful for touch-ups later.
6Scope
What this calculator does and does not do
Knowing the limits helps you add the right margin before you buy.
✓It does
- Work out wall and ceiling area with doors and windows taken out
- Calculate paint, primer and putty for any number of coats
- Suggest cans and bags to buy
- Price materials and labour, per sq.ft.
- Compare paints for the same walls
- Give an order list, CSV, shareable link and print
✕It does not
- Include doors, windows, grills or wood polish
- Cover texture finishes, waterproof coatings or damp repair
- Add scaffolding, furniture moving or cleaning
- Know your brand's exact coverage; use the label figure
- Know your local prices; change the rates to match your dealer
7FAQ
Questions
How much paint do I need per square foot?
It depends on the paint. Per coat, one litre of interior emulsion covers roughly 120 to 150 sq.ft., distemper about 90 sq.ft. and exterior emulsion about 90 to 100 sq.ft. For two coats of emulsion that is about 1.5 to 1.7 litres per 100 sq.ft. The coverage chart on this page lists every type, and the product label gives the exact figure.
How do I calculate the paintable area of a room?
Wall area = 2 × (length + width) × height. Take away doors and windows; this calculator uses about 21 sq.ft. for a door and 16 sq.ft. for a window. Add the ceiling (length × width) if you are painting it.
Do I need primer and putty?
On new plaster, yes: two coats of wall putty for a smooth surface, one coat of primer so the paint sticks evenly, then two coats of paint. When repainting a sound wall in a similar colour, you can usually skip putty and primer; use primer again when going from dark to light or over patches.
How many coats of paint are needed?
Two coats is standard for a uniform finish. A third coat may be needed for strong or dark colours, or when covering a much darker old colour.
How much wall putty is needed?
Roughly 1 kg for 15 to 18 sq.ft. for two coats, depending on how uneven the wall is. The calculator uses 0.06 kg per sq.ft. and rounds up to 40 kg bags.
How is labour charged for painting?
Painters in India usually charge per sq.ft. of paintable area, with putty work priced separately. The calculator uses ₹10 per sq.ft. for primer and paint, ₹8 per sq.ft. for putty and ₹14 per sq.ft. for exteriors; change them to your local rates.
Why does the calculator suggest can sizes?
Paint is sold in 20, 10, 4 and 1 litre packs. The calculator picks a mix that covers your need with the least left over, since unopened large packs usually cost less per litre.
Is my data stored?
No. The calculator runs in your browser and loads no third-party scripts. Inputs leave the page only if you copy the link, share on WhatsApp or download the list.
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