What is Paint Calculator?

• A professional estimation tool to calculate paint quantity (gallons & quarts), total paintable area, project time, and paint/supplies/total cost across multiple rooms and surfaces.

Who is this tool for?

• Homeowners (DIY), contractors, property managers/renovators, and anyone who wants accurate paint planning.

How do I start a new project?

• A new project starts automatically when you open the tool.
• Load a saved project from the top bar or delete old projects you no longer need.

How do I add rooms?

• Click “+ Add room”, select the room, and enter measurements and settings.
• You can add unlimited rooms and rename them (e.g., Living Room, Bedroom 1).

Which measurement systems are supported?

• Feet / Inches and Meters / Centimeters.
• Switching units converts existing values automatically.

Why am I seeing measurement errors?

• Length, width, or height is zero/negative, or required fields are missing.
• Fix highlighted fields to continue.

When should I use “Enter wall area directly”?

• Irregular/non-rectangular rooms, sloped ceilings, or complex layouts.
• Enter total wall area; the calculator handles the rest.

Why should I add doors and windows?

• They are not paintable; adding them subtracts their area to improve accuracy and prevent over-buying.

Can I change door or window sizes?

• Yes. Select standard sizes or adjust quantities as needed.

What surfaces can I include?

• Walls, ceiling, trim, and doors. Only selected surfaces are included in calculations.

What does “Surface Condition” mean?

• Adjusts paint quantity (e.g., “Good” adds ~10%). Poor/rough surfaces need more paint.

What is the paint coverage rate?

• Area one gallon covers. Default is 400 sq ft/gal; you can enter a custom rate from your paint brand.

Should I include primer?

• Include primer for new drywall, covering dark colors, or porous/repaired surfaces. Primer is calculated separately if enabled.

Is cost estimation optional?

• Yes. Use paint quantity only, or enable cost estimation for a full project budget.

What costs can I include?

• Paint price per gallon, primer price per gallon, optional labor cost, and supplies (brushes/rollers, painter’s tape, drop cloths, other).
• All costs update automatically in the summary.

What are special situations?

• Adjustments for real-world conditions: accent walls, wainscoting/chair rail, crown molding, fireplaces, and built-ins to avoid over/under-estimating.

What does the Project Summary show?

• Total paintable area, estimated time, paint required by surface, cost breakdown, shopping list, and room-by-room details updated in real time.

Why does the calculator suggest extra paint?

• We recommend 10–15% extra for touch-ups, texture variation, and application differences to prevent mid-project shortages.

How accurate is the calculator?

• Provides professional planning estimates; actual usage can vary by texture, brand/finish, application method, and environment. Allow a buffer.

Is this a replacement for a contractor quote?

• No. It is for planning/estimation, not a binding quote.

How do I save a project?

• Click Save to store your project; load saved projects anytime.

What does the PDF include?

• Paint quantities, cost breakdown, shopping list, and project summary—ideal for sharing with contractors or paint stores.

How does sharing work?

• Click Share to generate a link so others can view the estimate.

My totals look wrong — what should I check?

• Room dimensions, unit system (ft vs m), number of coats, doors/windows added correctly, and surface selections. Missing room height or openings are common causes.

Data did not save — what should I do?

• Ensure you clicked Save, avoid clearing browser storage, and contact support if it continues.