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Paint Calculator

Estimate paint litres and cost for your walls from the area in sq ft, number of coats and coverage. Plan your painting budget in India.

sq ft

Sum of the walls and ceiling you plan to paint.

coats
sq ft/L

Check the tin: most Indian emulsions cover 100–140 sq ft per litre per coat.

%

Paint required

20 L

9.09 L per coat

Estimated cost

₹5,000

Includes the waste allowance. Coverage varies with the surface finish — porous plaster absorbs more than a smooth primer coat.

Paint Calculator on True Calculator gives you an instant, accurate answer with no sign-up and no app install. Estimate paint litres and cost for your walls from the area in sq ft, number of coats and coverage. Plan your painting budget in India. Every result shows the formula and a worked example so you can verify the calculation yourself, and all values are computed in your own browser — your numbers never leave your device.

Popular uses: paint calculator · paint quantity calculator · how much paint do i need

Reviewed by the True Calculator team · Last updated: August 2026

How We Calculate

This calculator uses standard construction and engineering formulas verified by our team. All calculations are performed instantly in your browser using JavaScript — no data is sent to any server.

Material quantities follow common construction practice and standard mix ratios. Always confirm with a professional before purchasing materials.

When to Use This Calculator

Every repaint in India starts with the same question — how many tins of paint should I buy? Whether it is a 2BHK in Mumbai, a newly plastered house in Lucknow, or a shop front in Kochi, this calculator turns the wall area into litres and rupees before you visit the dealer. It helps you compare quotes honestly, since painters sometimes overstate litres and pocket the difference, and it works backwards too: if the tin says coverage in sq ft per litre, enter that exact figure. Budget for primer, putty and labour separately — this tool covers the paint itself, in the sq ft and ₹ units Indian contractors actually use.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Step 1: Enter the total wall and ceiling area to paint, in sq ft.
  2. Step 2: Enter the number of coats — 2 is standard for emulsion.
  3. Step 3: Set the coverage from your tin (100–140 sq ft per litre) and the price per litre.
  4. Step 4: Read the litres needed, litres per coat and the total paint cost.

Worked Example

A family repainting a 1,000 sq ft flat interior in Bengaluru plans two coats of emulsion. Their tin claims 110 sq ft per litre per coat, so each coat needs 1000 ÷ 110 = 9.09 litres and two coats need 18.18 litres. With a 10% waste allowance for roller splatter and cutting-in, the total comes to 20 litres. At ₹250 per litre, the paint alone costs 20 × 250 = ₹5,000 — before primer, labour and putty, which the painter quotes separately.

Tips and Common Mistakes

  • Tip 1: Measure walls as height × width, subtract windows and doors, and add the ceiling separately.
  • Tip 2: Use the tin's own spread rate — budget emulsions cover less than premium ones on rough plaster.
  • Tip 3: A 20-litre bucket often costs less per litre than 4-litre tins; buy the nearest standard pack size.
  • Mistake 1: Forgetting doors, windows and the ceiling, which inflates the area and the estimate.
  • Mistake 2: Skipping the waste allowance and running out of paint for the second coat.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much paint do I need for one room?

Divide the wall area by the coverage on the tin, then multiply by the number of coats. 1,000 sq ft at 110 sq ft per litre with 2 coats needs about 20 litres including a 10% waste allowance.

What is the typical coverage of Indian emulsion paint?

Most emulsion tins state 100–140 sq ft per litre for one coat on a smooth surface. Rough or unprimed plaster absorbs more, so use the lower end of the range.

How many coats should I plan for?

Two coats of emulsion give an even, rich finish and are standard for repainting. Fresh plaster usually needs a primer first, which is a separate product.

Why add a waste allowance?

Roller splatter, cutting-in around doors and windows, and touch-ups use up paint beyond the neat area calculation. A 10% buffer keeps you from running out mid-job.

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