Paint Cost Calculator
How much does it cost to paint a room? Calculate the complete cost of your painting project including paint, primer, and all necessary supplies.
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Last updated June 11, 2026 by our expert review team
Paint Quality Budget Tradeoff
Cheaper paint is not always the cheaper project. Coverage, coat count, touch-ups, and room wear all change the real budget.
Economy
$28/gal
Rentals, low-wear rooms, same-color refresh
350 sq ft/gal
Lowest shelf price, but darker color changes may need extra coats.
Standard
$40/gal
Most bedrooms, halls, and living rooms
400 sq ft/gal
Best default when you want predictable coverage without premium pricing.
Premium
$55/gal
Kitchens, baths, trim, kids' rooms, bold colors
450 sq ft/gal
Higher up-front cost, but often fewer coats and better scrub resistance.
Expert Contributors
Cherry Jane Limbago
Licensed Civil Engineer & Master Plumber
Licensed civil engineer and master plumber with 10+ years in structural design, estimation, and project management. Currently Project Engineer at Universal Robina Corporation.
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Certified Cost & Estimating Professional
AACE-certified estimator working with 20+ insulation companies including the two largest franchises in America.
See full profileUpdated June 2026
How we verify our calculatorsDIY or Hire a Pro? Paint Cost Showdown
Painting yourself only costs materials — hiring a pro adds labor. See the gap, and what your time is worth.
Your project
Do it yourself and save
Rule of thumb: for a room or two, DIY usually wins. Pro rates run ~$2–4/sq ft (Midwest) to $4–7 (coastal).
Cost to Paint a House Interior by Size
All-in pro repaint (labor + materials), walls and ceilings. DIY or simple jobs land near the low end; premium paint, high ceilings, and heavy prep push to the high end.
| Home size | Budget | Average | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 | $3,750 | $6,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $3,750 | $5,625 | $9,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $5,000 | $7,500 | $12,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $6,250 | $9,375 | $15,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $7,500 | $11,250 | $18,000 |
Based on $2.50–$6.00 per sq ft of floor area for interior repaints. Exterior and trim-heavy work costs more.
Cost to Paint a Room by Size
Single room, 8 ft walls, 2 coats. DIY is materials only; pro is all-in. Add ~30% for ceilings and trim.
| Room | Wall area | DIY | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 320 sq ft | $140 | $690 |
| 10 × 12 ft | 352 sq ft | $140 | $760 |
| 12 × 12 ft | 384 sq ft | $140 | $830 |
| 12 × 16 ft | 448 sq ft | $180 | $960 |
| 14 × 16 ft | 480 sq ft | $180 | $1,030 |
Walls only at standard paint. Use the calculator above for your exact dimensions, primer, and supplies.
Cost & Coverage by Quality Tier
ft²/galPremium paint costs more per gallon but covers more area and typically needs fewer coats, often making it cheaper overall.
Pro Tips
Benjamin Moore Regal Select is best budgeted around $55-65/gal. Premium paints cost more up front, but stronger hide and better washability can cut recoat risk in busy rooms.
Professional painters charge $2-4/sq ft in the Midwest and $4-7/sq ft in coastal cities. Get 3 quotes; rates vary 40% even within the same metro area.
Prep work accounts for 60 to 80% of a pro painter's time. Expect $0.50-1.50/sq ft for patching, sanding, caulking, and taping. Skipping prep leads to peeling within 1 to 2 years.
DIY a 12x12 room for $80-150, or hire a pro for $400-800. Below 2 rooms, DIY saves money; above 3 rooms, a pro's speed makes hiring worthwhile.
Behr Ultra ($35/gal at Home Depot) is the best mid-range value. Consumer Reports rates it equal to paints costing $20 more.
Buy all your paint at once and have the store shake it into a single 5-gallon bucket (called "boxing"). This eliminates color variation between gallons.
Painting trim? Our baseboard calculator estimates how many linear feet of baseboard you need before painting.
How the Calculator Works
The calculator starts with wall height times room perimeter, then subtracts 20 sq ft for each average interior door and 15 sq ft for each average window. It adds the same 10% order buffer used by the paint calculator so gallon counts stay aligned across the sibling pages.
Paint tiers use practical coverage rates: economy about 350 sq ft/gal, standard about 400 sq ft/gal, and premium about 450 sq ft/gal. Primer is estimated as ceil(buffered area / 300). Labor uses selectable $2, $3.50, and $5.50 per sq ft tiers so you can separate DIY material cost from installed cost.
Formula
Paintable Area = (Height x Perimeter) - (Doors x 20 sq ft) - (Windows x 15 sq ft)
Gallons = ceil((Paintable Area x 1.10 x Coats) / Tier Coverage)
Total Cost = Paint + Primer + Supplies + Optional Labor
Quick Reference
- Avg door area
- 20 sq ft
- Avg window area
- 15 sq ft
- Gallon coverage
- 350-450 sq ft
- Order buffer
- 10%
- Recommended coats
- 2
Frequently Asked Questions About Paint Cost
How much does it cost to paint a 12x12 room?
DIY materials are usually about $80-180 before tools you already own. A professional repaint commonly lands around $400-800 depending on prep, trim, ceiling height, and local labor.
Do I really need primer?
Yes for new drywall, dramatic color changes, and stain-blocking. A primer like Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 ($28/gal) saves you from needing a third coat.
Is premium paint worth the extra cost?
Usually yes in kitchens, baths, halls, and kids' rooms. Benjamin Moore Regal Select is best budgeted around $55-65/gal and can reduce repaint risk because it hides and washes better than economy paint.
How much does it cost to hire a painter?
Professional interior painting often prices around $2-5.50 per sq ft for wall work before unusually heavy prep. A single 12x12 room costs about $400-800; whole-house interiors vary widely.
What's the best paint sheen for each room?
Flat for ceilings, eggshell for living rooms, satin for hallways and kids' rooms, semi-gloss for kitchens, bathrooms, and trim.
How long should I wait between coats?
Latex often needs 2 to 4 hours near 77°F and 50% RH. Below 50°F or above 85% RH, wait longer and check the can before recoating.
Should I use a brush or roller?
Use a 9" roller with 3/8" nap for smooth walls and a 2.5" angled brush for edges. For textured walls, use a 3/4" nap roller.
How do I estimate prep work costs?
Basic prep adds $0.50/sq ft. Moderate prep (patching, caulking, priming) adds $1.00-1.50/sq ft. Heavy prep adds $2.00-4.00/sq ft.
Paint Cost Estimates for Common Projects
Bedroom
Master Bedroom DIY (14x16, 8 ft ceilings)
Tip: A weekend project. The 10% buffer matches the quantity calculator and leaves touch-up paint from the same batch.
House
Whole-House Interior Pro Job (1,800 sq ft home)
Tip: Labor is the largest line item. This assumes a 2-coat premium repaint of the walls (no full prime) at standard professional complexity.
Kitchen
Kitchen Cabinet Repaint (30 linear ft)
Tip: Cabinet projects use less square footage but much more prep time. For pro bids, expect the quote to be driven by doors and finish quality.
Paint Cost Mistakes That Cost You Money
Skipping Primer to Save Money
Without primer on new drywall, you'll need 3 coats instead of 2. A $28/gal primer saves $40-55 in extra paint and prevents stain bleed-through.
Buying the Cheapest Paint Available
Economy paint ($25-30/gal) can need extra coats. Premium paint ($55-65/gal for Regal Select-type products) is often a better value in rooms that get wiped, scuffed, or repainted often.
Not Accounting for Texture and Porosity
Textured walls and bare wood absorb 20 to 30% more paint. Increase your estimate by 25% for orange peel or knockdown texture.
Painting in Bad Weather Conditions
Most dry-time specs assume about 77°F and 50% RH. Below 50°F or above 85% RH, dry time stretches and adhesion can suffer.
Forgetting to Factor in Prep Costs
Budget $50-100 per room for spackle, caulk, sandpaper, and TSP. Skipping prep leads to peeling within 6 to 12 months.
Underestimating the Perimeter Measurement
Measure each wall individually. Closets, bump-outs, and odd angles in a 12x14 room add 4+ feet beyond a simple rectangle estimate.
Important Disclaimer
These estimates are for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, material availability, and project complexity. Always get at least 3 local quotes. This calculator does not replace professional advice.