Quick answer: coverage per gallon in Canada
Most interior latex sold in Canada lists about 350–400 sq ft per gallon on smooth, primed drywall for one coat — Behr, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Cloverdale, Dulux, Sico, Beauti-Tone, CIL, and Valspar all cluster there. Primer and exterior products are lower. Always use the Coverage line on your specific can.
Turn that into gallons with the paint coverage calculator or how much paint. Compare labels on the Canadian brand chart. This site is not affiliated with any manufacturer.
Where to find coverage on the can
Look for "Coverage" or "Spread rate" — typically 250–400 sq ft per gallon for interior latex, lower for rough surfaces and exterior stain.
That number assumes one coat on a smooth, properly prepared surface. Multiply your total area by coat count before dividing.
Factors that reduce coverage
Our calculator includes a waste allowance you can adjust. Ten percent is standard for walls; fifteen percent for complex rooms with many corners.
- Textured walls (orange peel, knockdown)
- Unprimed porous surfaces (new drywall, bare wood)
- Rolling vs spraying (spray often uses more product)
- Deep colors requiring thick application
- Cutting in waste and tray residue — add 10% buffer
Adjust coverage for your wall type
Use the coverage calculator with your measured sq ft and realistic coverage number — not the marketing maximum.
- Smooth primed drywall: use label high end (~400 sq ft)
- Orange peel texture: use ~300 sq ft/gallon
- Unprimed repairs showing through: lower effective coverage
- Spray vs brush: spray can list higher — brush/roll uses more
Typical ranges by brand (planning only)
No brand publishes one coverage number for every product. These ranges help you sanity-check the label before you enter it in the calculator.
- Behr Premium Plus Interior (Home Depot): often up to 400 sq ft/gallon on smooth primed drywall
- Benjamin Moore Regal Select / Aura: commonly 350–400 sq ft/gallon
- Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint / Duration: commonly 350–400 sq ft/gallon
- Cloverdale interiors (Western Canada): often ~400 sq ft/gallon — confirm the can
- Dulux Diamond / Lifemaster (Canadian Tire): often ~400 sq ft per 3.78 L
- Sico, Beauti-Tone, CIL, Valspar: same 350–400 cluster on ideal walls
- Primer: typically 250–350 sq ft/gallon — lower than finish paint
- Exterior: often 200–300 sq ft/gallon on wood siding
Use the number on your can
Enter room dimensions in the paint coverage calculator and set sq ft per gallon to the figure on the can in your hand — Behr, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Cloverdale, Dulux, or another brand. That matches what a brand-specific tool would do without tying you to one manufacturer.
How much paint from coverage?
Take paintable sq ft × coats ÷ label coverage. Example: 384 sq ft walls × 2 coats ÷ 400 sq ft/gallon ≈ 1.9 → buy 2 gallons. Prefer coats, waste, and store quantities in one pass? Use how much paint do I need.
Prefer coverage-only math (one coat at a time)? Stay on the coverage calculator. Brand table: coverage by brand.