What is typical paint coverage?
Interior latex: 350 sq ft/gallon. Primer: 300 sq ft/gallon. Exterior paint: 250 sq ft/gallon on porous siding. Always use the number on your product.
Paint Coverage Calculator
How many square feet does a gallon of paint cover in Canada? It depends on your can label — not a single brand. Enter room dimensions and the sq ft per gallon from Behr, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Cloverdale, Dulux, or any other lid.
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How to use this coverage calculator
Read the Coverage line on your can, enter room size above, set sq ft per gallon to that number, and get gallons per coat. Typical Canadian interiors on smooth primed drywall: about 350–400 sq ft/gallon for Behr Premium Plus, Benjamin Moore Regal Select / Aura, Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint / Duration, Cloverdale interiors, and Dulux Diamond / Lifemaster.
Need coats and waste as a shopping list? Use how much paint do I need. Comparing brands side by side? Use the Canadian paint coverage chart.
How much does a gallon cover? Worked examples
One gallon at 400 sq ft/gallon covers about 400 sq ft of smooth wall in one coat — most of a 12×12 room’s walls (384 sq ft) in a single coat. Two coats doubles the paint: ~1.9 gallons, buy 2 if walls are easy, 3 if textured or a dark-to-light change.
For brand-specific pages see Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Cloverdale, and Dulux. Home Depot cans: how much paint. Full chart: coverage per gallon guide.
Why coverage varies more than people expect
A label that says 400 sq ft/gallon assumes smooth, primed drywall with a light colour. Popcorn ceilings, brick, and unprimed new drywall can drop real-world coverage to 250–300 sq ft/gallon or lower.
Spraying uses more paint than rolling because of overspray; rolling into a deep colour over white may need an extra coat that the label does not account for. Our paint coverage per gallon guide breaks down typical ranges by product type.
Interior vs primer vs exterior numbers
Interior latex: often 350–400 sq ft/gallon. Primer: 250–350 sq ft/gallon. Exterior on wood siding: 200–300 sq ft/gallon. Never mix products in one calculation — run the calculator separately for primer and topcoat.
If you are comparing brands at the store, coverage per gallon is a fair way to compare value: a more expensive can that covers 25% more area may cost less per square foot painted.
Quarts vs gallons at the counter
The results panel shows gallons and quarts. Closets, powder rooms, and single accent walls often need only one or two quarts. Whole rooms and open-plan spaces almost always need full gallons — we round up so you are not caught short.
For a full room estimate that includes coats and waste, also try the how much paint do I need page or the room paint calculator.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Why does my paint cover less than the label?
Textured walls, dark colors, unprimed surfaces, and rolling vs spraying all reduce coverage. Add 10% waste for touch-ups and roller absorption.
Should I buy quarts or gallons?
The calculator shows both. Small accent walls or closets may only need quarts. Whole rooms usually need at least one gallon — we round up for store quantities.
How many square feet does a gallon of paint cover?
Interior latex typically covers 350–400 sq ft per gallon on smooth walls. Primer is often 250–350 sq ft/gallon. Always use the coverage number printed on your paint can — not a generic average.
Does Behr or Benjamin Moore have a coverage calculator?
Manufacturers print sq ft (or m²) per gallon on the can. This independent room-dimension calculator turns that label number into gallons. We are not affiliated with Behr, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Cloverdale, Dulux, or the other brands listed on our Canadian coverage chart.
What is typical paint coverage per gallon in Canada?
Interior latex often lists 350–400 sq ft/gallon on smooth drywall. Primer and exterior lines are lower. Textured walls, deep colours, and unprimed surfaces cover less — use 300–350 sq ft/gallon as a realistic DIY default if the room is not ideal.
Related calculators
Brand names appear only so you can match typical Canadian label coverage. Paint Calculator is an independent tool — not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Behr, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Cloverdale Paint, Dulux, Sico, Beauti-Tone, CIL, Valspar, PPG, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, or their parent companies. Always use the Coverage figure printed on your can. Full disclaimer.
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