Painting Job Cost Estimator

Quote a painting job: gallons from wall area, coats and coverage, labor hours from your production rate, plus supplies, markup and sales tax.

Wall (and ceiling) area after subtracting large doors and windows.
ft² per gal per coat
Read it from the can; 350–400 ft²/gal is common on smooth primed walls, less on rough or porous surfaces. (1 m²/L ≈ 40.7 ft²/gal.)
$per gallon
Example rate — enter your own.
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$per job
Example rate — enter your own.
Your rate is remembered on this device.
$per hour
Example rate — enter your own. BLS reports a May 2025 median wage of $23.75/h for construction and maintenance painters; a billed rate must also cover payroll taxes, insurance and overhead.
Your rate is remembered on this device.
ft² per hour per coat
How much one painter covers per hour per coat, including cutting in. Track it on your own jobs.
%
Added to direct costs (materials + labor + fees) to cover overhead and profit. Example rate — enter your own.
Your rate is remembered on this device.
%
Your combined state + local rate. Example rate — enter your own.
Your rate is remembered on this device.
Whether labor and services are taxable depends on your state. Check with your state revenue department.
Estimated TOTAL
$542.25
Paint needed
2.29 gal
Labor hours
5.3 h
Paint (3 gal)
$135.00
Rounded up to whole gallons.
Supplies
$40.00
Labor (5.3 h)
$266.67
Direct cost (before markup)
$441.67
Overhead & profit (20%)
$88.33
Subtotal
$530.00
Sales tax (7% on materials at cost)
$12.25
Cost per ft²
$1.36
Cost per m²
$14.59

Estimate generated with SortedSums: https://sortedsums.com/paint-job-estimator/. For informational purposes only; verify before relying on it.

Estimate only. This tool is for informational and educational purposes. Results depend on your inputs and simplifying assumptions, and are not a substitute for professional engineering, design or financial advice. Always verify with a qualified professional and applicable codes before purchasing, building or making decisions.

How it’s calculated

Paint and labor both scale with the area times the number of coats.

Gallons = area × coats ÷ coverage (bought rounded up) Labor hours = area × coats ÷ production rate Direct cost = gallons × $/gal + supplies + hours × $/h TOTAL = direct cost × (1 + markup%) + tax

Example (default example rates): 400 ft², 2 coats = 800 ft² of painting. 800 ÷ 350 = 2.29 gal, so buy 3 gal × $45 = $135. Labor 800 ÷ 150 = 5.33 h × $50 = $266.67; supplies $40. Direct cost $441.67; +20% = $530.00; 7% tax on materials ($175) = $12.25. TOTAL = $542.25 (≈ $1.36 per ft² of wall).

This is a planning estimate only. It does not include anything not entered above, such as permits, inspections, engineering, site preparation, demolition or disposal (unless entered), access or equipment problems, regional surcharges, contingency or price changes. Get written quotes before committing. For painting that includes primer, surface repair, scraping, lead-safe work practices in pre-1978 homes, moving furniture, trim and doors priced separately, and ladders or lifts.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a gallon of paint cover?

Many interior paints list 350–400 ft² per gallon per coat on smooth, primed walls. Rough, porous or dark-to-light color changes need more paint, so use the figure on the can and adjust from experience.

How fast does a painter work?

It depends on the surface, prep and how much cutting in there is. Track square feet per hour on your own jobs and enter that as the production rate; it drives the labor cost.

Do I need two coats?

Usually, for an even finish, especially with a color change. Fresh drywall also needs primer, which you can add by including an extra coat or adding primer to supplies.

How do I find the wall area?

Multiply the room perimeter by the wall height, then subtract large openings (a door is about 20 ft², a typical window about 15 ft²).

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Sources

Formulas are taken from the free public references above. Results are provided “as is” for informational and educational purposes only. See our disclaimer.

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