---
title: "How much paint do I need? | LocoTap"
description: "The wall, times the coats, plus a tenth spare. 60 of wall, 2 coats, a can that covers 35: buy 4 cans."
url: "https://locotap.com/learn/paint-amount"
---

# How much paint do I need?

The wall, times the coats, plus a tenth spare.

**For**

Buy the right number of cans once, with a little spare for touch-ups.

**When**

Before you quote, and before you shop

## Try it

60 of wall, 2 coats, a can that covers 35: buy 4 cans.

Cans = wall × coats × 1.1 ÷ what one can covers, rounded up.

Measure every wall, count every coat, add a tenth.

## Worked out

| Wall | 1 coat | 2 coats | 3 coats |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 20 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 40 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 60 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 100 | 4 | 7 | 10 |

## Easy to get wrong

- Forgetting the second coat.
- Trusting the can’s best-case cover.
- Buying exact, then running out mid-wall.
- Paint from two batches on one wall.

## The tool for it

**Paint calculator** How much paint a job needs [Start free](https://locotap.com/sign-in?back=%2Fapp%2Flearn%2Fpaint-amount)

## Questions

**Do I take off doors and windows?**

Take off the big ones. Leave the small ones in; they become your spare.

**Where do I find what a can covers?**

On the can or the maker’s sheet. Use the low end on rough walls.

**Does a new wall need more?**

Yes. Bare or patched walls soak it up, so prime them first.

**Metres or feet?**

Either. Use one unit for the wall and the can, and the sum works.

**Why a tenth spare?**

For waste, the roller tray and touch-ups after the job.

**Does a dark colour need more coats?**

Often a third coat, or a tinted primer under it.

**Do I charge for the spare?**

Yes, it’s part of the job. Leave what’s left with them, labelled.

**How do I measure a wall fast?**

Length round the room times its height. A ceiling is length times width.

Next · Before the job: [How do I keep a rebate from being refused?](https://locotap.com/learn/rebates)