How many gallons of paint do I need for a 12x12 room with 8ft ceilings?

# Paint Needed for a 12x12 Room

For a room that size, you'll typically need 1-2 gallons of paint.

Here's the quick math: A gallon of paint covers roughly 350-400 sq ft per coat. Your room's walls total about 384 sq ft (perimeter of 48 ft × 8 ft height). That's roughly one gallon for one coat, but most rooms need 2 coats for even coverage, so budget 1.5-2 gallons to be safe.

Pro tips: - Primer: If you're covering dark colors or stains, add another gallon of primer - Paint quality matters: Better paint covers better and may only need one coat - Ceiling: Don't forget the ceiling! That's another ~144 sq ft

When you get quotes from local painters, they'll calculate exact needs based on your specific walls and color choice. Most painters prefer you have a little extra paint left over for touch-ups down the road.