How Much Paint for a 10×10 Room?
Quick Answer
A 10×10 room with 8-foot ceilings has about 284 square feet of paintable wall (after subtracting a door and window). Two coats need roughly 2 gallons of paint. Add about 1 gallon if you are also painting the ceiling.
- Wall area: ~284 sq ft (after door and window)
- Two coats of walls: ~2 gallons
- Ceiling (100 sq ft): 1 quart to 1 gallon
- 1 gallon covers about 350 sq ft per coat
Formula
Find wall area by multiplying room perimeter by ceiling height, then subtract openings. Multiply by the number of coats and divide by 350 square feet of coverage per gallon.
Step-by-Step Calculation
- 1
Wall area (gross)
(10+10+10+10) × 8 = 320 sq ft
- 2
Subtract openings
320 − 21 (door) − 15 (window) = 284 sq ft
- 3
Two coats
284 × 2 = 568 sq ft to cover
- 4
Gallons needed
568 ÷ 350 = 1.6 → 2 gallons
Paint by Room Size (8-ft ceilings, 2 coats)
| Room Size | Wall Area | Coverage Needed | Gallons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 | 284 sq ft | 568 sq ft | 2 gallons |
| 10×12 | 316 sq ft | 632 sq ft | 2 gallons |
| 12×12 | 348 sq ft | 696 sq ft | 2 gallons |
| 12×16 | 412 sq ft | 824 sq ft | 3 gallons |
Assumes one door and one window per room. Deep or bold colors over a light wall may need a primer coat plus two finish coats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1 gallon of paint enough for a 10×10 room?
For a single coat, yes — 1 gallon covers about 350 sq ft and a 10×10 room has about 284 sq ft of wall. But most jobs need two coats for even color, so buy 2 gallons.
How much paint for the ceiling of a 10×10 room?
A 10×10 ceiling is 100 square feet. One quart covers a single coat, but a full gallon is smarter if you want two coats or plan to paint other ceilings.
How many coats of paint do walls need?
Two coats is standard for a durable, even finish. You may get away with one coat when repainting the same color, but color changes and fresh drywall always need two coats plus primer.