How Much Paint for a 12×16 Room?
Quick Answer
A 12×16 room with 8-foot ceilings has about 412 square feet of paintable wall after subtracting a door and window. Two coats need about 3 gallons of paint. Add about 1 gallon if you are also painting the 192 square foot ceiling.
- Wall area: ~412 sq ft (after door and window)
- Two coats of walls: ~3 gallons
- Ceiling (192 sq ft): about 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)
(12+16+12+16) × 8 = 448 sq ft
- 2
Subtract openings
448 − 21 (door) − 15 (window) = 412 sq ft
- 3
Two coats
412 × 2 = 824 sq ft to cover
- 4
Gallons needed
824 ÷ 350 = 2.35 → 3 gallons
Paint by Room Size (8-ft ceilings, 2 coats)
| Room Size | Wall Area | Coverage Needed | Gallons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12×12 | 348 sq ft | 696 sq ft | 2 gallons |
| 12×16 | 412 sq ft | 824 sq ft | 3 gallons |
| 14×16 | 444 sq ft | 888 sq ft | 3 gallons |
| 16×20 | 540 sq ft | 1,080 sq ft | 4 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
How many gallons of paint for a 12×16 room?
About 3 gallons for two coats on the walls, plus roughly 1 gallon for the ceiling. Buying the third gallon avoids running short mid-wall, and leftover paint is handy for touch-ups.
Do I need primer for a 12×16 room?
Prime new drywall, patched areas, or when making a big color change. A separate primer coat adds about 1 to 1.5 gallons; paint-and-primer products can reduce that on already painted walls in good condition.
How much does it cost to paint a 12×16 room?
Paint runs about $90–$180 for 3 to 4 gallons of quality product. A professional interior paint job for a room this size typically costs $400–$800 including labor, prep, and materials.