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How Much Does 5 Gallons of Paint Cover
Calculate how much paint you need for a room. Enter dimensions, number of doors and windows, and coats. Shows litres and gallons. Free, no signup.
How Much Does 5 Gallons of Paint Cover
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About How Much Does 5 Gallons of Paint Cover
Five gallons of paint covers about 1,750 to 2,000 square feet in one coat at the usual 350 to 400 square feet per gallon, or roughly 875 to 1,000 square feet with two coats. That is enough for the walls of two to three average bedrooms in two coats, or a large open living area with a hallway, which is why the 5 gallon bucket is the standard size for repainting several rooms in one colour or for an exterior job. This page opens in US units with five gallons and 350 square feet per gallon set, so change the coverage to match your label and the coats to see the area you can expect. Buying a bucket instead of five single gallons is usually cheaper per gallon, and it also removes the risk of slight colour differences between cans, which show where two walls meet. If you do buy single cans, pour them together into one bucket and mix before you start, which painters call boxing. Exterior siding and rough masonry drink paint, often 250 square feet per gallon or less, so set the coverage lower for outside work. For a single room see How Much Does a Gallon of Paint Cover? (Sq Ft per Coat).
How to use How Much Does 5 Gallons of Paint Cover
Enter room length, width, and wall height in metres or feet
Set the number of doors and windows to subtract their area
Choose number of coats and see litres and gallons needed
Frequently Asked Questions
How many square feet does 5 gallons of paint cover?
About 1,750 to 2,000 square feet in one coat, or 875 to 1,000 square feet with two coats, on a smooth surface at 350 to 400 square feet per gallon.
How many rooms will 5 gallons paint?
Around two to three average bedrooms with two coats on the walls. A 12 by 12 room with 8 foot ceilings needs about two gallons for two coats, so five gallons covers two such rooms with some left for touch-ups.
Is a 5 gallon bucket cheaper than single gallons?
Usually, per gallon. It also guarantees one consistent batch of colour across the whole job, which single cans do not always do.
How much does 5 gallons cover on an exterior?
Less than inside. Rough siding, stucco and bare wood often spread at 250 square feet per gallon or lower, so five gallons may cover around 1,250 square feet in one coat. Enter the figure on your exterior paint can to check.
Should I box my paint?
If you are using more than one can of the same colour, yes. Pour the cans into a 5 gallon bucket and stir before you start, so any small batch difference is spread evenly instead of showing on one wall.