Paint Cost Per Square Foot Calculator
Calculate the cost of paint per square foot based on the total amount spent on paint and the total area covered.
Enter Paint Cost and Area
Understanding Paint Cost Per Square Foot
The cost per square foot for paint is a useful metric for budgeting and comparing different paint products. It tells you how much you are spending on paint material for each square foot you cover.
The basic formula is simple: Cost Per Square Foot = Total Cost of Paint / Total Area Covered.
Factors influencing this value include the price of the paint per gallon, the coverage area per gallon (which varies by paint type, color, and surface), and whether you use more than one coat.
Paint Cost Examples
See how different costs and areas affect the result:
Example 1: Painting a Small Room
Scenario: You spent $100 on paint to cover 250 square feet.
Calculation: Cost Per Sq Ft = $100 / 250 sq ft
Result: $0.40 per square foot.
Example 2: Painting a Larger Area
Scenario: The paint for a large living area cost $350 and covered 800 square feet.
Calculation: Cost Per Sq Ft = $350 / 800 sq ft
Result: $0.44 per square foot (rounded).
Example 3: High-End Paint
Scenario: You used premium paint costing $80 per gallon. One gallon covered 400 square feet with two coats.
Calculation: Total Cost = $80, Total Area = 400 sq ft. Cost Per Sq Ft = $80 / 400 sq ft
Result: $0.20 per square foot.
Example 4: Budget-Friendly Paint
Scenario: You used budget paint costing $30 per gallon. One gallon covered 300 square feet with two coats.
Calculation: Total Cost = $30, Total Area = 300 sq ft. Cost Per Sq Ft = $30 / 300 sq ft
Result: $0.10 per square foot.
Example 5: Multiple Gallons
Scenario: You bought 3 gallons of paint at $45 each for a project covering 950 square feet.
Calculation: Total Cost = 3 * $45 = $135. Total Area = 950 sq ft. Cost Per Sq Ft = $135 / 950 sq ft
Result: $0.14 per square foot (rounded).
Example 6: Leftover Paint
Scenario: You bought 2 gallons ($50 each, Total $100) but only used paint for 550 square feet, having some leftover.
Calculation: Total Cost = $100, Total Area = 550 sq ft. Cost Per Sq Ft = $100 / 550 sq ft
Result: $0.18 per square foot (rounded). (Note: This calculates based on *total spent* vs. *area covered*, which can differ if you buy excess paint).
Example 7: Small Accent Project
Scenario: A small decorative project cost $25 for paint and covered 60 square feet.
Calculation: Cost Per Sq Ft = $25 / 60 sq ft
Result: $0.42 per square foot (rounded).
Example 8: Specific Wall Section
Scenario: To repaint one wall, you used $40 worth of paint to cover 120 square feet.
Calculation: Cost Per Sq Ft = $40 / 120 sq ft
Result: $0.33 per square foot (rounded).
Example 9: Using Partial Cans
Scenario: You used portions of two old cans, estimating their combined value at $70, and covered 300 square feet.
Calculation: Total Cost = $70, Total Area = 300 sq ft. Cost Per Sq Ft = $70 / 300 sq ft
Result: $0.23 per square foot (rounded).
Example 10: Comparing Two Paints
Scenario: Paint A cost $50 and covered 350 sq ft. Paint B cost $60 and covered 450 sq ft. Calculate cost/sq ft for each.
Calculation A: $50 / 350 sq ft ≈ $0.14/sq ft
Calculation B: $60 / 450 sq ft ≈ $0.13/sq ft
Result: Paint B is slightly cheaper per square foot in this scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions about Paint Cost
1. What does "Paint Cost Per Square Foot" tell me?
It tells you the material cost of painting a single square foot of surface area. It helps you compare the value of different paints or estimate costs for future projects based on their size.
2. How do I find the "Total Cost of Paint"?
This is the total amount of money you spent specifically on the paint cans or gallons used for the area you measured. Do not include brushes, rollers, tape, primer, or labor unless you want to calculate a different metric.
3. How do I find the "Total Area Covered"?
Measure the length and height of each surface (walls, ceiling) you painted in feet and multiply to get the area in square feet. Sum the areas of all surfaces. Subtract areas for windows and doors if you want precise wall area. Ensure you are using consistent units (e.g., all feet).
4. What units should I use for input?
Use currency for the cost input (e.g., dollars, euros) and consistent square units for the area input (e.g., square feet, square meters). The resulting cost per square foot will be in your chosen currency per square unit.
5. Does this calculator include labor costs or supplies?
No, this basic calculator is specifically for the material cost of the paint itself. It assumes the "Total Cost of Paint" input is *only* the cost of the paint cans/gallons used, and "Total Area Covered" is the actual surface area painted with that material.
6. Does this calculator account for multiple coats of paint?
Indirectly, yes. When you enter the "Total Area Covered", you should enter the *final* area covered by all coats you applied using the "Total Cost of Paint" you entered. If one gallon covers 350 sq ft with one coat, but you applied two coats, that gallon covered 175 sq ft of wall surface (350 sq ft of painted surface area). Enter the final area you actually painted.
7. Why am I getting an error or "N/A"?
Check that you have entered positive numbers in both input fields. Total Area Covered must be greater than zero, as you cannot divide by zero. Ensure no text or special characters are in the input boxes.
8. Can I use this for materials other than liquid paint?
Yes, the basic formula (Cost / Area) can be applied to calculate cost per square foot for other materials sold by volume/coverage, like wallpaper, flooring adhesives, or even estimating tile cost per square foot (though tile is usually calculated by piece or box).
9. Is a lower cost per square foot always better?
Not necessarily. A lower cost per square foot might indicate a budget paint, which could have lower coverage, durability, or finish quality compared to a more expensive paint with a higher cost per square foot.
10. Where does the number for "Total Area Covered" come from?
You need to measure the walls, ceiling, or surfaces you painted. For rectangular walls, measure the width and height and multiply them (Width x Height = Area). Sum the areas of all surfaces painted. This is the value you should enter.
