Behr Paint Calculator

Calculate the exact amount of paint needed for your painting project

Paint Calculator

Complete Guide to Behr Paint Calculator

Planning a painting project requires accurate calculations to avoid buying too much or too little paint. The Behr Paint Calculator helps you determine exactly how much paint you need for your walls and ceiling, taking into account room dimensions, number of coats, and obstacles like doors and windows.

Understanding Paint Coverage

Behr paint typically covers approximately 350-400 square feet per gallon, depending on the surface texture and paint type. Premium Behr paints with better coverage may reach up to 400 square feet per gallon on smooth, previously painted surfaces, while rough or porous surfaces may require more paint, reducing coverage to around 250-300 square feet per gallon.

How to Calculate Paint Needed

To accurately calculate the amount of Behr paint needed for your project, follow these steps:

• Measure Wall Area: Multiply room length by wall height, then multiply by 4 to get total wall area (assuming rectangular room)
• Calculate Ceiling Area: If painting ceiling, multiply room length by room width
• Subtract Openings: Deduct approximately 20 square feet per door and 15 square feet per standard window
• Account for Coats: Multiply the paintable area by the number of coats you plan to apply
• Divide by Coverage: Divide total area by the paint's coverage rate (typically 400 sq ft/gallon for Behr)

Pro Tip: Always round up to the nearest gallon and consider purchasing an extra gallon for touch-ups and future repairs. Behr paint batches can have slight color variations, so buying all paint from the same batch ensures color consistency.

Behr Paint Product Lines and Coverage

Different Behr paint products have varying coverage rates and are suitable for different applications:

• Behr Premium Plus: Excellent coverage at 400 sq ft/gallon, ideal for interior walls and ceilings
• Behr Premium Plus Ultra: One-coat coverage formula, covers up to 400 sq ft/gallon with superior hiding
• Behr Dynasty: Premium line with stain-blocking properties, 400 sq ft/gallon coverage
• Behr Marquee: Top-tier product with one-coat guarantee on most colors, 400 sq ft/gallon
• Behr Exterior Paint: Weather-resistant formula, coverage varies by surface (300-400 sq ft/gallon)

Factors Affecting Paint Coverage

Several factors can impact how much paint you'll actually need for your project:

• Surface Texture: Rough, textured walls absorb more paint than smooth surfaces
• Surface Porosity: Unpainted drywall or wood requires primer and absorbs more paint
• Color Change: Dramatic color changes (dark to light or vice versa) may require additional coats
• Paint Sheen: Flat paints typically provide better coverage than glossy finishes
• Application Method: Spraying may require 20-30% more paint than rolling

Calculating for Multiple Rooms

When painting multiple rooms, calculate each room separately to account for different dimensions and features. Sum the total gallons needed and consider purchasing in 5-gallon buckets if painting large areas, as they're typically more cost-effective than individual gallons.

Primer Considerations

If your project requires primer, you'll need to calculate separately. Behr recommends primer in these situations:

• Painting over unpainted surfaces (new drywall, bare wood)
• Covering dark colors with lighter shades
• Painting over stains or water damage
• Switching from oil-based to water-based paint
• Painting glossy surfaces (cabinets, trim)

Primer typically has similar coverage to paint (350-400 sq ft/gallon), but one coat of primer is usually sufficient before applying your finish coats.

Cost Estimation Tips

Behr paint prices vary by product line and location. As of 2024, typical pricing ranges are:

• Behr Premium Plus: $25-35 per gallon
• Behr Premium Plus Ultra: $35-45 per gallon
• Behr Dynasty: $45-55 per gallon
• Behr Marquee: $50-60 per gallon

Money-Saving Tip: Watch for seasonal sales at Home Depot and other Behr retailers. You can often save 20-40% during Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day sales.

Sample Calculation Example

Let's calculate paint needed for a 12ft x 10ft room with 8ft ceilings, painting walls only with 2 coats:

• Wall Area: 2(12 x 8) + 2(10 x 8) = 192 + 160 = 352 sq ft
• Subtract 1 door (20 sq ft) and 2 windows (30 sq ft): 352 – 50 = 302 sq ft
• Two coats: 302 x 2 = 604 sq ft total
• Gallons needed: 604 ÷ 400 = 1.51 gallons
• Purchase: 2 gallons (always round up)
• Cost at $35.99/gallon: 2 x $35.99 = $71.98

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common paint calculation errors:

• Forgetting to account for multiple coats
• Not subtracting doors and windows from wall area
• Underestimating paint needed for textured surfaces
• Failing to purchase extra for touch-ups
• Mixing different paint batches, which can cause color variations
• Not considering primer requirements

Professional Recommendations

Professional painters recommend adding 10-15% to your calculated paint quantity to account for waste, spills, and touch-ups. For rooms with vaulted ceilings, complex architectural details, or numerous corners and edges, consider adding 20% to ensure adequate coverage.

Using this Behr Paint Calculator ensures you purchase the right amount of paint for your project, saving time, money, and frustration. Whether you're refreshing a single room or painting your entire home, accurate calculations are the first step to a successful painting project.