How much does a gallon of paint cover?

Per coat · smooth to rough surfaces · updated for 2026

Short answer: about 350–400 sq ft per coat on smooth, already-painted walls. Most rooms need two coats, so one gallon covers roughly 175–200 sq ft of wall when finished.

Coverage by surface (1 gallon, 1 coat)

Surface	Coverage
Smooth walls, already painted	350–400 sq ft
New drywall (after primer)	300–350 sq ft
Textured walls or popcorn ceiling	250–300 sq ft
Brick, block, or stucco	150–250 sq ft
Primer on new drywall	200–300 sq ft

Coverage by container size

Container	Covers per coat	Good for
Sample pot (8 oz)	about 15–25 sq ft	test patches only
Quart	about 85–100 sq ft	small bathroom walls, touch-ups
Gallon	about 350–400 sq ft	one small room, one coat
5-gallon bucket	about 1,750–2,000 sq ft	whole floors or large rooms

What lowers coverage

Texture, patches, and porous surfaces soak up more paint.
Big color changes, especially light over dark, often need primer or a third coat.
Thick rollers (3/4 inch nap) hold and use more paint than 3/8 inch.
Spills, drips, and paint left in the tray.

That's why our calculator adds a 10% safety margin by default. Always check the coverage printed on your can, since it varies by brand and product.

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