How much paint do I need for a 11×12 room?
Short answer: a 11×12 room with 8-foot ceilings needs about 1.8 gallons of paint for two coats. With a 10% safety margin, buy 2 × 1-gallon can.
A 11×12 room is usually a standard bedroom. The estimate below assumes 1 door and 2 windows, which is typical for that size; adjust them in the calculator if yours differ.
How we got that number
- Wall area: 2 × (11 + 12) × 8 ft = 368 sq ft
- Minus 1 door (20 sq ft each) and 2 windows (15 sq ft each) = 318 sq ft to paint
- Two coats at 350 sq ft per gallon = 1.82 gallons
- Plus a 10% safety margin for textured walls, patches, and touch-ups = 2.00 gallons
Can labels assume smooth, primed walls. Textured or rough walls use more paint, which is why we add 10%. Very rough surfaces like brick can need even more.
With taller ceilings
| Ceiling height | Wall area | Paint needed | Buy (incl. 10% margin) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft | 318 sq ft | 1.8 gal | 2 × 1-gallon can |
| 9 ft | 364 sq ft | 2.1 gal | 2 × 1-gallon can + 2 × quart |
| 10 ft | 410 sq ft | 2.3 gal | 3 × 1-gallon can |
Painting the ceiling too?
The 11×12 ceiling is 132 sq ft. Two coats need about 0.8 gallons of flat ceiling paint, so buy 1 × 1-gallon can (with the 10% margin).
What the wall paint will cost (8 ft ceilings)
| Paint grade | Price | Paint cost |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $30/gal | $60 |
| Mid-range | $45/gal | $90 |
| Premium | $70/gal | $140 |
Before sales tax and supplies. Prices are typical US store prices and vary by brand and area.
Customize this room in the calculator →
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