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Exterior paint coverage calculator
Calculate paint gallons and total project cost for an exterior repaint, accounting for coats, surface texture, and primer.
Total exterior paint job
Show the work
- Paint gallons needed13.7
- Primer gallons needed2.1
- Paint + primer cost$963
- Labor cost$4,200
- All-in $ per sqft$2
Exterior paint math — gallons first, then labor
The single biggest mistake on paint estimates is buying gallons by guess. Coverage rate × coats × wall area gives you a hard number. Buy 10% extra for touch-ups, but that's it.
Coverage by surface
- Smooth lap siding / Hardie: 350-400 sqft/gal — paint flows, minimal texture loss
- Stucco: 200-250 sqft/gal — texture eats paint
- Rough cedar / shake: 175-225 sqft/gal — same problem, plus end grain
- Brick (unsealed): 150-200 sqft/gal first coat, much better second
Why two coats is usually right
One coat works only when (a) you're going same-color over a clean surface, (b) the existing paint is sound, and (c) you used premium 100% acrylic at full mil thickness. In real life, two coats hits the manufacturer's warrantied dry-film thickness and gives you the color depth you actually paid for.
Primer is not optional
Bare wood, chalking surfaces, color changes (especially dark→light), or any spots where you scraped down to bare substrate need primer. The shortcut: estimate 20-30% of surface for a repaint, 100% for new construction or a full color change.
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