Paint & interior · updated 2026
Exterior House Paint Calculator
Exterior paint estimating starts with wall area, then accounts for stories, openings, siding texture, coats, primer, and labor. This exterior house paint calculator shows paintable square feet, gallons, primer, material cost, labor cost, and the resulting price per square foot. Coverage, labor, and price defaults are planning assumptions marked TBD — verify them against your product and local quote.
Use the main paint calculator for interior, exterior, and ceiling projects.
TBD — verify your exterior paint price
Show the math
Gross wall area = 140.0 × 9 × 1 = 1260.0 sq ft
Paintable area = 1260.0 − 240.0 openings = 1020.0 sq ft
Gallons = 1020.0 ÷ 350.0 × 2 = 6 gallons
Total = paint + primer + labor = 0; price per sq ft = 0
How to measure exterior walls
Start with the perimeter at the wall line, not the roof peak. Multiply by wall height and stories, then deduct windows and doors. For an irregular house, break the exterior into rectangles and add the wall areas instead of forcing one average measurement.
The calculator allows either a manual openings count or an auto percentage. Manual measurements are preferable when the house has many large windows, garage doors, porches, or unpainted masonry.
Siding coverage and coats
Wood, vinyl, brick, and stucco present different surfaces. Rough or porous surfaces can require more coating than smooth siding, which is why the selector uses separate planning presets. Coverage values are TBD — verify on the product label.
The gallon output is the whole-gallon purchase quantity. The underlying area, coverage, and coats remain visible in the math so you can replace the planning assumption with a local or manufacturer value.
DIY versus professional labor
DIY material cost and professional labor are separate inputs. A quote can also include pressure washing, scraping, repairs, caulking, lifts, masking, and access work; those items are not automatically inferred from wall area.
Use the per-square-foot number to compare scopes that include the same prep and access. A lower rate with major exclusions is not the same estimate.
Primer
Bare wood, bare masonry, repaired substrate, and dramatic color changes can require primer. Select the primer option only for the surfaces that need it and verify coverage and compatibility with the primer label.
The calculator treats primer gallons as a separate whole-gallon purchase. It does not certify a coating system or replace the manufacturer’s preparation instructions.
Methodology and assumptions
The calculator multiplies perimeter by wall height and stories, subtracts the selected openings deduction, divides by the siding coverage rate, multiplies by coats, and adds optional primer and labor. Price, labor, deduction, and coverage assumptions are planning inputs marked TBD — verify.
What the numbers mean
The calculator converts your measurements into a practical purchase quantity using a documented coverage or spacing assumption.
Any whole-unit quantity is rounded up so the result does not leave you short during the project.
Use the cost range as a planning baseline and confirm the final quantity, availability, and delivery charge with your local supplier.
2026 material prices
Material, labor, coverage, and density defaults are TBD — verify with your local supplier or manufacturer before ordering. 2026 U.S. national averages. Prices vary by region and retailer — confirm locally before buying.
Pro tips
- Measure the perimeter and wall height separately for each story if they differ; do not use roof peak height as wall height.
- Rough siding and masonry can use more paint than smooth surfaces. Treat every coverage preset as TBD until the label or manufacturer confirms it.
- Prime bare wood, bare masonry, and repaired areas according to the coating system rather than assuming finish paint will do both jobs.
- Two coats may be needed for coverage and color depth, but follow the product label and surface condition.
- Separate material, prep, access, and labor when comparing a professional quote.
- Use the price-per-square-foot line as a comparison, not as a universal national rate.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I estimate exterior house painting?
Measure wall area, subtract windows and doors, divide by the coverage rate per gallon, and multiply by coats. Then add primer and labor if they apply. This calculator shows each step.
What is the exterior paint price per square foot?
The installed range is TBD — verify locally because siding, prep, stories, access, labor, and region move the number. Enter your local inputs to see the calculator’s per-square-foot result.
How many gallons of paint for a 2,000 sq ft house?
A square-foot house-size number is not the same as exterior wall area. Measure the walls, subtract openings, and use the siding coverage; a typical siding-only example may be about 5–6 gallons per coat, but verify the actual surface.
Do I need primer for exterior repaint?
Primer is commonly needed on bare wood, bare masonry, repaired areas, or major color changes. Sound existing paint may not need full priming; follow the coating system and product label.
How many coats of exterior paint?
Two coats may be appropriate for durability or a major color change, while some repaint conditions may call for one. Follow the manufacturer’s application and recoat instructions.
Does siding type change how much paint I need?
Yes. Rough wood and stucco can require more coating than smooth vinyl. The selector applies a planning coverage preset, and each preset remains TBD — verify with the product label.
Related calculators
Planning estimates only. Prices are 2026 U.S. national averages and vary by region — confirm with your local supplier before buying.