Question 1

How much paint do I need for a 12x12 room?

Accepted Answer

A 12×12 room with 8-ft walls has about 384 sq ft of wall. One gallon covers ~350 sq ft, so you need ~2 gallons for two coats (about 1.1 gallons per coat plus waste).

Question 2

How many square feet does a gallon of paint cover?

Accepted Answer

Most interior latex paint covers 350–400 sq ft per gallon per coat. Rough surfaces (stucco, brick) and dark color changes can cut coverage to 200–300 sq ft.

Question 3

Do I need primer as well as paint?

Accepted Answer

Use primer for new drywall, stains, or drastic color changes — one gallon covers ~300 sq ft. For repainting the same color, paint alone is fine.

Question 4

How much paint for one coat vs two coats?

Accepted Answer

Multiply the single-coat amount by the number of coats. Two coats are standard for even finish; deep or bright colors often need three.

Question 5

Does ceiling paint coverage differ?

Accepted Answer

Ceiling paint covers about the same (350–400 sq ft per gallon) but ceilings often need a second coat over fresh drywall. Flat white hides imperfections best.

Room	Wall Area	2 Coats (walls)
8×10 ft	288 sq ft	2 gal
10×12 ft	384 sq ft	3 gal
12×12 ft	384 sq ft	3 gal
12×15 ft	432 sq ft	3 gal
20×20 ft	640 sq ft	4 gal

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