Enter the total cost of paint used and the total square footage of the room into the calculator to determine the paint cost per square foot.

Paint Cost Per Square Foot Formula

The following equation is used to calculate the Paint Cost Per Square Foot.

PC = TC / TA
  • Where PC is the paint cost per square foot ($/ft^2)
  • TC is the total cost of paint used ($)
  • TA is the total area painted (ft^2)

To calculate the paint cost per square foot, simply divide the total paint cost by the total area that is was painted.

What is the Cost of Paint Per Square Foot?

Definition:

The cost of paint per square foot will vary depending on the quality of the paint and brand. High-quality latex paint may cost $20 to $30 per gallon, while low-quality latex paint may cost $15-$20 per gallon. For example, if you’re painting a 1,000-square-foot space, with an average ceiling height of 10 feet, you’ll need to buy the following:

One gallon of paint for every 400 square feet

One gallon for every door (assuming one side)

One gallon for every 100 square feet of woodwork (baseboards and molding)

Two gallons for the ceiling

If you really want to save money and go the DIY route, plan to spend closer to $25-$50 per gallon for quality paint. Of course, that doesn’t include primer or supplies like tape, brushes, and rollers.

You can find a gallon of quality interior paint for as little as $20 at home improvement stores. You’ll get even better deals at online retailers like Amazon, where a gallon of Behr Premium Plus ultra is only $12.

The cost of your paint project will also depend on how much time it takes to complete the job. Using high-quality paint may reduce your time spent painting because it dries faster than cheap paint and covers more surface area with each coat. Paint with primer included also reduces your prep time because there’s no need for multiple coats or sanding between them.