Painting
How to measure a room for painting.
A practical guide to walls, ceilings and the small details that change your estimate.
ProjectNest / The journalPaintingExplore the articles ↓
A fresh coat. A thoughtful start.
From surface measurements to the last supply on your list, make room for a better paint project.
Start here / Painting
How to measure a room for painting.
A practical guide to walls, ceilings and the small details that change your estimate.
Read the guide ↗The Painting journal
All journal articles ↗More to explore.
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The planning desk
Put the idea into a plan.
Work through your measurements and organize the next steps before buying materials.
Before you beginQuestions about
Questions about
Painting.
Planning answers for your painting project.
01How do I estimate paint?
Measure the surfaces, subtract unpainted openings and use the selected product’s coverage and planned coats. Our paint calculator keeps those inputs visible.
02Should I calculate primer separately?
Yes. Primer and finish paint can have different coverage and application requirements. Keep each estimate separate.
03Can I include the ceiling?
Yes, if it uses the same paint coverage and coat count. Otherwise make a separate ceiling estimate.
04How do I compare imperial and metric coverage?
Keep the estimate in one unit system. Use square feet per US gallon in imperial mode or square meters per liter in metric mode, matching the product label.
05What should I keep for future touch-ups?
Record the brand, product, color reference, finish and room. Follow the product’s instructions for storing any leftover paint.