Paint Estimate
Total Material Cost
$245.00
3 gal Regal Select + 2 gal primer
Cost Comparison Across BM Lines
Based on your 366 sq ft, 2 coats
| Line | Gal | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ben Interior | 3 | $191.00 |
| Regal Select | 3 | $245.00 |
| Natura Zero-VOC | 3 | $260.00 |
| Aura | 3 | $305.00 |
| Advance | 3 | $245.00 |
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Benjamin Moore Paint Guide
Product line pricing, coverage rates, finish selection, and when to use primer with Benjamin Moore paints.
How Much Does Benjamin Moore Paint Cost Per Gallon?
Benjamin Moore paint ranges from $40 to $90 per gallon depending on the product line and finish.
- ben Interior: $40-$50/gal - entry-level BM line, solid coverage
- Regal Select: $55-$70/gal - most popular line, excellent hide and durability
- Natura: $60-$75/gal - zero-VOC, ideal for bedrooms and nurseries
- Aura: $75-$90/gal - premium line, best color depth and washability
- Advance: $55-$70/gal - waterborne alkyd for trim, cabinets, and doors
Prices vary by retailer and finish type. Flat finishes run slightly less than semi-gloss or high-gloss in the same line.
Key Takeaways
- ben Interior: $40-$50/gal (entry-level BM)
- Regal Select: $55-$70/gal (best all-around value)
- Aura: $75-$90/gal (premium color depth and washability)
How Many Gallons of Benjamin Moore Paint Do I Need?
One gallon of Benjamin Moore paint covers about 400 sq ft on smooth, primed surfaces. That drops to 300-350 sq ft on rough or textured walls.
Here is a quick reference for common room sizes with 2 coats:
- 10x10 room (8 ft ceiling): ~2 gallons
- 12x12 room: ~2-3 gallons
- 14x14 room: ~3 gallons
- 16x20 room: ~4-5 gallons
Always subtract doors (~20 sq ft each) and windows (~15 sq ft each) from your wall area. Add 10% for waste, cutting in, and touch-ups.
Key Takeaways
- BM coverage rate: ~400 sq ft per gallon on primed walls
- Textured surfaces: drop to 300-350 sq ft per gallon
- Always add 10% for waste and touch-ups
Benjamin Moore vs. Sherwin-Williams: Price and Coverage
Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams are priced similarly at the premium tier, but the product lines map differently.
- BM ben ($40-50) vs. SW SuperPaint ($45-55): Entry-level. Both cover well. SW SuperPaint edges out on price in some markets.
- BM Regal Select ($55-70) vs. SW Duration ($60-75): Mid-range workhorses. Regal Select is the go-to for most painters. Duration has slightly better washability.
- BM Aura ($75-90) vs. SW Emerald ($70-85): Premium lines. Aura has better color accuracy on deep tones. Emerald has lower VOC.
Coverage rates are roughly the same across both brands: 350-400 sq ft per gallon. The real difference shows up in color matching - Benjamin Moore's proprietary Gennex colorant system produces richer, more accurate colors, especially in deep or saturated shades.
Key Takeaways
- Both brands price similarly at each tier
- BM Aura excels at deep/saturated color accuracy
- Coverage rates roughly equal: 350-400 sq ft/gal
Which Benjamin Moore Paint Line Should I Use?
Regal Select is the right choice for most interior paint jobs. It balances cost, coverage, and durability better than any other BM line.
Here is when to pick each line:
- ben: Rental units, guest rooms, closets, or any space where budget matters more than washability
- Regal Select: Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, dining rooms - the default pick for most rooms
- Natura: Nurseries, kids' rooms, bedrooms where you want zero-VOC and low odor
- Aura: Kitchens, bathrooms, high-traffic hallways, accent walls with bold or dark colors
- Advance: Interior trim, cabinets, built-ins, doors - anything that needs a smooth, durable factory-like finish
Contractors often use Regal Select for walls and Advance for trim on the same project. That combination covers 90% of residential interiors.
Key Takeaways
- Regal Select: the default for most rooms
- Aura: best for bold colors, kitchens, bathrooms
- Advance: the go-to for trim, cabinets, doors
Do I Need Primer with Benjamin Moore Paint?
Aura and Regal Select are self-priming on previously painted surfaces. Skip the primer if you are recoating walls that are already in good shape and you are not making a major color change.
You still need primer when:
- New drywall: Always prime. Paint alone soaks into unprimed drywall unevenly.
- Stains or odors: Use a stain-blocking primer (BM Fresh Start is BM's primer line).
- Dark-to-light color changes: A gray or tinted primer saves you a coat of expensive paint.
- Bare wood trim: Prime first, especially with Advance, to prevent tannin bleed.
Benjamin Moore Fresh Start primer runs $28-$38/gallon and covers about 350 sq ft. On new construction, primer is not optional regardless of what paint you use on top.
Key Takeaways
- Aura and Regal Select are self-priming on painted surfaces
- Always prime new drywall, bare wood, and stained areas
- BM Fresh Start primer: $28-$38/gal, 350 sq ft coverage
Benjamin Moore Paint Finishes Explained
The finish (sheen) you choose affects both looks and durability. Higher sheens clean easier but show more imperfections.
- Flat/Matte: Hides wall imperfections. Best for ceilings and low-traffic rooms. Hardest to clean.
- Eggshell: Slight sheen, easy to touch up. The most popular choice for living rooms and bedrooms.
- Satin: Soft luster. Good for kids' rooms, hallways, and kitchens. Wipes clean easily.
- Semi-Gloss: Reflective and very durable. Standard for bathrooms, trim, and doors.
- High-Gloss: Maximum sheen and durability. Used on trim, cabinets, and front doors where you want a polished look.
A common setup: flat on ceilings, eggshell on walls, semi-gloss on trim and doors. That gives you the right balance of aesthetics and cleanability in every area.
Key Takeaways
- Eggshell: most popular wall finish, easy touch-ups
- Semi-gloss: standard for bathrooms, trim, doors
- Higher sheen = more durable but shows wall imperfections
How to Use This Calculator
Select your Benjamin Moore paint line
Choose from ben, Regal Select, Natura, Aura, or Advance. Each line has different pricing and coverage characteristics for specific applications.
Enter your room dimensions
Measure the room length, width, and ceiling height in feet. The calculator subtracts doors (20 sq ft each) and windows (15 sq ft each) automatically.
Set coats and options
Most jobs need 2 coats. Toggle ceiling painting and primer on or off. The calculator adds 10% waste factor for cutting in and touch-ups.
Compare costs across BM lines
Review your total material cost and see how it compares across all five Benjamin Moore lines. The comparison table updates instantly as you change room dimensions.
Benjamin Moore Paint Calculation Formulas
Wall Area = 2 x (Length + Width) x Height - Doors - Windows
Paintable Area = Wall Area + Ceiling (optional)
Area with Waste = Paintable Area x 1.10
Gallons = ceil(Area with Waste x Coats / Coverage per Gallon)
Paint Cost = Gallons x Price per Gallon
Total = Paint Cost + Primer Cost (optional)Where:
- Coverage
- = ~400 sq ft/gal for all BM interior lines on smooth, primed surfaces
- Waste Factor
- = 10% added for cutting in, overlaps, and touch-ups
- Door Deduction
- = 20 sq ft per standard interior door
- Window Deduction
- = 15 sq ft per standard window
Benjamin Moore Paint Pricing by Line (2026)
Last updated: March 2026. Retail pricing varies by dealer and finish type.
| Paint Line | Price/Gallon | Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ben Interior | $40-$50 | ~400 sq ft | Rentals, closets, guest rooms |
| Regal Select | $55-$70 | ~400 sq ft | Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways |
| Natura | $60-$75 | ~400 sq ft | Nurseries, bedrooms, zero-VOC |
| Aura | $75-$90 | ~400 sq ft | Kitchens, baths, accent walls |
| Advance | $55-$70 | ~400 sq ft | Trim, cabinets, doors |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Benjamin Moore paint cost per gallon in 2026?
Benjamin Moore paint costs $40-$90 per gallon depending on the line. ben Interior runs $40-$50, Regal Select $55-$70, Natura $60-$75, Aura $75-$90, and Advance $55-$70. Prices vary slightly by finish - flat costs less than semi-gloss in the same product line.
How many square feet does a gallon of Benjamin Moore paint cover?
One gallon covers approximately 400 sq ft on smooth, primed surfaces. Rough or textured walls reduce coverage to 300-350 sq ft per gallon. Deep colors over light backgrounds may need an extra coat, which reduces effective coverage per gallon.
Is Benjamin Moore Regal Select worth the price over ben?
Yes, for most rooms. Regal Select costs about $15-$20 more per gallon than ben but offers better hide, smoother leveling, and superior washability. On a typical 12x14 room needing 3 gallons, you spend roughly $45-$60 extra for a finish that lasts years longer. ben is fine for closets, rentals, or low-traffic spaces where durability is not the priority.
Do I need primer with Benjamin Moore Aura?
Not on previously painted surfaces in good condition. Aura is self-priming on painted walls. You still need primer on bare drywall, bare wood, stained surfaces, or when going from a very dark color to a light one. Benjamin Moore Fresh Start primer runs $28-$38/gallon and covers about 350 sq ft.
How much does it cost to paint a 12x12 room with Benjamin Moore?
A 12x12 room with 8-foot ceilings has about 340 sq ft of paintable wall area after doors and windows. With 2 coats of Regal Select, you need about 2 gallons ($110-$140). Add primer and you are looking at $140-$180 in materials. Professional labor adds $350-$700 on top of that.
What is the best Benjamin Moore paint for kitchens and bathrooms?
Aura Bath & Spa or Regal Select in satin or semi-gloss finish. Kitchens and bathrooms need a paint that resists moisture, grease, and frequent cleaning. Aura has the best washability rating in the BM lineup. Satin or semi-gloss finishes shed water and wipe clean without leaving marks. Avoid flat or matte finishes in wet areas.
Benjamin Moore vs Sherwin-Williams - which is better?
Both are premium brands with comparable quality. Benjamin Moore Aura and Sherwin-Williams Emerald are neck-and-neck on coverage and durability. BM edges ahead on color accuracy in deep/saturated tones thanks to its Gennex colorant system. SW has wider retail availability. Most painters have a preference based on years of experience with one brand. Either is a solid choice.
Which Benjamin Moore paint line is best for trim and cabinets?
Advance is specifically made for trim, cabinets, and doors. It is a waterborne alkyd that levels like oil-based paint but cleans up with water. It dries to a smooth, hard finish without brush marks. Use semi-gloss or high-gloss for the most durable result. Allow 16 hours between coats - Advance cures slower than standard latex but the final finish is worth the wait.
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