Interior Painting Cost Per Square Foot: 2026 Rates

One of the most common questions contractors get is “how much does it cost to paint per square foot?” The answer depends on whether you’re talking about wall square footage or floor square footage, and that confusion trips up a lot of estimates. Get this wrong and you’re either leaving money on the table or pricing yourself out of the job.

Interior painting runs $1.50 to $5 per square foot of wall area for most residential projects, covering labor, materials, and basic prep. That translates to roughly $3 to $7 per square foot of floor area since rooms have 2.5-3.5 times more wall surface than floor space. Try EstimationPro free to build accurate painting estimates with labor, materials, and markup calculated automatically.

Quick Answer: What Does Interior Painting Cost Per Square Foot?

Interior painting typically costs $1.50-$5.00 per square foot of paintable wall area. This includes two coats of paint, basic prep (cleaning, light sanding, patching small holes), and standard-quality materials. The range depends on paint quality, surface condition, ceiling height, and your local labor market. Budget jobs with economy paint start around $1.50/sqft. Premium jobs with high-end paint and extensive prep run $4-$5/sqft or more.

Wall Square Footage vs. Floor Square Footage

This is the single biggest source of confusion in painting estimates. When a homeowner asks “how much to paint my 1,500 square foot house,” they mean floor area. But painters price by wall area because that is what actually gets painted.

Here is the math behind the conversion:

Room Dimension	Floor Area	Wall Area (8 ft ceilings)	Wall Area (9 ft ceilings)
10 x 10	100 sq ft	320 sq ft	360 sq ft
12 x 12	144 sq ft	384 sq ft	432 sq ft
12 x 14	168 sq ft	416 sq ft	468 sq ft
14 x 16	224 sq ft	480 sq ft	540 sq ft
16 x 20	320 sq ft	576 sq ft	648 sq ft

Key takeaway: A room has roughly 2.5 to 3.5 times more wall surface than floor surface, depending on ceiling height and window/door count. After subtracting doors and windows (typically 50-80 sq ft per room), the paintable wall area is about 2 to 3 times the floor area.

Why This Matters for Your Estimate

If you quote $3/sqft and the client thinks you mean floor area but you mean wall area, you just underbid the job by 60-70%. Always clarify whether your pricing is based on wall area or floor area. Most professional painters price by wall square footage because it directly reflects the work being done.

Cost Breakdown: Labor, Materials, and Prep

Here is what goes into the per-square-foot cost for interior painting:

Cost Component	Per Sq Ft (Wall Area)	Notes
Labor	$1.00-$4.00	Two coats, basic prep included
Paint (2 coats)	$0.15-$0.50	Depends on quality and coverage
Primer (if needed)	$0.05-$0.10	New drywall, color changes, stains
Supplies	$0.05-$0.15	Tape, plastic, rollers, brushes, caulk
Total	$1.25-$4.75	Before overhead and profit

After adding contractor overhead and profit (typically 15-35%), the client-facing rate lands at $1.50-$5.00+ per wall sq ft for most residential interior work.

What Drives Labor Rates Up or Down

Labor is the biggest variable. Here is what moves the number:

• Surface condition. Smooth, previously painted walls in good shape are fast. Walls with peeling paint, water stains, nail pops, or texture damage need prep time that can double the labor rate.
• Ceiling height. Standard 8-foot ceilings let you cut in from a step stool. 10-foot and vaulted ceilings require ladders, scaffolding, and slower production rates. Expect 20-40% more labor for high ceilings.
• Number of colors. Each additional color means more masking, more cutting in, more paint changes. A single-color whole-house job is significantly faster per square foot than a 5-color scheme with accent walls.
• Trim and doors. Cutting in around crown molding, baseboards, and door frames takes time. Homes with ornate trim or a lot of windows slow down production rates considerably.
• Accessibility. Open floor plan with large walls is fast. A house full of tight hallways, stairwells, and small bathrooms takes more time per square foot.

Interior Painting Cost by Quality Level

Not every painting job is the same scope. Here is how quality level affects your total cost:

Quality Level	Paint Grade	Prep Work	Coats	Cost/Sq Ft (Wall)	Cost/Sq Ft (Floor)
Budget	Economy ($20-$35/gal)	Light patch, no prime	2	$1.50-$2.50	$3.00-$5.50
Mid-Range	Standard ($30-$55/gal)	Patch, sand, spot prime	2	$2.00-$3.50	$4.50-$7.00
Premium	Premium ($45-$85/gal)	Full prep, prime, caulk	2-3	$3.50-$5.00+	$7.00-$10.00+

Budget covers rental turnovers, basic refreshes, and cost-conscious homeowners. Economy paint covers well but may not hold up to scrubbing in high-traffic areas.

Mid-range is the bread and butter for most residential repainting. Standard-quality paint from brands like Behr or Valspar, proper surface prep, and consistent results. This is what most homeowners expect.

Premium is for clients who want Benjamin Moore Aura, Sherwin-Williams Emerald, or similar top-tier paint. Includes full prep, caulking, priming, and sometimes a third coat for deep or bold colors. Longer-lasting and more washable.

Worked Example 1: Standard 3-Bedroom House

Scope: Paint all walls in a 1,200 sq ft house (floor area) with 8-foot ceilings. Three bedrooms, living room, kitchen, two bathrooms, hallway. Standard quality, 2 coats, mid-range paint.

Step 1: Calculate wall area

• Total wall perimeter (all rooms combined): approximately 520 linear feet
• Wall area at 8 ft ceilings: 520 x 8 = 4,160 sq ft gross wall area
• Subtract doors (7 x 20 sq ft) and windows (8 x 15 sq ft): 140 + 120 = 260 sq ft
• Net paintable wall area: 3,900 sq ft

Step 2: Calculate paint needed

• Coverage rate: 350 sq ft per gallon per coat
• Two coats: 3,900 x 2 = 7,800 sq ft of coverage needed
• Gallons: 7,800 / 350 = 22.3 gallons
• Add 10% waste: 25 gallons
• At $40/gallon (standard grade): $1,000 in paint

Step 3: Calculate labor

• At $2.00/sq ft wall area: 3,900 x $2.00 = $7,800 labor

Step 4: Supplies and primer

• Spot primer (2 gallons at $25): $50
• Tape, plastic, rollers, caulk: $150

Step 5: Total and markup

• Subtotal: $1,000 + $7,800 + $200 = $9,000
• Add 20% overhead and profit: $9,000 x 1.20 = $10,800
• Per wall sq ft: $10,800 / 3,900 = $2.77/sqft
• Per floor sq ft: $10,800 / 1,200 = $9.00/sqft

This lands right in the mid-range pricing band. The homeowner sees a $10,800 bid for their whole house. You should know what that breaks down to per square foot so you can explain it clearly.

Worked Example 2: Single Room Repaint

Scope: Master bedroom, 14 x 16 feet, 9-foot ceilings. Two-tone paint scheme (walls plus accent wall), premium quality, Benjamin Moore.

Step 1: Wall area

• Perimeter: 2(14 + 16) = 60 linear feet
• Gross wall area: 60 x 9 = 540 sq ft
• Subtract 2 windows (30 sq ft) and 1 door (20 sq ft) = 50 sq ft
• Net paintable wall area: 490 sq ft

Step 2: Paint

• 2 coats, 2 colors: 490 x 2 = 980 sqft coverage
• Gallons: 980 / 350 = 2.8, round up to 3 gallons plus 1 quart for accent
• Benjamin Moore Aura at $65/gallon: 3 x $65 + $22 (quart) = $217

Step 3: Labor

• Premium prep at $3.50/sqft: 490 x $3.50 = $1,715

Step 4: Primer and supplies

• Full primer coat for color change: 490 / 350 = 1.4 gallons. 2 gallons at $25 = $50
• Supplies: $40

Step 5: Total

• Subtotal: $217 + $1,715 + $90 = $2,022
• Add 25% O&P: $2,022 x 1.25 = $2,528
• Per wall sq ft: $2,528 / 490 = $5.16/sqft
• Per floor sq ft: $2,528 / 224 = $11.29/sqft

Premium single-room work costs more per square foot because you still have full setup, masking, and cleanup time spread across a smaller area. This is normal. Don’t undercharge small-scope premium work just because the total seems high relative to the room size.

Additional Cost Adders

These items sit outside the base per-square-foot rate and should be line items in your estimate:

Adder	Typical Cost	When It Applies
Ceiling painting	$1.00-$3.00/sq ft	Always quote separately from walls
Trim/baseboard painting	$1.00-$3.00/linear ft	Per piece or per linear foot
Door painting (per side)	$50-$100 each	Include frame and jamb
Cabinet painting	$75-$150 per door face	Kitchen/bath cabinet projects
Wallpaper removal	$1.50-$4.00/sq ft	Before painting
Lead paint testing/abatement	$300-$1,000+	Pre-1978 homes
Heavy texture repair	$1.50-$3.00/sq ft	Knockdown, orange peel, popcorn removal
Color samples/mock-ups	$50-$100 per color	For indecisive clients

Ceilings: Quote Them Separately

Always break out ceilings as a separate line item. Ceiling painting runs $1.00-$3.00 per square foot depending on height, texture, and condition. Flat ceilings at 8 feet are straightforward. Vaulted ceilings, popcorn texture, or water-stained ceilings add complexity fast.

Production rate for ceilings is slower than walls because you are working overhead, dealing with roller spray, and protecting flooring. Budget about 30% more time per square foot compared to walls.

Pro Tips for Painting Contractors

1. Measure wall area, not floor area. Every painting estimate should be based on actual paintable surface. If you are using floor area as a shortcut, make sure your multiplier accounts for ceiling height and the window/door count in that specific home.

2. Price prep separately on older homes. A home built in 1960 with layers of old paint and plaster walls is a different job than a 2015 build with smooth drywall. Don’t bury the prep cost in a flat rate. Call it out.

3. Account for production rate drops. Small rooms, tight spaces, stairwells, and rooms full of built-in furniture all slow you down. A wide-open great room paints faster per square foot than a 6x8 bathroom.

4. Two coats is the standard. Three is the exception. Most color-on-color repaints need exactly two coats for solid coverage. Going from a dark color to white, or any dramatic color change, may need primer plus two coats (effectively three passes). Price accordingly.

5. Don’t forget drying time. Two coats means at least two visits to each area, with drying time between. Plan your crew flow so they are always working while other areas dry, not standing around waiting.

Common Mistakes That Kill Painting Profits

• Underbidding prep work. The paint goes on in a few hours. The prep, patching, sanding, caulking, and masking takes longer than most new painters expect. If you’ve never tracked your prep hours separately, start now.
• Not accounting for the wall-to-floor ratio. Quoting $3/sqft on a 2,000 sqft house thinking you mean wall area, then realizing the client heard floor area. That mistake costs thousands.
• Skipping the walk-through. Every painting bid needs an in-person look at the walls. Photos don’t show peeling paint in corners, water stains behind furniture, or textured surfaces that need extra coats.
• Flat-rate pricing for all rooms. A bathroom with a toilet, vanity, and shower surround to mask off is not the same production rate as an empty bedroom. Price the harder rooms higher.
• Forgetting to include the ceiling in your estimate. Homeowners often assume “paint the house” includes ceilings. If you didn’t price them, you either eat the cost or have an awkward conversation mid-job.

Regional Pricing Differences

Interior painting costs vary by market. Labor rates are the primary driver since paint prices are relatively consistent nationwide.

• High-cost markets (NYC, SF, LA, Seattle, Boston): Labor runs $3-$5+ per wall sq ft due to higher wages, insurance, and cost of living.
• Mid-cost markets (Denver, Portland, Nashville, Raleigh): Labor runs $2-$3.50/sqft. This is where most of the pricing data in this guide lands.
• Lower-cost markets (rural South, Midwest, small towns): Labor can run $1-$2/sqft, but material costs are similar everywhere.

All pricing in this guide reflects 2026 national averages. Prices vary by region based on local labor markets, cost of living, and demand. Always verify with local contractors and suppliers to confirm rates for your specific market.

For a detailed breakdown of painting labor rates by task type (walls, trim, doors, ceilings), see our painting labor cost per square foot guide. If you’re pricing an exterior job, the numbers are different - check our exterior house painting cost estimate guide. And to calculate paint quantities for your specific project, use our paint calculator or the painting estimate calculator for a full bid.

FAQs

How much does it cost to paint interior walls per square foot?

Interior wall painting costs $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot of wall area in 2026, including labor, two coats of paint, and basic surface prep. Budget jobs start at $1.50/sqft with economy paint. Mid-range work runs $2-$3.50/sqft. Premium jobs with high-end paint and extensive prep cost $3.50-$5.00+ per sqft.

How do I convert floor square footage to wall square footage?

Multiply the floor square footage by 2.5 to 3.5 to estimate gross wall area. A 1,500 sq ft house has roughly 3,750 to 5,250 sq ft of wall surface before subtracting doors and windows. For a more precise number, measure each room’s perimeter and multiply by the ceiling height.

How much paint do I need per square foot?

At a coverage rate of 350 sq ft per gallon per coat, one gallon covers about 175 sq ft with two coats (the standard). A 400 sq ft bedroom with 8-foot ceilings has about 280 sq ft of paintable wall, needing approximately 1.6 gallons or 2 gallons with waste factor.

Is it cheaper to paint one room or the whole house?

Painting the whole house is significantly cheaper per square foot. Setup, cleanup, and mobilization costs get spread across more area. A single room might cost $4-$6/sqft (floor area) while a whole-house job comes in at $3-$5/sqft (floor area) for the same quality level.

Should I charge by the room or by the square foot?

Charge by square foot of wall area. Per-room pricing seems simpler but leads to underbidding on large rooms and overbidding on small ones. Square-foot pricing ensures your labor and material costs align with the actual work. Quote rooms individually by their wall area, then present the total.

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