Total distance around the house. Example: 30×50 = 160 ft perimeter
Floor to eave. Standard is 8-9 ft per story
Height from eave to peak. Leave 0 for hip roofs or no gables
~15 sq ft each
~21 sq ft each
~112 sq ft each
2 coats is standard. Color changes or bare surfaces may need 3
Recommended for bare wood, stucco, brick, or dramatic color changes. Many premium paints include primer.
Gallons of Paint Needed
6 gallons
Mid-Grade - 2 coats over 1,166 sq ft
Area Breakdown
Paint Quantity
Buying Options
5-gallon buckets save 10-15% per gallon and ensure color consistency across the whole house.
Cost Estimate
Prices are 2026 retail estimates. Does not include brushes, rollers, tape, drop cloths, or caulk. Professional labor adds $1.50-$4.00/sq ft depending on your region and house complexity.
12,800+ estimates calculated this month
Last updated: 2026-03-19
How Much Paint Does a House Exterior Actually Need?
I've watched homeowners walk into the paint store, grab 4 gallons, and come back the next day for 4 more. The coverage number on the can is for ideal conditions on a flat, smooth wall. Your house is not a flat, smooth wall.
Stucco eats paint. Wood shingles drink it up through the end grain. Old, chalky siding absorbs the first coat like a sponge. And you still have to work around trim, soffits, and fascia that need separate treatment. The calculator above accounts for surface type, deductions, and multiple coats so you get a number you can actually trust.
Try EstimationPro free to build a complete exterior painting estimate with labor, materials, and profit margin. It handles the whole bid, not just the paint quantity.
Coverage by Surface Type
| Surface | Coverage/Gal | Why It Varies |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth Siding | ~400 sq ft | Minimal absorption, paint sits on top |
| T1-11 / Plywood | ~350 sq ft | Grooves add hidden surface area |
| Brick / Block | ~250 sq ft | Porous, mortar joints absorb extra |
| Wood Shingle | ~250 sq ft | Overlapping edges, rough grain |
| Stucco | ~200 sq ft | Rough texture, heaviest absorption |
All figures are per coat. Multiply usage by number of coats (2 is standard).
Worked Examples
Example A: 1,200 sq ft ranch, smooth siding, 2 coats, mid-grade paint
- Perimeter: 160 ft. Height: 9 ft. Gross area: 1,440 sq ft
- Deductions: 8 windows (120), 2 doors (42), 1 garage door (112) = 274 sq ft
- Net area: 1,166 sq ft
- Gallons: 1,166 × 2 / 400 = 5.83, round up = 6 gallons
- Cost: $228-$330 for paint
Example B: 2,400 sq ft two-story, stucco, 2 coats + primer
- Perimeter: 180 ft. Height: 18 ft. Gross area: 3,240 sq ft
- Deductions: 14 windows (210), 3 doors (63), 1 garage door (112) = 385 sq ft
- Net area: 2,855 sq ft
- Paint: 2,855 × 2 / 200 = 28.55, round up = 29 gallons
- Primer: 2,855 / 300 = 9.52, round up = 10 gallons
- Cost: $1,297-$2,670 for paint + $200-$350 primer
Example C: Small cabin, 600 sq ft, wood shingle, 2 coats, economy paint
- Perimeter: 100 ft. Height: 8 ft. Gross area: 800 sq ft
- Deductions: 4 windows (60), 1 door (21) = 81 sq ft
- Net area: 719 sq ft
- Gallons: 719 × 2 / 250 = 5.75, round up = 6 gallons
- Cost: $150-$210 for paint
Exterior Paint Costs by Grade
| Grade | Price/Gal | Durability | 1,200 sq ft House (2 coats) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | $25-$35 | 3-5 years | $150-$210 |
| Mid-Grade | $38-$55 | 7-10 years | $228-$330 |
| Premium | $55-$80 | 10-15 years | $330-$480 |
Costs are paint only for smooth siding. Stucco and brick double the gallon count.
Prep Work You Cannot Skip
I've seen paint jobs fail within a year because someone skipped the prep. The prep is the job. The painting is the easy part.
- Pressure wash everything. Dirt, mildew, and chalky residue prevent adhesion. Use a 2,500 PSI washer with a 25-degree tip. Wait 24-48 hours for the surface to dry completely before painting.
- Scrape and sand loose paint. Any peeling or flaking paint will take the new coat with it. Scrape to a firm edge, then sand smooth. This is tedious work, but skipping it guarantees failure.
- Caulk every gap. Around windows, doors, trim joints, and anywhere siding meets a different material. Water behind the paint is the #1 cause of peeling. A $5 tube of caulk prevents a $500 repaint.
- Prime bare spots. Any area where you scraped to bare wood needs primer. Paint without primer on raw wood soaks in unevenly and peels within a season.
- Mask and protect. Tape off windows, cover plants, protect the driveway. Paint overspray on brick or concrete is permanent.
Common Exterior Painting Mistakes
- Painting in direct sun. The surface gets too hot and the paint dries before it can level and bond. Paint in the shade, or follow the sun around the house. Start the east side in the afternoon, west side in the morning.
- Painting when rain is forecast. Latex paint needs 4-6 hours of dry time before moisture exposure. Check the 48-hour forecast before you start. One rain shower on wet paint ruins a whole day's work.
- Skipping the second coat. One coat looks fine when it's wet. A week later you see every thin spot and brush mark. Two coats is the standard for a reason.
- Buying the cheapest paint. Economy paint fades, chalks, and peels faster. You save $100 at the store and spend $3,000 repainting 3 years later. Mid-grade or premium paint is almost always worth the upfront cost.
Need to estimate a complete exterior painting job? Our painting estimate calculator covers labor hours, prep costs, and material pricing. For measuring specific walls, the square footage calculator handles any shape. And if you're putting together a full bid, EstimationPro builds the estimate, turns it into a proposal, and follows up with the homeowner automatically so you win more of the bids you already send. Try EstimationPro free.
How to Use This Calculator
Measure your house perimeter
Walk the outside of the house and add up all wall lengths. A 30×50 ft ranch has a perimeter of 160 ft. Include bump-outs, bay windows, and attached garage walls.
Enter wall height and gable info
Measure from the foundation to the eave line. Standard single-story homes are 8-9 ft. Two stories run 17-18 ft. If you have gable ends, enter the peak height above the eave.
Count openings to deduct
Enter the number of windows, doors, and garage doors. The calculator deducts standard sizes automatically. More openings means less paint, so an accurate count saves you from over-buying.
Pick your surface and paint grade
Stucco eats twice as much paint as smooth siding. Rough surfaces soak up product. Choose your paint grade based on how long you want the job to last. Premium paint costs more upfront but saves money over 15 years.
Exterior Paint Quantity Formula
Gross Area = Perimeter × Wall Height + Gable Area
Net Area = Gross Area - Window Deductions - Door Deductions
Gallons = (Net Area × Coats) ÷ Coverage per Gallon
Total Cost = Gallons × Price per Gallon + Primer (if needed)Where:
- Coverage
- = 200-400 sq ft/gal depending on surface texture (stucco to smooth siding)
- Window Deduction
- = ~15 sq ft per window (average 3×5 ft)
- Door Deduction
- = ~21 sq ft per door (average 3×7 ft)
- Garage Door
- = ~112 sq ft per garage door (average 8×14 ft)
- Gable Area
- = Width × peak height × 0.5 per gable end
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much paint do I need for a 1,500 sq ft house exterior?
A 1,500 sq ft home typically has about 1,200-1,400 sq ft of paintable exterior after deducting windows and doors. With smooth siding and 2 coats, that is 6-7 gallons. Stucco or brick exteriors need 12-14 gallons because of the rough texture. Always round up to avoid a mid-job trip to the store.
How many gallons of exterior paint per square foot?
One gallon of exterior paint covers 250-400 sq ft per coat depending on the surface. Smooth siding gets about 400 sq ft/gal. Stucco drops to 200 sq ft/gal. Brick falls in between at 250 sq ft/gal. These are per-coat numbers. Two coats doubles your usage.
Do I need primer for exterior painting?
You need primer when: painting bare wood, covering a dark color with a light one, painting over stucco or brick for the first time, or the old paint is chalking badly. Many premium exterior paints (Sherwin-Williams Duration, Benjamin Moore Aura) include primer, so a separate coat is not always necessary. Check the can label. If it says "paint and primer in one," you can skip separate primer on previously painted surfaces in good condition.
How do I calculate exterior wall square footage?
Multiply the perimeter of the house by the wall height. A 30×50 ft home with 9 ft walls: perimeter = 160 ft, wall area = 160 × 9 = 1,440 sq ft. Then subtract windows (~15 sq ft each), doors (~21 sq ft each), and garage doors (~112 sq ft each). Add gable area if applicable: width × peak height × 0.5 for each gable end.
How long does exterior paint last?
Lifespan depends on paint grade and exposure. Economy paint: 3-5 years. Mid-grade: 7-10 years. Premium: 10-15 years. South and west-facing walls fade fastest from UV. Proper surface prep, 2 full coats, and caulking all extend the life. Skipping prep to save a weekend costs you a repaint 3-5 years sooner.
Is it cheaper to paint or side a house?
Painting is cheaper upfront. A full exterior paint job runs $3,000-$8,000 for a typical home. Vinyl or fiber cement siding runs $8,000-$20,000+. But siding lasts 20-40 years with zero maintenance. Paint needs a refresh every 7-15 years depending on quality. Over 30 years, the cost often comes out close. Paint makes sense when the existing siding is in good shape.
What is the best exterior paint?
For durability and fade resistance, Sherwin-Williams Duration and Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior consistently perform at the top. Both are acrylic latex with excellent adhesion and UV resistance. For budget projects, Behr Ultra Exterior delivers solid results at a lower price point. Avoid the cheapest contractor-grade paint unless you plan to repaint within 3-5 years.
Can I paint my house exterior myself?
Yes, but plan for the prep time. Pressure washing, scraping, sanding, caulking, and masking take 60-70% of the total project time. The actual painting is the easy part. A DIY exterior paint job saves $2,000-$5,000 in labor but takes a dedicated weekend plus 2-3 weekday evenings for a single-story home. Two-story homes are harder due to ladder work and safety concerns.
How much does it cost to paint a house exterior?
DIY materials only: $300-$800 for paint plus supplies (tape, caulk, brushes, rollers). Hiring a pro: $1.50-$4.00 per square foot of wall area including prep, materials, and labor. A typical 1,500 sq ft home costs $3,000-$7,000 with a professional crew. Two-story homes and complex trim add to the price.
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