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Exterior House Paint Calculator

Exterior paint covers less area per gallon than interior because siding has texture and absorbs more. This calculator uses 320 sq ft per gallon for siding and estimates 1 gallon per 100 linear feet of trim. Enter your house perimeter, wall height, number of stories, and openings to get a complete material estimate.

Measure all 4 walls: (length + width) × 2

From foundation to eaves

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Top PickBehr Exterior Paint — Home Depotfrom $38/gal

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How to Use This Calculator

  1. 1Enter your measurements in the fields above. Use the units shown next to each field (ft, in, etc.).
  2. 2Click Calculate to get your material estimate instantly.
  3. 3Review the highlighted result — it shows the key quantity you need to order.
  4. 4Use Copy Results to save your estimate, or bookmark the URL — your inputs are encoded in the link.

Pro tip: Always add 10% to your material order to account for waste, cuts, and defects.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many gallons of paint do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house?

A 2,000 sq ft single-story house with 9-foot walls has roughly 1,440 sq ft of exterior wall area (minus openings). At 320 sq ft per gallon with 2 coats, you need about 9 gallons of siding paint plus 2 gallons of trim paint, totaling 11 gallons.

How long does exterior paint last?

Quality exterior paint lasts 5–10 years depending on climate, surface prep, and paint quality. 100% acrylic latex paints last longer than oil-based paints in most climates. Wood siding typically needs repainting every 5–7 years; stucco and masonry can go 10+ years.