Paint Cost Calculator – Estimate Your Total Paint Budget
Not sure how much your paint project will cost? Enter your dimensions and price per litre for an instant materials budget estimate.
Free Paint Calculator
Paint Calculator
Enter your wall dimensions below
How to Calculate Your Total Paint Cost
Paint cost depends on three variables: how many litres you need, the price per litre, and whether you need primer. Our paint cost calculator works out all three instantly. Enter your wall area, surface type, and the price per litre on your chosen paint tin to get an accurate materials budget.
Keep in mind that material cost is only part of the total project budget. If you're hiring a painter, labour typically costs $25–$60 per hour or $15–$30 per m² depending on your location, surface condition, and the complexity of the job.
Paint Price Guide by Quality Tier
| Paint Quality | Price per Litre | Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget / Trade | $5–$10/L | 8–10 m²/L | Rental props, undercoats |
| Mid-range | $10–$20/L | 10–12 m²/L | Most home projects |
| Premium | $20–$40/L | 12–15 m²/L | Feature walls, high-wear areas |
| Specialist Exterior | $15–$35/L | 6–10 m²/L | Outdoor surfaces |
| Ceiling Paint | $8–$18/L | 10–12 m²/L | Flat white ceilings |
| Primer / Undercoat | $10–$20/L | 8–10 m²/L | New surfaces, colour change |
Paint Cost Calculation Examples
Standard Bedroom — Material Cost
~35 m² wall area. Two coats at 10 m²/L = 7 litres. At $15/L = $105 materials. Add primer ($30) and you're looking at ~$135 total material cost for a fresh bedroom.
Living Room — Material Cost
~50 m² wall area. Two coats at 10 m²/L = 10 litres. At $18/L = $180 in paint. Add $40 primer and $20 brushes/rollers = ~$240 total.
Full 3-Bedroom House Interior
Total wall area typically 300–450 m². Two coats = 60–90 litres. At $15/L average = $900–$1,350 material cost. Professional labour adds $2,000–$5,000.
How to Reduce Your Paint Budget
Buy larger tins — a 10L tin is significantly cheaper per litre than five 2L tins
Use a tinted primer when changing colours dramatically to reduce topcoat coats needed
Stick to one or two neutral colours for the whole interior to simplify purchasing
Buy paint during end-of-season sales — spring and autumn often have the best deals
Calculate carefully before buying — our free calculator prevents costly over-purchases
Upgrade to Paint Pro Calc Pro
Unlock professional tools including multi-room calculations, cost estimation, quotes, invoices, and project management.
From $2.99/month · No credit card required for trial