Calculating Paint Quantities

Not ordering enough paint for your decorating project can be frustrating, but overordering will mean you're left with materials you don't need. That’s why we created our handy paint calculator, which is built into each of our paint product pages to help you get it right first time.

Our online advice is designed to be a helpful starting point, but we strongly recommend that you check with your decorator or email info@bespokedecorni.com for more detailed advice before ordering.


BEFORE YOU START

Please note that we don’t take doors, windows or alcoves into consideration when making our calculations, and that the paint calculator is only suitable for calculating wall paint requirements.

You should also think about the nature of your painting surface before you begin – porous walls are likely to require extra coats, as are walls undergoing dramatic colour transformations, although using the right primer/undercoat for your project can help to minimise the number of coats required.


CALCULATING COVERAGE

This table is a guide to the maximum coverage of our paint finishes. Coverage is dependent on thickness of application and the condition of the surface you’re painting, and all our figures are based on one coat. However, for best results, we recommend following the Farrow & Ball system of one coat of primer/undercoat followed by two coats of topcoat. 

Finish

Sizes

Maximum coverage per coat*

Recommended coats**

Drying time***

Estate Emulsion

100ml, 2.5 litres, 5 litres

70m2 per 5 litres

2

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 2 hours

Modern Emulsion

2.5 litres, 5 litres

60m2 per 5 litres

2

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Estate Eggshell

750ml, 2.5 litres, 5 litres

60m2 per 5 litres

2

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Modern Eggshell

750ml, 2.5 litres, 5 litres

60m2 per 5 litres

2

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Full Gloss

750ml, 2.5 litres

30m2 per 2.5 litres

2

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Dead Flat

750ml, 2.5 litres, 5 litres

60m2 per 5 litres

2

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Exterior Masonry

5 litres

40m2 per 5 litres

2

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Exterior Eggshell

750ml, 2.5 litres

32m2 per 2.5 litres

2

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Casein Distemper

2.5 litres, 5 litres

65m2 per 5 litres

2

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Soft Distemper

5 litres

65m2 per 5 litres

2

Dry in 2 hours

Limewash

5 litres

Varies on conditions

4

Dry in 3 hours / recoat 12 hours

Exterior Wood Primer & Undercoat

750ml, 2.5 litres

32m2 per 2.5 litres

1

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Interior Wood Primer & Undercoat

750ml, 2.5 litres, 5 litres

60m2 per 5 litres

1

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Wall & Ceiling Primer & Undercoat

2.5 litres, 5 litres

60m2 per 5 litres

1

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Wood Knot & Resin Blocking Primer

750ml, 2.5 litres

32m2 per 2.5 litres

1

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Wood Floor Primer & Undercoat

750ml, 2.5 litres

32m2 per 2.5 litres

1

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Metal Primer & Undercoat

750ml

9m2 per 750ml

2

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

Masonry & Plaster Stabilising Primer

5 litres

100m2 per 5 litres

1

Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours