Exterior Paint Calculator
Estimate paint gallons, cost, and labor hours for your home
Total distance around the exterior walls
Height of the exterior walls
Total area of doors and windows (non-paintable)
Number of paint coats to apply
Hours
—
hours
Paint Gallons
—
gallons
Estimated Cost
—
USD
Disclaimer: Results are estimates based on standard formulas. Not a substitute for professional advice from a licensed contractor, engineer, or architect. Verify all calculations before making purchasing or construction decisions.
How to Use This Calculator
Estimating exterior paint starts with the true paintable wall area. Subtracting openings and multiplying by the number of coats keeps your budget accurate.
- Measure the perimeter of your house at ground level
- Measure the wall height to the eaves
- Subtract door and window openings from the total
- Choose the number of coats (two is standard for best coverage)
Expert Insights
Smart analysis for your Painting project
Opening Deduction
Doors and windows account for 10-15% of gross wall area. Subtracting them prevents overbuying roughly a gallon or more of paint.
Coat Coverage Logic
Two coats deliver true color and durability. The second coat covers faster (~400 sq ft/gal) but we conservatively use 350 sq ft/gal for both.
Labor Hour Benchmarks
A skilled painter covers ~250 sq ft per hour including prep. Add 30-50% for scaffolding, scraping, and multi-story access.
Calculation Formula
Paintable Area = Perimeter x Wall Height - Openings
Gallons = ceil(Paintable Area x Coats / 350)
Cost = ceil(Gallons x $55)
Hours = ceil(Paintable Area x Coats / 250)
Exterior Paint Type Comparison
| Paint Type | Lifespan | Coverage (sq ft/gal) | Cost per Gallon | Best Surface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic Latex | 7-10 years | 350 | $45-$65 | Wood, vinyl, fiber cement |
| Elastomeric | 10-15 years | 250 | $60-$90 | Stucco, masonry |
| Oil-Based Alkyd | 5-8 years | 300 | $50-$75 | Bare wood, metal |
| Premium Acrylic | 12-15 years | 350 | $65-$100 | All substrates |
Authority References
Our calculations are based on guidelines and standards from these authoritative sources:
- Master Painters Institute (MPI) — Exterior Architectural Painting Standards. Learn more
- Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) — Production & Cost Estimating Standards. Learn more
- American Coatings Association (ACA) — Exterior Coatings Performance Guidelines. Learn more
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to paint the exterior of a house?
Exterior painting averages $1,800-$4,500 for a typical 1,500-2,000 sq ft home. Premium siding or multi-story homes can run $5,000 or more.
How many square feet does a gallon of exterior paint cover?
A gallon of exterior paint covers about 350 sq ft per coat on smooth siding. Rough surfaces like stucco or brick may reduce coverage to 250 sq ft per gallon.
How long does it take to paint a house exterior?
A professional crew paints an average home exterior in 3-5 days. DIY painters should budget 1-2 weeks depending on prep work and weather.