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How much exterior paint do I need?

Enter the distance around the house and the wall height. Exterior siding soaks up more paint than drywall.

Paint needed

10 gal

Buy as2 five-gal buckets
Paintable area1,490 sq ft

Estimated material cost

Paint needed

10 x $$50.00 per gallon

$500

Estimated total$500

Typical store prices before tax and delivery. Change any price to match your store.

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How to measure

Measure the distance all the way around the house and the wall height. Count the gable ends. Estimate door and window area at about 21 square feet per door and 15 per window.

Tips from the field

  • Figured at 300 sq ft per gallon. Rough wood, stucco, and brick can take far more.
  • Each gable end is estimated at 100 sq ft.

What you'll need

Exterior paintExterior primerPaint sprayerExterior caulk

Common questions

How many gallons to paint a house exterior?

A typical 1,500 square foot single-story house takes about 8 to 12 gallons for two coats.

Do I need primer on the outside?

On bare wood, patched areas, and big color changes, yes. Many paint-and-primer products cover sound, previously painted siding.

Is spraying faster than rolling?

Much faster, but it uses more paint and needs careful masking.

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