Ceiling Paint Calculator
Ceiling paint = ceiling length × width × coats ÷ spread rate — 300 ft² per gallon by default, lower than walls because ceilings are often textured. A 12 × 14 ft ceiling with two coats is 336 ft² of coverage, or 1.12 gallons: a gallon and a quart. For walls, use the Wall Paint Calculator.
How it's calculated: Gallons = (length × width × coats) ÷ spread rate (default 300 ft²/gal; about 250 for popcorn texture).
Result appears here
Fill in the fields and press Calculate.
Formula, calculation, assumptions and sources
Area = Length × Width
Gallons = (Area × coats) ÷ spread rate
Run the calculation to see each step with your own numbers.
A 12 ft × 14 ft ceiling, 2 coats, 300 ft²/gal.
Area = 168 ft²
Gallons = (168 × 2) ÷ 300 = 1.12 → 1 gal + a quart
- Flat rectangular ceiling. A vaulted or tray ceiling has more surface — measure the slopes.
- Textured/popcorn ceilings drink paint — use a spread rate around 250 and expect one heavy coat plus a touch-up.
- Same paint as the walls?
- You can, but dedicated ceiling paint is flat (hides roller lap marks and imperfections) and often goes on pink or blue then dries white so you can see your coverage.
- Why is the coverage rate lower than for walls?
- Ceilings are frequently textured or unprimed, both of which soak up more paint. If yours is smooth and primed, raise the rate toward the 350 ft²/gallon used for walls.
- How much paint do I need for a ceiling?
- Multiply the ceiling length by width and by the number of coats, then divide by the spread rate — about 300 ft² per gallon for a rolled ceiling, 250 for popcorn. A 12 × 14 ft ceiling at two coats needs 1.12 gallons.
Spread rate
Ceiling paint spread rates 250–350 ft²/gal depending on texture — paint-manufacturer data.
About the Ceiling Paint Calculator
The Ceiling Paint Calculator sizes paint for a flat rectangular ceiling from its dimensions and the coat count, using a lower default spread rate than walls because ceilings are often rolled over texture. A vaulted or tray ceiling has more surface than its footprint — measure the sloped parts separately.
What you enter
- Ceiling length
- Ceiling width
- Coats
- Coverage (ft²/gal/coat) — Ceilings often take a lower spread rate — 300 for a rolled ceiling; 250 for popcorn/texture.
What you get back
- Paintable area — the exact result of the calculation.
- Paint needed — Round up to whole cans — a gallon and a quart is often cheaper than two gallons.
The formula, a worked example, the assumptions behind it and the sources are shown in full below the calculator.
Related calculators
- Paint Calculator — Paint in gallons or litres for a project from surface area and coats.
- Wall Paint Calculator — Paint for walls only, with doors and windows deducted.
- Floor Area Calculator — Total floor area of a room or a set of rooms.
Related articles
- How Much Paint Coverage Should You Expect? — Paint coverage is usually stated per gallon on the can, but surface texture, porosity and application method can all shift real-world coverage.
Part of the Painting calculators.