Cost to paint a room calculator

Estimate the cost to paint a room before you buy a single can.

Q: How much does it cost to paint a 12x12 room?

A 12x12 room with 8-foot walls has about 384 square feet of wall. Two coats of mid-tier paint at $40 to $50 per gallon usually needs roughly 2 to 3 gallons, plus primer for a color change, so materials often run $100 to $200. Professional labor can add $300 to $700 depending on region.

Q: How much does it cost to paint a bedroom?

Most bedrooms are close to a 10x10 to 12x12 footprint. Expect roughly 1 to 3 gallons of paint for walls, more if the ceiling is included. The calculator shows material and labor totals once you enter the room size.

Enter the room size, then CoatWise calculates paint gallons, primer, supplies, and labor for a bedroom, living room, office, or any single space. Defaults are set to a typical 12x12 room.

Paintable area

Room dimensions Total square feet

Room length, ft Room width, ft Wall height, ft Rooms like this

Doors to subtract Windows to subtract Include ceiling Include primer coat

Paint and cost assumptions

Finish coats Coverage per gallon, sq ft Paint price per gallon Primer price per gallon Supplies budget Waste factor, %

A 12x12 room with 8-foot walls is about 384 square feet of wall. Two coats of mid-tier paint usually needs 2 to 3 gallons. Update the price to your paint line.

Labor estimate

Labor rate per sq ft Minimum labor charge

Set labor to 0 for a DIY material-only room estimate.

Cozy bedroom with a freshly painted accent wall

One room at a time. Set the size for a bedroom, living room, or office and read the cost instantly.

Room cost breakdown

Materials, primer, and labor

Line item	How it is estimated	Amount

Cost to paint a 12x12 room

A 12x12 room with 8-foot walls has roughly 384 square feet of wall. Two coats of mid-tier paint at $40 to $50 per gallon usually needs about 2 to 3 gallons, plus primer if you are making a big color change. Materials often land around $100 to $200, while professional labor can add $300 to $700 depending on your region and prep.

Adjust for your room

Change the length, width, and height to match a bedroom, living room, or office. Add the ceiling only when you are painting it, and check primer for bare drywall or dark-to-light shifts.

How much does it cost to paint a bedroom or living room?

Most bedrooms sit near a 10x10 to 12x12 footprint, so a single room typically needs 1 to 3 gallons of wall paint. Living rooms are larger and often have more windows and openings, which reduce paintable area but add trim. The calculator shows both material and labor totals the moment you enter the size.

DIY vs professional

For DIY, set labor rate to 0 and budget paint, primer, tape, rollers, trays, and drop cloths. For a pro quote, enter a local labor rate per square foot and a minimum charge.

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Cost to paint a room FAQ

How much does it cost to paint a 12x12 room?

A 12x12 room with 8-foot walls is about 384 square feet of wall. Two coats of mid-tier paint typically needs 2 to 3 gallons plus primer for a color change, so materials often run $100 to $200. Professional labor can add $300 to $700 by region.

How many gallons for one bedroom?

Most bedrooms need 1 to 3 gallons of wall paint for two coats. The calculator shows the exact gallons to buy once you enter the room size and coverage rate.

Does the cost include the ceiling?

Only when you check "Include ceiling." Leave it off for a walls-only bedroom or living room repaint.

Is this a contractor quote?

No. It is a planning estimate. Final pricing depends on prep, paint brand, trim, and your local labor market.

Independent tool. CoatWise is not affiliated with any paint brand or retailer. Coverage and price vary by product line, surface, and region. Verify the numbers on the can label before buying.