Painting estimate calculator

Build a painting estimate or quote before the job starts.

Enter the room or total area, then CoatWise breaks the estimate into paint, primer, supplies, and labor so you can hand a clear quote to a homeowner or check a contractor's number.

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, %

For a quote, use the paint the client selected and a realistic waste factor. Contractors often add 10 to 15 percent for cut-in, touch-ups, and mistakes.

Labor estimate

Labor rate per sq ft Minimum labor charge

Labor is on by default for a contractor-style quote. Lower it or set to 0 for a DIY material-only estimate.

Painter with roller preparing an interior wall for a quote

Quote with line items. Paint, primer, supplies, and labor are each shown so the number is easy to defend.

Estimate breakdown

Materials, primer, and labor

Line item	How it is estimated	Amount

How to write a painting quote

A clear painting quote lists surface area, coats, paint and primer, supplies, labor rate, and a minimum charge. For whole rooms or homes, estimate each space or use total square feet. Always call out prep and repairs separately, because sanding, patching, caulking, and priming bare drywall change the price more than the paint itself.

Walk-through vs measured

For a quick ballpark, enter typical room sizes. For a committed quote, measure walls or use a floor plan and switch to total square feet so the number reflects the actual job.

Estimate vs final price

The calculator isolates labor, so you can show a homeowner exactly what they pay for. Most residential interior quotes land around $2 to $6 per paintable square foot with labor, higher for heavy prep, trim, or premium paint. Use the cost-per-square-foot readout to sanity-check your own quote against the local market.

DIY vs professional

Homeowners can set labor to 0 and read the material-only total. Painters can keep labor on and copy the line-item summary straight into a proposal.

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Painting estimate FAQ

How do painters calculate a quote?

Most painters estimate paintable square footage, multiply by a labor rate per square foot, then add paint, primer, supplies, and prep. The calculator separates each line so the quote is easy to explain and defend.

What should a painting estimate include?

A clear estimate lists surface area, number of coats, paint and primer, supplies, labor rate, minimum charge, and any prep or repair work. The calculator outputs all of these as a line-item table you can copy into a proposal.

Should I include primer in the quote?

Yes when there is bare drywall, stain blocking, or a large color change. Primer is checked by default on this page; uncheck it only for a simple repaint over a similar color.

Is this an official quote?

No. It is a planning and proposal aid. Final pricing depends on site conditions, prep, paint brand, and your local labor market. Confirm with an on-site walk-through before committing.

Independent tool. CoatWise is not affiliated with any paint brand, retailer, or contractor. Coverage and price vary by product and region. Verify the numbers on the can label and with your painter.