Free Online Painting Cost Calculator
Paint coverage varies by brand and is shown on the paint can label. Typically, one gallon covers 350–400 sq ft (primer covers less). Use the sections below to enter areas for walls, ceilings, doors, windows, and moulding.
This calculator provides an estimate only.
Paint Calculator
Paint Estimate
Walls
Ceiling
Doors and Windows
Moulding
Steps to use Invoice Fly's free online painting cost calculator
Table of Contents
What does this painting cost calculator do?
Our painting cost calculator instantly generates a professional, on-brand quote by combining your project inputs (square footage, wall height, number of coats, paint grade, prep requirements) with built-in unit rates for labor, materials, and overhead. In seconds you’ll see:
- Line-item breakdown (surface area × paint & labor rates)
- Min-to-Max price range for realistic quoting
- Add-on options (primer, trim, repairs, specialty finishes)
- Recommended markup to hit your target profit margin
Use it to replace time-consuming spreadsheets, eliminate math errors, and deliver polished estimates from any device.
What is the formula for this painting cost calculator?
Total cost = (surface area × paint coverage rate × paint unit price)
- (surface area × labor rate per sq ft)
- flat fees (prep, primer, trim)
- material costs (tape, drop cloths, caulk)
- overhead allocation
- desired profit margin
- Surface area = (wall length + ceiling) × height – (windows + doors)
- Paint coverage rate = gallons per sq ft based on paint grade
- Desired profit margin applies a percentage markup on subtotal
How do you calculate painting cost?
Measure & Prep
- Calculate total square footage of walls and ceilings, subtract openings.
- Assess surface condition: new drywall vs. glossy finish.
Select Paint & Supplies
- Choose paint grade (economy, mid‑range, premium) and primer needs.
- Determine material costs: gallons × unit price + consumables.
Estimate Labor Hours
- Apply your crew’s painting rate (150–200 sq ft per hour per painter).
Add Overhead & Profit
- Factor in insurance, vehicle, admin, and apply your target margin (15–30%).
Sum for Final Quote
- Combine material, labor, overhead, and markup for a competitive, profitable price.
What is a fair price to charge for painting?
- Interior Painting: $2.00 – $4.00 per sq ft (walls & ceilings)
- Exterior Painting: $1.50 – $3.50 per sq ft (siding, trim)
- Hourly Rates: $25 – $45 per painter, depending on expertise and locale
- Flat‑Rate Rooms:
- Bedrooms: $200–$350
- Bathrooms: $150–$300
- Kitchens: $300–$600
Adjust for local labor costs, project complexity, and paint quality to stay competitive while protecting margins.
How much should it cost to paint a 1000 sq ft house?
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Standard interior only:
- Low end: 1,000 sq ft × $2.00 = $2,000
- High end: 1,000 sq ft × $4.00 = $4,000
- Deep prep & premium paint: add $1,000–$2,000 for primer, repairs, and high‑end finishes
- Exterior Painting: $1,500 – $3,500 total, depending on surface type and accessibility
How do painters estimate a job?
- Site inspection: Note square footage, surface condition, access challenges (ladders, scaffolding).
- Quantity takeoff: Measure walls, trim, ceilings, doors, and windows for accurate material and labor needs.
- Labor planning: Calculate crew size and hours based on standard sq ft‑per‑hour productivity rates.
- Material calculation: Determine gallons of paint, primer, caulk, tape, and drop cloths.
- Overhead allocation: Pro‑rate vehicle, equipment depreciation, insurance, and administrative costs.
- Profit & contingency: Add markup (15–30%) and a small buffer (5–10%) for unforeseen repairs.
How do I improve my painting business profit margins?
Optimize crew Efficiency: Standardize processes, cross‑train painters, and track productivity.
Bulk‑buy materials: Negotiate volume discounts on paint, primer, and supplies.
Offer value‑adds: Upsell texture finishes, accent walls, or color consults at premium prices.
Reduce idle iime: Plan routes geographically to minimize travel and maximize billable hours.
Automate estimating & invoicing: Use Invoice Fly to cut admin time, speed client approvals, and avoid late payments.
Review Pricing Quarterly: Adjust unit rates for rising costs and local market shifts.
Factors that affect painting prices
Square footage & height: More surface area and taller walls require extra time and equipment.
Paint quality & finish: Premium paints and specialty coatings cost more per gallon.
Prep & repairs: Cracks, mildew, or water damage increase labor and materials.
Access & complexity: Multi‑story homes, high ceilings, and intricate trim work add hours.
Geographic location: Urban centers command higher labor rates than rural areas.
Season & climate: Peak seasons may carry premiums; humidity affects dry times and scheduling.
Crew experience: Veteran painters justify higher rates with faster, higher‑quality work.
Use Invoice Fly estimating app to send fast house cleaning estimates to your clients
With invoice fly, you will no longer have to worry about sending a professional estimate, collecting a deposit or a signature, or collecting job payments. Our estimating app offers you the following benefits:
Fast creation
No account required. Start, finish, and send in minutes.
Mobile-firendly
Create or edit estimates right from your phone.
Downloadable PDFs
Perfect for emailing or printing.
Branded templates
Impress your customers and stand out.
Live editing
Need to tweak the price before a deal closes? Do it instantly.
FAQs about our Free Online Painting Cost Calculator
Most professional painters in the U.S. charge between $1.00–$3.00 per sq ft for interior wall painting, and $1.50–$4.00 per sq ft for exterior surfaces. Rates vary by region, home condition, and paint type—premium finishes command the higher end of the range.
Calculate total surface area: measure wall perimeter × ceiling height, then subtract door/window openings.
Determine coverage: divide total area by your paint’s coverage rate (typically 350–400 sq ft per gallon).
Add coats: multiply gallons needed by number of coats (usually 2).
Material costs: multiply total gallons by your per‑gallon paint cost, then add primer, tape, drop cloths, caulk, and brushes.
Absolutely. Surface preparation (patching cracks, sanding, priming) and post‑job cleanup (removing tape, disposing drop cloths, washing tools) can add 10–25% to labor time. Failing to itemize these fees can erode your margins—always list “Prep & Cleanup” as a separate line item in your estimate.
Multiple coats: Each additional coat requires more labor and paint. Budget 50% extra time per coat beyond the first.
Paint quality: Premium or low‑VOC paints cost $40–$70 per gallon versus $15–$30 for economy lines. Higher‑end formulas often cover better (fewer coats) and last longer—factor in both the per‑gallon rate and potential labor savings when quoting.
Invoice Fly’s Painting Cost Calculator uses up‑to‑date national averages for labor and materials, plus your real project inputs, to deliver quotes that typically fall within ±10% of the final job cost. You can further refine accuracy by adjusting default unit rates to match your local market or crew productivity.
