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Square Footage Formula:
The Square Footage Calculator For Paint helps determine the actual paintable surface area of a room by calculating the total wall area and subtracting areas that won't be painted, such as doors and windows.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the total wall surface area and subtracts the areas occupied by doors and windows to determine the actual surface that needs painting.
Details: Accurate square footage calculation ensures you purchase the right amount of paint, avoiding waste or shortage. It also helps in budgeting and project planning.
Tips: Measure the room perimeter by adding all wall lengths. Measure wall height from floor to ceiling. Calculate door and window areas by multiplying width by height. All measurements should be in feet.
Q1: Should I include ceilings in this calculation?
A: No, this calculator is specifically for walls. Ceilings require separate calculation using length × width.
Q2: How do I account for multiple doors and windows?
A: Sum the areas of all doors for D and all windows for W before entering the values.
Q3: What about trim and molding?
A: Trim and molding are typically calculated separately and added to the total paintable area.
Q4: How much paint coverage per square foot?
A: Most paints cover 300-400 square feet per gallon, but check the manufacturer's specifications on the paint can.
Q5: Should I add extra for multiple coats?
A: Yes, multiply the final paintable area by the number of coats you plan to apply when calculating paint quantity.