Cabinet Paint Calculator — How Much Paint for Kitchen Cabinets?
Enter your cabinet front area, number of doors and coats to get paint in quarts and gallons for your kitchen cabinet makeover. No sign-up, no data stored.
Cabinet paint needed
How cabinet paint quantity is estimated
- Front area (sq ft) = total entered, or doors x average sq ft per face.
- Coverage = 250-350 sq ft/gal depending on finish and application.
- Gallons = front area x coats ÷ coverage.
- Quarts = gallons x 4, for easy incremental buying.
Cabinet paint is more expensive per gallon than wall paint, but it is formulated to self-level and resist scuffs. The finish option matters: sprayed alkyd goes further and lays flatter than brush-applied latex.
Cabinet count → paint reference
2 coats, brushed enamel at 300 sq ft/gal, 2.5 sq ft per door face.
| Doors + drawers | Front area | Paint (2 coats) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 25 sq ft | 1 quart |
| 15 | 38 sq ft | 1 quart + |
| 20 | 50 sq ft | 2 quarts |
| 30 | 75 sq ft | 2 quarts + |
| 40 | 100 sq ft | 1 gallon |
Last updated: October 2026 · Add 10% for cabinet sides, toe kicks and shelves you decide to paint along the way.
Cabinet paint FAQ
Cabinets get touched constantly - handles, water splashes, and cabinet slams - so they need a durable film. Two coats of primer plus two of paint is the standard; a sprayed finish is even more durable than brush and roller.
A standard 10x10 kitchen (about 20 doors plus drawers) runs 80-120 sq ft of cabinet front. That is roughly 2 quarts to 1 gallon of paint per 2 coats with a good cabinet paint.
No - wall paint is too soft and scratches easily. Use a cabinet-specific alkyd or acrylic enamel that self-levels. It costs more per gallon but outlasts wall paint by years on cabinet faces.
Yes, if they are the same size. A standard cabinet door is about 2-3 sq ft; drawer fronts are smaller. Count the visible front face only - the insides and sides need separate coverage if you paint them.
Yes - glossy factory finishes reject paint. Clean with a degreaser, scuff-sand with 120-150 grit or use a liquid deglosser, then apply primer. Skipping this step is the #1 reason cabinet paint peels.
Related calculators & guides
How Much Paint for Kitchen Cabinets?
Front-area math, finish choices and the full prep-to-paint workflow.
Read the guide →