Paint Sheen Coverage Calculator â How Many Gallons by Finish?
Enter wall area and coats to get gallons for your chosen sheen. No sign-up, no data stored.
Paint needed
How paint sheen coverage is calculated
- Coverage by sheen: flat 350, eggshell/satin 300, semi-gloss 300, gloss 260 sq ft per gallon per coat.
- Gallons = wall area à coats ÷ coverage, plus a 10â15% waste factor, rounded up.
- Tip: textured walls and dark colors drop coverage 10â20% â increase the waste factor.
- Buying: gallons are cheaper per ounce; a quart covers a small accent wall or touch-ups.
The same color in different sheens covers slightly differently because glossier paints carry more resin and less pigment. For ceilings, flat hides imperfections best; for trim, semi-gloss cleans up well. When in doubt, buy one gallon more â unopened cans are usually returnable, and you'll need it for touch-ups later.
Coverage by sheen
Typical square footage per gallon per coat for each finish.
| Sheen | Coverage (sq ft/gal) | Best for | Washable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat | 350â400 | Ceilings, low-traffic | No |
| Eggshell | 300â350 | Living rooms, bedrooms | Light |
| Satin | 300â350 | Kids' rooms, hallways | Yes |
| Semi-gloss | 300 | Trim, doors, kitchens | Yes |
| Gloss | 250â300 | Doors, high-wear | Yes |
Last updated: October 2026 · Coverage varies by brand and texture. Check the can's stated coverage before buying.
Paint sheen FAQ
About 350â400 sq ft for flat, 300â350 for eggshell and satin, 300 for semi-gloss, and 250â300 for gloss, per coat. Textured walls cut that by 10â20%.
Eggshell or satin for most walls â enough washability without highlighting every flaw. Flat for ceilings, semi-gloss for trim and doors, gloss only for high-wear spots.
Yes. Glossier paints cover less per gallon â flat covers the most (350â400 sq ft/gal), gloss the least (250â300). Plan an extra quart to a gallon when switching to a glossier finish.
Two coats for most repaints; three when changing color drastically or covering stains. One coat only for touch-ups of the same color. Primer adds another step but saves paint on bare drywall.
Match durability to traffic: flat hides flaws but doesn't clean; satin/eggshell balances both for living areas; semi-gloss wipes clean for trim, doors and kitchens; gloss for doors and high-wear surfaces. Same color, different finishes â test on a patch first.
Related calculators & guides
Paint Sheen Comparison: Flat, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss
Paint sheen explained: flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss — what each is for, and how sheen changes how much paint you need. Free paint calculator included.
Read the guide →