Painting Estimation Calculator

Estimate paint volume and material cost from area, dry film thickness, volume solids, loss factor and number of coats.

Surface area to paint (m²) Number of coats

DFT per coat (µm) Volume solids (%) Loss factor (%)

Paint unit price (per litre) Currency

Or calculate the area from a section

Leave the area empty and choose a section, length and quantity – the estimated coating area is used.

Section

Length (m) Quantity

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Method & assumptions

Theoretical spreading rate (m²/L) = 10 × VS / DFT ; Theoretical volume (L) = Area × coats / rate ; Practical volume (L) = Theoretical volume / (1 − loss)

VS = volume solids (%), DFT = dry film thickness per coat (µm), loss = loss factor (%)

Loss factor covers overspray, surface profile, application method and wastage (typically 20–50 % for airless spray on steelwork). Always check the paint manufacturer's product data sheet.