Calculating Paint Quantities

Not ordering enough paint for your decorating project can be frustrating, but overordering will mean you're left with materials you don't need. That’s why we created our handy paint calculator, which is built into each of our paint product pages to help you get it right first time.

Our online advice is designed to be a helpful starting point, but we strongly recommend that you check with your decorator or email customerservices@farrow-ball.com for more detailed advice before ordering.

BEFORE YOU START

Please note that we don’t take doors, windows or alcoves into consideration when making our calculations, and that the paint calculator is only suitable for calculating wall paint requirements.

You should also think about the nature of your painting surface before you begin – porous walls are likely to require extra coats, as are walls undergoing dramatic colour transformations, although using the right Primer & Undercoat for your project can help to minimise the number of coats required.

CALCULATING COVERAGE

This table is a guide to the maximum coverage of our paint finishes. Coverage is dependent on thickness of application and the condition of the surface you’re painting, and all our figures are based on one coat. However, for best results, we recommend following the Farrow & Ball system of one coat of Primer & Undercoat followed by two coats of topcoat. For more information, see our in-depth guide to preparation and application.

^{*Figures are based on one coat. However, we recommend following the Farrow & Ball system of one coat of Primer & Undercoat followed by two coats of your required paint finish.
**Additional coats may be required depending on surface and topcoat colour.
*** The drying and recoat times provided are based on applying paint in normal conditions. Drying times may be longer in cooler and/or higher humidity environments. Darker colours may take longer to dry.}