Calculating Paint Quantities

Working out how much paint you need isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve created a handy, built-in paint calculator that’s simple to use:

Pick the paint colour you love the most (easier said than done, we know) and click ‘buy now’ on the product page. You’ll then be asked to choose a finish and a quantity.
When you’re asked to choose your quantity, look for the paintbrush icon asking ‘How much paint do I need?’ and click on it. Then, our paint calculator will work out a recommendation for you.
Double check your space. Our paint coverage calculator is a helpful starting point but it can only calculate paint needed for walls, it doesn’t take windows, doors or alcoves into account. So, we recommend you also check with your decorator, look at our coverage table below or email customerservices@farrow-ball.com for more detailed advice before ordering.

Coverage information

If you’d like to work out how much paint is needed to paint a wall or specific space, the table below lists the maximum coverage of our paint finishes. Simply calculate the area of the surface you’re painting - remember to account for windows, alcoves etc – and then use the table to find out the amount of paint needed.

The figures below are dependent on one coat. However, coverage, and so the number of coats you need to do, depends on thickness of application, the condition of the surface you’re painting and whether you’re making a dramatic change - Hague Blue to Wimborne White for example. For the best finish and unrivalled depth of colour, we recommend one coat of Primer & Undercoat followed by two coats of topcoat.

Finish	Sizes	Maximum coverage per coat*	Recommended coats**	Drying time***
Estate Emulsion	100ml, 2.5 litres, 5 litres	70m² per 5 litres	2	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 2 hours
Modern Emulsion	2.5 litres, 5 litres	60m² per 5 litres	2	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Estate Eggshell	750ml, 2.5 litres, 5 litres	60m² per 5 litres	2	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Modern Eggshell	750ml, 2.5 litres, 5 litres	60m² per 5 litres	2	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Full Gloss	750ml, 2.5 litres	30m² per 2.5 litres	2	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Dead Flat	750ml, 2.5 litres, 5 litres	60m² per 5 litres	2	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Exterior Masonry	5 litres	40m² per 5 litres	2	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Exterior Eggshell	750ml, 2.5 litres	32m² per 2.5 litres	2	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Casein Distemper	2.5 litres, 5 litres	65m² per 5 litres	2	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Soft Distemper	5 litres	65m² per 5 litres	2	Dry in 2 hours
Limewash	5 litres	Varies on conditions	4	Dry in 3 hours / recoat 12 hours
Exterior Wood Primer & Undercoat	750ml, 2.5 litres	32m² per 2.5 litres	1	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Interior Wood Primer & Undercoat	750ml, 2.5 litres, 5 litres	60m² per 5 litres	1	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Wall & Ceiling Primer & Undercoat	2.5 litres, 5 litres	60m² per 5 litres	1	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Wood Knot & Resin Blocking Primer	750ml, 2.5 litres	32m² per 2.5 litres	1	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Wood Floor Primer & Undercoat	750ml, 2.5 litres	32m² per 2.5 litres	1	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Metal Primer & Undercoat	750ml	9m² per 750ml	2	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours
Masonry & Plaster Stabilising Primer	5 litres	100m² per 5 litres	1	Dry in 2 hours / recoat 4 hours

^{*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.}

How much paint do I need?

Transform Your Home