How many litres of paint per m²

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Answer Spreading rates the sheets actually print The litre formula, and what a new wall adds Litres for common rooms Ceiling litres and which tin to buy The calculators round to US gallons

Worked example — a 4 × 4 m room, 2.7 m high, two coats

Wall area is 2 × (4 + 4) × 2.7 = 43.2 m². One door of 0.90 × 2.10 m is 1.89 m² and one window of 1.20 × 1.20 m is 1.44 m², so openings are 3.33 m² and the net wall is 43.2 − 3.33 = 39.87 m². At the low end of National Acryl Emulsion I, 39.87 × 2 ÷ 8 = 9.9675 litres. At the high end, 39.87 × 2 ÷ 10 = 7.974 litres. Three 4 L tins are 12 L, which covers 9.9675 L. Three 3.6 L tins are 10.8 L. One 18 L tin also covers it. The ceiling is 16 m², and 16 × 2 ÷ 8 = 4 litres exactly, one 4 L tin, before any waste.

Updated 31 October 2026 · National Paints — National Acryl Emulsion I, revision 07/18

Interior paint calculator: measurement diagram. Room walls use perimeter and height; ceiling area uses length and width. Check the opening and ceiling options. — Room walls use perimeter and height; ceiling area uses length and width. Check the opening and ceiling options. View image

Spreading rates the sheets actually print

These are interior emulsion or acrylic wall paints. The rates are per coat unless the sheet says the figure already includes two coats. Theoretical spreading rate falls as the dry film gets thicker. Practical coverage is a different sentence. None of the sheets is averaged into the others.

National Acryl Emulsion I, decorative coatings technical data sheet, revision 07/18, opened 31 October 2026, is an acrylic copolymer for interior concrete, plaster, blocks and gypsum board. It prints a theoretical spreading rate of 10–8 m²/L at a recommended dry film of 40–50 microns per coat. Two coats are the topcoat in its recommended system, after a National PVA primer and stucco filler. An older National Acryl Emulsion I sheet, opened the same day, prints 9.5–7.5 m²/L and volume solids of 38 ± 2% instead of 40 ± 2%. The two sheets disagree, so this guide shows both and does not pick a midpoint. National Matt Emulsion, also revision 07/18, is an acrylic copolymer for interior and exterior masonry and prints 11–9 m²/L at 40–50 microns per coat, again with two finish coats after a primer.

Jotun Fenomastic Pure Colours Emulsion Matt, product code 5422, issued 06.06.2023, is an acrylic copolymer emulsion for interior cement plaster, concrete, blockwork and gypsum board. The theoretical spreading rate is 11.67–6.4 m²/L at 30–55 microns dry film. The sheet says the rate depends on film thickness, texture, porosity, imperfections, temperature and wastage, and that the maximum spread rate is at the minimum dry film. The recommended topcoat is two coats, after Fenomastic Emulsion Primer or PVA primer. Packaging on that sheet is 1 L, 4 L and 18 L, with different packs named for Egypt, Libya and Turkey. Jotun Fenomastic Wonderwall Life, product code 43402, the same issue date, is a pure acrylic interior emulsion. Its theoretical spreading rate is 15–9 m²/L at 30–50 microns dry. The recommended topcoat is two coats, the first diluted to 20%, after Fenomastic Emulsion Primer. Repainting is printed as 2–3 coats. Packs are 1 L, 4 L and 18 L.

Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt, product information 411, issued 08/25, is an acrylic copolymer emulsion for interior walls and ceilings. Practical coverage under normal conditions is up to 17 m² per litre. That is a ceiling, not a guaranteed yield. Pack sizes are 1 L, 2.5 L, 5 L and 10 L. Asian Paints Apcolite Premium Emulsion, Bangladesh product code 0021, version VN01/03/2022, quotes coverage on normal masonry after brushing: 150–170 sq ft per litre for one coat and 75–85 sq ft per litre for two coats. Packs on that sheet are 0.91 L, 3.64 L and 18 L. Berger Silk Glamor Luxury Emulsion, data sheet version BJN/05/2024, is a 100% acrylic interior emulsion. Coverage is printed as approximately 150–170 sq ft per litre for two coats, under ideal test conditions, and the sheet says the figure depends on surface, preparation, skill, weather and dilution. The same sheet prints “Pack of 0.9, 3.6, 9 & 18 L” and, separately, “1 Ltr 4 Ltr 10 Ltr 20 Ltr”. Those two pack lists are not the same, so a 20 L tin is not treated here as a substitute for an 18 L tin.

Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Interior Latex Flat A86, data sheet 101.02A dated 08/2026, is a vinyl acrylic for wallboard, wood, plaster and masonry. Coverage is 350–400 sq ft per gallon at 4 mils wet and 1.4 mils dry. The sheet’s bare-surface systems are a primer plus two coats, or two coats where it says the product can self-prime. Conversions below use 1 sq ft = 0.09290304 m² and 1 US gallon = 3.785411784 L. A displayed conversion that does not terminate is rounded half up to 8 decimal places.

Per coat, then litres per m² for two full coats, before waste, primer or a thinned sealing coat. Berger’s row is already a two-coat figure, so it has no per-coat column. Asian’s two-coat row is the sheet’s own 75–85 sq ft/L, which matches two coats at 150–170 sq ft/L.
Product	What the sheet prints	m² per litre per coat	Litres per m², 2 coats
National Acryl Emulsion I, rev. 07/18	10–8 m²/L theoretical	10–8	0.2–0.25
National Acryl Emulsion I, older sheet	9.5–7.5 m²/L theoretical	9.5–7.5	0.21052632–0.26666667
National Matt Emulsion, rev. 07/18	11–9 m²/L theoretical	11–9	0.18181818–0.22222222
Jotun Fenomastic Pure Colours Emulsion Matt	11.67–6.4 m²/L theoretical	11.67–6.4	0.17137961–0.3125
Jotun Fenomastic Wonderwall Life	15–9 m²/L theoretical	15–9	0.13333333–0.22222222
Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt	up to 17 m²/L practical	up to 17	0.11764706 at 17
Asian Paints Apcolite Premium Emulsion	150–170 sq ft/L per coat	13.935456 at 150; 15.7935168 at 170	0.14351881 at 150; 0.12663424 at 170
Berger Silk Glamor, two coats as printed	150–170 sq ft/L for 2 coats	Not a per-coat rate	0.0717594 at 150; 0.06331712 at 170
Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Interior Flat A86	350–400 sq ft per gallon	8.58983536 at 350; 9.8169547 at 400	0.23283333 at 350; 0.20372917 at 400

The litre formula, and what a new wall adds

Litres = (wall area − openings) × coats ÷ spreading rate. Wall area for a rectangular room is 2 × (length + width) × ceiling height. Subtract only openings you will not paint. Coats multiply the net area. Divide by the spreading rate of the product in your hand, in square metres per litre per coat. Round tins up once, after the whole room, including the ceiling only if that ceiling uses the same product.

The room table uses 8 m²/L and 10 m²/L because those are the two ends printed on National Acryl Emulsion I revision 07/18. Two coats at 8 m²/L are 2 ÷ 8 = 0.25 litres per m². Two coats at 10 m²/L are 2 ÷ 10 = 0.2 litres per m². Jotun’s thick-film end is lower coverage: 2 ÷ 6.4 = 0.3125 litres per m², and 2 ÷ 11.67 = 0.17137961 litres per m² after rounding half up to 8 decimal places. Dulux’s “up to 17” gives 2 ÷ 17 = 0.11764706 litres per m². Using 17 as the planning rate would under-order if the wall is porous. The table does not use it.

Waste is not hiding inside those rates. Jotun says spreading rate depends on wastage during painting. The table leaves waste at 0 so the sheet rate stays visible. An illustrative 10% once, on the 4 × 4 m room only, is 9.9675 × 1.10 = 10.96425 litres. That is still three 4 L tins, and it becomes four 3.6 L tins. Do not add 10% on every row and then again on the order.

Primer and a sealing coat are extra products or an extra step. National’s system is one coat of PVA primer, then two coats of the emulsion. Jotun’s system is one coat of Fenomastic Emulsion Primer, then two coats of the finish. Wonderwall Life says the first finish coat is diluted to 20%. Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt says to seal new or bare surfaces with a thinned first coat, up to 1 part clean water to 5 parts paint, and that the normal finish is then two full coats. On a previously painted surface in good condition, the same sheet says one coat may be sufficient. This page does not convert that thinned coat into a second litre figure, because the sheet does not give it a separate spreading rate. How to estimate interior paint keeps primer off the finish line. The primer calculator is that separate line.

Litres for common rooms

Every row is the same room. Gross walls = 2 × (length + width) × height. One door is 0.90 × 2.10 = 1.89 m². One window is 1.20 × 1.20 = 1.44 m². Openings are 3.33 m² on every row, including the small rooms. Net = gross − 3.33. Litres at 8 m²/L = net × 2 ÷ 8. Litres at 10 m²/L = net × 2 ÷ 10. The 4 L tin count is that litre figure divided by 4 and rounded up. Waste is 0. Reveals, skirtings and a second window are not in the deduction.

A 3 × 3 m room at 2.7 m is 32.4 m² gross and 29.07 m² net, which is 7.2675 litres at 8 m²/L and 5.814 litres at 10 m²/L. A 5 × 6 m room at 3.0 m is 66 m² gross and 62.67 m² net, which is 15.6675 litres at 8 m²/L and 12.534 litres at 10 m²/L. Change the door or the ceiling height and the row changes. Measure the room you are painting.

Walls only, two coats, waste 0. Openings are one 1.89 m² door and one 1.44 m² window. The 8 and 10 m²/L columns are the two ends of National Acryl Emulsion I, revision 07/18. Tin counts use 4 L, the pack printed on Jotun Fenomastic Pure Colours Emulsion Matt and Fenomastic Wonderwall Life.
Room	Height	Gross m²	Net m²	Litres at 8	4 L tins at 8	Litres at 10	4 L tins at 10
3 × 3 m	2.7 m	32.4	29.07	7.2675	2	5.814	2
3 × 4 m	2.7 m	37.8	34.47	8.6175	3	6.894	2
4 × 4 m	2.7 m	43.2	39.87	9.9675	3	7.974	2
4 × 5 m	2.7 m	48.6	45.27	11.3175	3	9.054	3
5 × 5 m	2.7 m	54	50.67	12.6675	4	10.134	3
5 × 6 m	2.7 m	59.4	56.07	14.0175	4	11.214	3
3 × 3 m	3.0 m	36	32.67	8.1675	3	6.534	2
3 × 4 m	3.0 m	42	38.67	9.6675	3	7.734	2
4 × 4 m	3.0 m	48	44.67	11.1675	3	8.934	3
4 × 5 m	3.0 m	54	50.67	12.6675	4	10.134	3
5 × 5 m	3.0 m	60	56.67	14.1675	4	11.334	3
5 × 6 m	3.0 m	66	62.67	15.6675	4	12.534	4

Ceiling litres and which tin to buy

A flat ceiling is length × width, with no door deduction. At 8 m²/L and two coats the 4 × 4 m ceiling is 4 litres. At 10 m²/L it is 3.2 litres. Add the ceiling to the walls only when both surfaces use the same paint. Walls plus ceiling for the 4 × 4 m room at 2.7 m, at 8 m²/L, are 9.9675 + 4 = 13.9675 litres, which is four 4 L tins. The 5 × 6 m room at 3.0 m is 15.6675 + 7.5 = 23.1675 litres, which is six 4 L tins or two 18 L tins.

Jotun’s finish packs on the two Fenomastic sheets are 1 L, 4 L and 18 L. Berger Silk Glamor prints 3.6 L among 0.9, 3.6, 9 and 18 L, and also prints 4 L and 20 L on a second list on the same sheet. Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt prints 2.5 L, 5 L and 10 L, not 4 L. Asian Paints Bangladesh prints 0.91 L, 3.64 L and 18 L. Buy the pack the supplier is holding. The 4 L column is the Jotun size applied to the National rate, not a claim that National sells a 4 L tin. A 20 L tin is not used for the order count because the Berger sheet does not agree with itself on that size.

Ceiling only, two coats, waste 0, same 8 and 10 m²/L ends. Tin counts are 4 L tins rounded up.
Room	Ceiling m²	Litres at 8	4 L tins at 8	Litres at 10	4 L tins at 10
3 × 3 m	9	2.25	1	1.8	1
3 × 4 m	12	3	1	2.4	1
4 × 4 m	16	4	1	3.2	1
4 × 5 m	20	5	2	4	1
5 × 5 m	25	6.25	2	5	2
5 × 6 m	30	7.5	2	6	2

The calculators round to US gallons

The interior, wall and ceiling calculators report whole US gallons. In metric mode the coverage field is square metres per US gallon, not square metres per litre. National’s 8 m²/L × 3.785411784 L per US gallon = 30.283294272 m² per US gallon. The 4 × 4 m room link above enters that coverage, height 2.7 m, one door of 1.89 m² and one window of 1.44 m². The net wall displays as 39.87 m² and the purchase rounds up to 3 US gallons. Three US gallons are 3 × 3.785411784 = 11.356235352 litres, which is more than 9.9675 litres and less than three 4 L tins.

The ceiling link, with waste set to 0, is 16 m² and two coats. The litre quantity at 8 m²/L is exactly 4 litres, about 1.056688 US gallons, and the calculator rounds that up to 2 US gallons. The wall paint calculator does not deduct openings. A single wall the length of the 16 m perimeter, at 2.7 m, waste 0 and the same coverage, is the gross 43.2 m² and still rounds to 3 US gallons. Keep the litre table when the tin is 4 L or 18 L. Use the calculator when the purchase unit is a US gallon. Exterior paint by house size is that gallon method for outside walls, not this room.

Do it in order

Read the spreading rate on the technical data sheet for the emulsion you will buy, and note whether it is per coat or already for two coats.
Measure length, width and ceiling height. Subtract the openings you will not paint. Keep the ceiling as its own area.
Multiply the net area by the number of finish coats and divide by the spreading rate in m² per litre.
Add primer, or Dulux’s thinned sealing coat on bare plaster, as a separate line. Apply any waste once, then round up to the tin size on the shelf.

Planning boundary

This is a quantity from published spreading rates and from stated room assumptions. It does not choose a paint, a colour, a film thickness or a surface preparation. Confirm the can in your hand, and treat primer as its own product.

Sources checked

Each link supports the point named in the text. A citation is not a product endorsement or a price for your site.

How many litres of paint per m²?

On National Acryl Emulsion I, revision 07/18, the theoretical spreading rate is 10–8 m² per litre per coat, so two coats are 0.2–0.25 litres per m² before waste. Other sheets opened the same day run from 6.4 m²/L (0.3125 litres per m² for two coats) to a practical figure of up to 17 m²/L (0.11764706 litres per m² for two coats). Use the rate on your can.

How many litres of paint for a 4x4 room?

At 2.7 m, with one 1.89 m² door and one 1.44 m² window, the net wall is 39.87 m². Two coats are 9.9675 litres at 8 m²/L or 7.974 litres at 10 m²/L, before waste. That is three 4 L tins at the 8 m²/L end. The ceiling is a further 4 litres at 8 m²/L. At 3.0 m the same room’s walls are 11.1675 litres at 8 m²/L.

How many litres of paint for a 3x4 room?

At 2.7 m, with the same 3.33 m² of openings, the net wall is 34.47 m². Two coats are 8.6175 litres at 8 m²/L, three 4 L tins, or 6.894 litres at 10 m²/L, two 4 L tins. At 3.0 m the net wall is 38.67 m² and the 8 m²/L quantity is 9.6675 litres.

How many litres of paint for a 5x5 room?

At 2.7 m the net wall is 50.67 m², which is 12.6675 litres at 8 m²/L and 10.134 litres at 10 m²/L. At 3.0 m the net wall is 56.67 m², which is 14.1675 litres at 8 m²/L and 11.334 litres at 10 m²/L. The ceiling is 25 m², 6.25 litres at 8 m²/L for two coats. Openings in every row are one door and one window.

How many litres of paint for new plaster, including primer?

The 0.2–0.25 litres per m² figure is two finish coats only. National Acryl Emulsion I specifies a primer coat before those two coats. Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt specifies a thinned sealing coat on new or bare surfaces, up to 1 part water to 5 parts paint, and then two full coats. Jotun specifies Fenomastic Emulsion Primer, one coat, then two finish coats. Those coats are not added into the table.