Paint Calculator for Cabinets

Cabinets need far more paint than walls: the surface is broken up by doors, drawers and frames, and cabinet enamel usually takes two or three coats. Measure your run of cabinets, enter the dimensions, and this calculator estimates the gallons of enamel you need — before you commit to a colour you cannot return.

Room length (ft)Room width (ft)Wall height (ft)8 ft is standardNumber of coatsDoors21 sq ft deducted per doorWindows15 sq ft deducted per windowCoverage per gallon (sq ft)350 is typical — check the canPrice per gallon ($)Optional — for the cost estimateInclude ceilingNoAdds the floor area to the walls

Area to paint

301 sq ft

Gallons needed

2 gal

Quarts needed

7 qt

Estimated paint cost: $90.00 (2 gallons at $45.00 each)

Disclaimer: This tool is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice.

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How to use this paint calculator

Enter the room length, width and wall height.
Set the number of coats — 2 is typical for a colour change.
Enter how many doors and windows the room has.
Tick 'include ceiling' if you are painting the ceiling too.
Adjust the coverage rate if your paint can states a different figure.
Read the gallons needed, quarts needed and the estimated cost.

Frequently asked questions

How much paint do kitchen cabinets need?

A typical 10×10 kitchen has roughly 200–250 sq ft of cabinet surface once doors, drawers and face frames are counted. At two or three coats of enamel covering about 100 sq ft per gallon on smooth factory finishes, most kitchens need 4–8 gallons total.

Can I use regular wall paint on cabinets?

No. Cabinet enamel or a bonding primer is required — wall paint stays tacky and chips off doors and drawers within months. Budget for a dedicated bonding primer plus two coats of enamel.

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