Free Paint Cost Calculator: Get Accurate Estimates for Paint, Primer & Supplies

📊 Data sourced from publicly available industry standards. See our methodology page for formulas, sources, and limitations.

Planning a painting project can be frustrating when online calculators only work for one brand—or worse, push you toward expensive products you don’t need. Home Depot and Lowe’s calculators require you to select a specific brand before you see a price, and independent sites often show misleading ads or omit essential supplies like primer, painter’s tape, and rollers.

Our paint cost calculator gives you a complete, unbiased estimate. We include:

• Paint costs from major brands (Behr, Sherwin-Williams, PPG, Valspar) and budget options
• Primer (oil-based or water-based) based on your wall condition
• Supplies: rollers, brushes, painter’s tape, drop cloths, and trays
• Labor (if you’re hiring a pro) based on local rates

No brand lock-in, no ads, no guesswork. Just a clear, itemized breakdown you can take to the store.

According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to paint a 12x12 room ranges from $380 to $790 for DIY, and $800 to $2,500 for professional labor. But those numbers vary wildly based on paint quality, wall texture, and whether you need primer.

Here’s a realistic breakdown for a 10x12 bedroom with 8-foot ceilings:

• Paint (2 gallons premium): $60–$100
• Primer (1 gallon): $20–$40
• Rollers & brush set: $15–$30
• Painter’s tape (2 rolls): $10–$15
• Drop cloths & tray: $10–$20
• Total (DIY): $115–$205

Our paint cost calculator adjusts these numbers based on your room dimensions, number of coats, and brand preference—so you’ll never overpay or run out of supplies mid-project.

Using this tool takes less than 2 minutes. Here's what you do:

First, enter your room dimensions — just the length, width, and height. Or if you already know the total square footage of your walls and ceiling, throw that in instead.

Then pick how many coats you need. Going for a color change? Usually 2 coats. Sticking with the same color? 1 coat is fine.

Choose your paint brand — or just let us suggest the best option for your budget.

Toggle "Include Primer" if you're covering up dark walls, new drywall, or any stains.

Add supplies like tape, rollers, and drop cloths — or skip that if you've already got them.

Get your instant estimate with a PDF you can download, email, or print.

One pro tip: always buy 10% extra paint for touch-ups. Don't worry — our calculator already adds that buffer so you won't run short.

We break down every cost so you know exactly where your money goes. Here’s what you’ll see in your report:

• Paint cost: Per gallon price for your chosen brand, with a 10% waste buffer.
• Primer cost: Separate line item, with the option to skip if not needed.
• Supplies: Itemized list of rollers, brushes, tape, drop cloths, and trays with current retail prices.
• Labor (optional): Based on your ZIP code and average painter rates ($2–$6 per sq ft).
• Total cost: DIY vs. professional side-by-side comparison.

Unlike other calculators that hide fees or force you to buy their brand, we give you a transparent, vendor-neutral estimate you can trust.

We’ve heard from thousands of users who were tired of calculators that only served the big box stores. Here’s what makes ours stand out:

• No account required – Start calculating instantly.
• Brand-agnostic – Compare prices across Behr, Sherwin-Williams, PPG, Valspar, and more.
• Updated pricing – We refresh paint and supply costs monthly based on major retailer data.
• Mobile-friendly – Works perfectly on your phone at the store.
• No ads – We don’t clutter your screen with misleading banners.

Whether you’re painting one room or an entire house, our paint cost calculator saves you time, money, and frustration.