CoatMath
By room · Updated

How much paint for a bathroom?

Usually 1 gallon or less. Small baths can be a quart or two.

A small 5 × 8 ft bathroom with 8 ft walls, one door and one window has 173 sq ft of wall and needs 0.99 gallon for two coats: 1 gallon.

Bathroom paint by size (walls, two coats)

Bathroom paint
BathroomWall sq ftGallonsBuy thisCost
Powder room (5 × 5)1250.711 gallon$45
Small (5 × 8)1730.991 gallon$45
Medium (8 × 8)2211.261 gallon + 2 quarts$85
Large (8 × 10)2531.451 gallon + 2 quarts$85

Each assumes 8 ft walls, one door (20 sq ft) and one window (15 sq ft), 350 sq ft per gallon. Tile, a tub surround or a tall vanity mirror takes area off the paintable wall: measure them and subtract.

Bathroom paint tips

  • Use a paint made for humid rooms and check its coverage on the label.
  • Check for mildew and use a stain-blocking or mildew-resistant primer if needed.
  • Small jobs often come out cheaper as a gallon than as several quarts at typical prices. The calculator checks.

Estimates only. Check your paint can’s label for coverage. Prices are typical 2026 US figures; use your store’s.

FAQ

How much paint for a small bathroom?

A 5 × 8 ft bathroom with 8 ft walls needs about 0.99 gallon for two coats, which is one gallon.

Can I paint a bathroom with a quart?

Only a very small powder room. Check the calculator: quarts cost more per gallon, so one gallon is often the better buy.

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