Estimate by house size and stories
| Floor area | 1 story: sq ft | Gallons | Buy this | 2 stories: sq ft | Gallons | Buy this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 1,075 | 6.14 | 1 five-gallon bucket + 1 gallon + 1 quart | 1,599 | 9.14 | 2 five-gallon buckets |
| 1,500 sq ft | 1,359 | 7.77 | 1 five-gallon bucket + 3 gallons | 2,001 | 11.43 | 2 five-gallon buckets + 1 gallon + 2 quarts |
| 2,000 sq ft | 1,599 | 9.14 | 2 five-gallon buckets | 2,340 | 13.37 | 2 five-gallon buckets + 3 gallons + 2 quarts |
| 2,500 sq ft | 1,810 | 10.34 | 2 five-gallon buckets + 2 quarts | 2,638 | 15.08 | 3 five-gallon buckets + 1 quart |
| 3,000 sq ft | 2,001 | 11.43 | 2 five-gallon buckets + 1 gallon + 2 quarts | 2,908 | 16.62 | 3 five-gallon buckets + 2 gallons |
Assumptions for this table (all editable in the exterior calculator): a square footprint, 10 ft of wall per story, no gables, 2 doors (20 sq ft each) and 10 windows (15 sq ft each) subtracted, two coats of smooth siding at 350 sq ft per gallon. Your house shape, gables and siding change the answer.
Worked example with gables
| Step | Math | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Walls | 2 × (40 + 30) × 10 | 1,400 sq ft |
| Gables | 2 × ½ × 30 × 8 | + 240 |
| Openings | 2 × 20 + 10 × 15 | − 190 |
| Paintable | 1,450 sq ft | |
| Gallons (2 coats) | 1,450 × 2 ÷ 350 | 8.29 |
| Buy this | cheapest cans | 1 five-gallon bucket + 3 gallons + 2 quarts = $375 |
Siding changes coverage
Planning coverage: smooth 350, wood clapboard 300, rough cedar 250, stucco or brick 200 sq ft per gallon. PaintCare notes rough textures can need up to 50 percent more paint.
Estimates only. Check your paint can’s label for coverage. Prices are typical 2026 US figures; use your store’s.