The short answer
A 12 × 8 ft accent wall is 96 sq ft. Two coats at 350 sq ft per gallon need 0.55 gallon, so buy 1 gallon, about $45. At the default prices a gallon is cheaper than the three quarts you would need ($60).
Accent wall tips
- Measure the width of the wall and the floor-to-ceiling height. Subtract any window or door on that wall.
- A dark accent over a light wall may need a primer or an extra coat: see the primer calculator.
- One gallon is usually the answer for a single wall, with plenty left for touch-ups.
FAQ
How much paint do I need for an accent wall?
A typical 12 × 8 ft wall is 96 sq ft. Two coats at 350 sq ft per gallon is about 0.55 gallon, so buy a gallon (or two quarts if your store sells a color you want in quarts).
How do I calculate paint for one wall?
Multiply width by height, subtract windows and doors, multiply by coats and divide by coverage per gallon.
Can I add several walls?
Yes. Use Add another wall. Each wall has its own doors and windows.
More CoatMath tools
Paint calculatorRooms, doors, windows, coats: how much paint, and exactly which cans to buy. Ceiling, primer and trim too.Open →Ceiling paint calculatorFlat or vaulted ceilings by length and width or square feet. Gallons and the cans to buy.Open →Exterior house paint calculatorHouse size, stories, gables, doors and windows, siding type: gallons and 5-gallon buckets.Open →Square footage calculatorRectangles, L-shapes, circles and triangles, added or subtracted. Sq ft, sq yd and m².Open →Primer calculatorArea, surface and coats: gallons of primer and the cans to buy.Open →Paint cost estimatorDIY paint and supplies cost, optionally against a pro quote.Open →