Quick estimate mode — for room dimensions, multiple ceilings, cost and shopping list:
Full calculator →
Quick Ceiling Paint Calculator
Enter your ceiling area and get litres and tins to buy — in seconds.
Your Ceiling
Length × width for each ceiling. Add rooms together.
Most ceilings need 2 coats for even coverage.
Check your paint tin — usually 8–12 m²/L.
Match the tin size you plan to buy.
Result
Tins to buy
–
tins
Always buy one extra tin — leftover paint is useful for touch-ups.
Need more detail?
Enter room dimensions, add multiple ceilings, calculate cost per tin and get a full shopping list.
How to calculate how much ceiling paint you need
The formula
Litres needed = (Ceiling area × coats) ÷ coverage rate
Tins needed = ⌈Litres ÷ tin size⌉ — always round up.
How do I measure ceiling area?
Measure the room: length × width. For an L-shaped room, split it into two rectangles and add them together.
How many coats does a ceiling need?
1 coat — same colour touch-up. 2 coats — standard for most ceilings. 3 coats — new plaster, stained ceiling or going from a dark colour to white.
What coverage rate should I use?
Standard ceiling paint covers around 10 m²/L. Textured or artex ceilings absorb more — use 8 m²/L. Check the tin label for the exact figure.
Pro tip: Ceiling paint is usually flat/matt finish to hide imperfections. Don't use wall paint on ceilings — it has a slight sheen that picks up light and shows every bump.