1,500 sq ft vinyl siding repaint
Vinyl siding · satin paint · standard quality · 2 coats · 15% waste
- Paint
- 11 gal
- Buy
- 2 × 5-gal + 1 × 1-gal
- Primer
- None
Smooth vinyl keeps coverage high, so the order stays mostly in 5-gallon buckets.
How Much Exterior Paint Do You Need?
Estimate exterior paint gallons, 5-gallon buckets, primer, and optional cost for siding, trim, doors, and textured surfaces.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Project Details
Start with area, surface, and condition. Fine-tuning stays tucked away.
sq ft
Include siding, trim, doors, and other paintable exterior surfaces.
Absorbs more — use 8% less coverage
Good condition, same or similar color
Using satin, standard paint, 2 coats, and 15% waste unless you open Advanced settings.
Paint Order Summary
Paint Needed
16 gallons
7.8 gal/coat × 2 coats + 15% waste
Paintable area
2000 sq ft
Adjusted coverage
294 sq ft/gal
This is the amount to buy for the whole exterior job, not per wall.
Shopping List
Paint3 × 5-gallon bucket
Paint1 × 1-gallon can
No full primer coat added for this surface condition.
Assumes Satin standard paint on wood siding with 15% waste.
Worked Examples
2,000 sq ft stucco exterior
Stucco · satin paint · standard quality · 2 coats · 15% waste
- Paint
- 18 gal
- Buy
- 3 × 5-gal + 3 × 1-gal
- Primer
- None
The same area needs more paint on stucco because texture lowers coverage per gallon.
Bare wood siding with primer
1,600 sq ft wood siding · bare surface · satin paint · 2 coats
- Paint
- 13 gal
- Primer
- 7 gal
- Buy
- Paint 2 × 5-gal + 3 × 1-gal
Bare wood adds a separate primer order before the paint coats.
How We Calculate
Gallons = (Area × (1 + Waste%)) ÷ Adjusted Coverage × Coats
Adjusted coverage starts with the finish coverage, then applies the surface multiplier and paint quality multiplier. Primer uses a separate 300 sq ft per gallon planning rate when the selected surface condition needs it.
Exterior Paint Coverage Guide
| Finish | Planning Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Flat / Matte | 350 sq ft/gal | Large siding fields and older surfaces |
| Satin | 320 sq ft/gal | Most exterior siding projects |
| Semi-gloss | 300 sq ft/gal | Trim, doors, and washable accents |
Surface Coverage Guide
Vinyl sidingFull coverage
Smooth surface; usually the easiest repaint.
Wood sidingAbout 8% more paint
Wood absorbs more, especially when dry or weathered.
StuccoAbout 20% more paint
Texture creates more surface area and roller loss.
BrickAbout 25% more paint
Porous masonry usually needs the most paint.
When Primer Is Needed
Previously painted, similar colorUsually no primer
Clean and sound paint can normally be recoated.
Bare wood, bare metal, or patched areasAdd primer
Primer improves adhesion and evens absorption.
Dark-to-light color changeConsider primer
Primer can reduce extra finish coats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Measure the paintable siding, trim, doors, and other exterior surfaces, then divide by the adjusted coverage per gallon. For many repaints, 1 gallon covers about 250-350 sq ft per coat before surface texture, paint quality, and waste are applied.
Most exterior paints cover about 300-350 sq ft per gallon on smooth surfaces. Stucco, brick, weathered wood, and lower-grade paint can reduce that coverage, so this calculator adjusts the gallon count by surface type and paint quality.
Use primer for bare wood, bare metal, patched areas, chalky surfaces, or major color changes. A previously painted surface in good condition and a similar color often does not need a full primer coat.
Use 5-gallon buckets for the bulk of the order, then add 1-gallon cans to cover the remainder. The shopping list does that split for you so the estimate is closer to what you would actually buy.
Material cost depends on paint quality, primer, and the number of gallons. Professional labor is usually estimated separately per square foot, so cost is optional here and stays hidden until you turn it on.
Two coats are the safer planning default for most exterior repaints because they improve color consistency and durability. One coat may work for a same-color refresh on paint that is still in good condition.