How much does 1 litre of acrylic paint cover?

One litre of artist-grade acrylic paint typically covers around 8 square metres per coat on a primed surface. This varies depending on the brand, consistency, colour opacity and how thickly you apply it. Heavy body acrylics cover less area than fluid acrylics.

How many coats of paint do I need on canvas?

Most paintings require 2-3 coats for good coverage and colour depth. Transparent or light colours over dark grounds may need more coats. If your canvas is properly primed with gesso, you can often achieve good results with 2 coats.

Does oil paint cover more or less area than acrylic?

Oil paint generally covers less area per litre than acrylic — around 6 m² per litre compared to 8 m² for acrylic. Oil paint is typically applied more thickly and has a different pigment-to-binder ratio. However, coverage varies significantly between brands and pigments.

Should I add wastage to my paint estimate?

Yes, adding 10% wastage is recommended. Paint is lost to mixing, palette residue, test swatches and the inevitable paint that dries before you can use it. For beginners or complex techniques, consider adding 15-20% wastage.

ArtCalcs

Paint Coverage Calculator — How Much Paint Do I Need?

Calculate the amount of paint needed for your canvas, panel or surface based on area, paint type and number of coats.

Surface Width

Width of the painting surface

Surface Height

Height of the painting surface

Number of Coats

Total coats

Paint TypeSelect a paint type or enter custom coverage rate

Add 10% wastage

Recommended for palette waste and mixing losses

Price per Litre (optional)

Enter your paint price for a cost estimate

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates paint quantities using the formula:

Paint needed (litres) = (Surface area × Number of coats) / Coverage rate per litre

Coverage rates used

Acrylic paint: 8 m² per litre
Oil paint: 6 m² per litre
Emulsion / wall paint: 12 m² per litre
Spray paint: 4 m² per litre

Surface area is calculated from width × height in centimetres, converted to square metres. When wastage is enabled, 10% is added to account for mixing losses and palette waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.