Auto Paint Calculator
Calculate how much automotive paint you need based on car size and number of coats.
Get accurate estimates in quarts or liters.
Car paint coverage calculation ensures you buy the right amount of paint for a complete, professional-quality finish — whether for spot repair, panel repainting, or a full-car respray.
Coverage Formula:
Paint Needed (oz) = Total Surface Area (sq ft) / Coverage Rate (sq ft/oz) × Number of Coats
Vehicle surface area benchmarks:
- Compact car (e.g., Honda Civic): ~175–200 sq ft
- Mid-size sedan (e.g., Camry): ~200–230 sq ft
- Full-size truck (e.g., F-150): ~260–300 sq ft
- SUV/Minivan: ~240–280 sq ft
Coverage rates by paint type (per wet coat):
| Paint Type | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Single-stage urethane | 10–12 sq ft/oz |
| Base coat | 12–15 sq ft/oz |
| Clear coat | 10–12 sq ft/oz |
Standard coat counts:
- Base coat: 2–3 coats
- Clear coat: 2–3 coats
- Primer (if repainting bare metal): 2–3 coats
Worked example — full repaint of a mid-size sedan: Surface area: 215 sq ft Base coat: 215 / 12 sq ft/oz × 2 coats = 35.8 oz (~1 quart) Clear coat: 215 / 10 sq ft/oz × 2 coats = 43 oz (~1.5 quarts) Add 15–20% overage for spray waste and touch-ups.
Tips for accurate measurement:
- Multiply the square footage of each panel individually and sum them
- Doors, hood, roof, trunk lid, and quarter panels are the main areas
- Deep, dark colors (black, dark red) often require an extra base coat for uniform coverage
- Metallic and pearl finishes require careful flash time between coats — rushing causes mottling
How we build and check this calculator
This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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