One of the most annoying problems when you paint a room is figuring out just how much paint the job calls for. You don’t want to have to run to the store for more paint, but you also don’t want to have a bunch of paint leftover, that you may not be able to return. Getting the right wall measurement for painting makes all the difference. Here is a basic guide for how to measure a room for paint.
The Tools
To make good measurements, you need the right tools. Minimally, you will need a tape measure and something for taking notes. We recommend a pencil and notepad, but more digitally inclined folks might prefer to use their phone. For larger rooms, we also encourage homeowners to consider purchasing a laser tape measure. The accuracy is better, especially across long distances. Likewise, laser tape measures can reach distances that traditional models cannot.
Taking the Measurements of the Walls
Foremost, you need to identify which walls you intend to paint. Once you have figured which walls will be painted for the project, use your tape measure to find the length and height of each wall. Do this for each wall if painting multiple walls or a whole room.
Spaces that have alcoves or recessed areas along the wall, can throw your measurements off if you just assume the space is a flat rectangle. This is the main reason taking detailed notes on the measurements and layout of the room or space is essential. You may have to account for areas where the wall configuration has these recessed areas including windows and doors.
Once you have all the measurements for all of the wall surfaces, you can tally your calculations. For each wall, multiply the length of the wall times its height. You can then sum the result of this figure for all of the walls you intend to paint. For some more complex walls, the math gets a little more involved, but you can usually produce an estimated figure. When in doubt, always overestimate your needs. It is better to have an extra can of matching paint sitting around than to have to run to a store on a Saturday to buy another.
Note one small tip. Even if you think the room is perfectly square, measure all of the walls using the correct method. Likewise, measure the walls individually. Houses settle, making walls a smidge different. Also, the room may have never been perfectly square to begin with, so keep that in mind.
Measuring the Ceiling
If you want to measure the ceiling, you can usually perform the measurements at floor level. There is no need to get a ladder to directly do the measurements, since the floor and ceiling usually have similar 2-D shapes. The one exception would be if the room has an unusual ceiling, such as vaulted or some unusually shaped dormers.
Measure Doors and Windows
You also need to measure each door and window. In most cases, folks painting the walls just need to subtract this amount from the overall figure. However, you might paint the doors and windows, so they could add to the number. The standard-sized door approximately measures three feet x six feet 8 inches for either purpose.
Note the Measurements
With your notepad or phone, you should develop a sketch of the room. It’s best to draw a top-down view or layout of the room. Then mark the dimensions for each wall and subtract areas for doors and windows. For the final calculations use the Paint Calculator to check the math.
Avoid common mistakes. For example, many people may underestimate wall areas, leaving them with too little paint. Make sure you include trim and baseboard in your estimates. Make note of room and ceiling variations, too. With the proper room measurements to estimate paint coverage, you can ensure enough coverage while also minimizing waste.