PAINT CALCULATOR
How many coats of paint do I need?
Coats depend on color shift, surface, paint quality, and whether you primed. Most jobs need two — the universal default. Some need three. Almost none need just one. Answer the four questions below for a recommendation.
The decision rubric
- Always two coats is the right starting answer for any color change on a sound surface.
- Three coats when going dark over light, light over dark, or applying any saturated color.
- One coat only for same-color refresh with a paint-and-primer-in-one product on a clean surface.
- Tinted primer can drop a three-coat job to two coats for deep color changes.
Why budget paint needs more coats
Cheaper paints have lower binder and pigment content, so each coat covers less. The "save by buying budget paint" math usually doesn't work — you spend the savings on the third coat. Premium paint at one or two coats often beats budget paint at three on total cost and time.
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