Paint drying time calculator
Three states matter: dry to touch (no smear), recoat (safe for the next coat), and full cure (paint is hard, scrub-resistant, ready for furniture against it). Temperature and humidity move all three numbers significantly.
Why temperature and humidity matter
Latex paints dry by water evaporation. Cold air holds less water vapor and slows the process; high humidity slows it because the air is already loaded. Below 50°F, most latex paint won't form a proper film at all. Above 90°F, it dries too fast and skins over before the underlayer cures.
Don't trust "dry to touch"
Paint can feel dry on the surface in 30–60 minutes and still be soft underneath for hours. Always wait the full recoat time before adding the next coat — touching too early reactivates the underlayer and you'll get streaks.
Cure time vs. dry time
Latex paint can take 14–30 days to fully cure. During that window, the film is soft enough that pressing a piece of furniture or a piece of tape against it can leave marks. Don't re-hang heavy art on a fresh wall for two weeks; don't return cabinets to their hinges without testing for hardness.