Page 3 of the Paint And Primer archive. Return to page one for the full tag description.
For a causes-and-fixes approach, put every measurement in one unit, use the real product coverage or yield, add the correct waste allowance, and round only at the purchase step. The goal is to confirm the next decision.
For this “what to check first” angle, put every measurement in one unit, use the real product coverage or yield, add the correct waste allowance, and round only at the purchase step. The goal is to confirm the next decision.
Divide the paintable square footage by the primer’s listed coverage per gallon, then round up. New drywall, porous masonry and dramatic color changes can absorb more primer than a previously sealed wall.
For a typical 12×12 room with an 8-foot ceiling, the four walls total 384 square feet before subtracting doors and windows. One gallon often covers roughly 350–400 square feet for one coat, so two coats commonly require.