What Paint Coverage Should I Expect?

Coverage by Paint Type

• Matt emulsion: 12–14m²/L
• Silk emulsion: 13–15m²/L
• Gloss (solvent-based): 16–18m²/L
• Satinwood: 14–16m²/L
• Undercoat: 12–14m²/L
• Masonry paint: 6–8m²/L (first coat), 8–10m²/L (subsequent)
• Primer: 10–12m²/L
• Floor paint: 8–12m²/L
• Ceiling paint: 12–14m²/L

Factors That Reduce Coverage

• Porous surfaces: New plaster, bare brick, or unpainted render absorb more paint
• Dark to light colour changes: May need 3+ coats
• Textured surfaces: Woodchip, Artex, or rough render use 20–30% more
• Roller vs brush: Rollers use slightly more paint but cover faster
• Cheap paints: Lower pigment concentration means poorer coverage

Practical Example

A standard 4m × 3m room with 2.4m ceilings has ~33.6m² of wall area (before deducting doors/windows). At 13m²/L for matt emulsion:

• Per coat: 33.6 / 13 = 2.6L
• Two coats: 2.6 × 2 = 5.2L
• A 5L tin should suffice for 2 coats on this room

Tips for Best Coverage

Always use a mist coat (paint diluted 10–20% with water) on new plaster. Stir paint thoroughly before use. Buy all tins from the same batch for colour consistency. Use the correct roller sleeve — short pile for smooth walls, medium pile for lightly textured surfaces.