1. What is the Lowe's Paint Calculator?

The Lowe's Paint Calculator estimates the amount of paint needed to cover a given area based on standard coverage rates. It helps homeowners and professionals plan their painting projects more accurately.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard paint calculation formula:

Where:

• \( total\_sqft \) — Total area to be painted in square feet
• 400 — Standard coverage of 1 gallon of paint (in square feet)

Explanation: This formula assumes one gallon of paint covers approximately 400 square feet of surface area.

3. Importance of Paint Calculation

Details: Accurate paint estimation helps avoid purchasing too much or too little paint, saving time and money on painting projects.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure your walls carefully and enter the total square footage. For multiple coats, multiply the result by the number of coats needed.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is 400 sqft/gallon always accurate?
A: Coverage may vary based on surface texture, paint type, and application method. Rough surfaces may require more paint.

Q2: Should I include doors and windows in my calculation?
A: You can subtract about 20 sqft per standard door and 15 sqft per standard window from your total wall area.

Q3: How much extra paint should I buy?
A: It's recommended to buy 10-20% extra paint for touch-ups and to account for any calculation errors.

Q4: Does this work for all paint types?
A: The calculator works for most interior and exterior paints. Specialty paints may have different coverage rates.

Q5: How do I calculate for multiple rooms?
A: Calculate each room separately and sum the results, or enter the combined square footage of all areas to be painted.