How Much Paint for a Bathroom?
A typical bathroom: 2 gallons for two coats. Often less than you would guess.
A typical 8x10 bathroom needs 2 gallons of paint for two coats on the walls. The exact requirement is only 1.4 gallons, so you buy 2 — but if you are painting a small bathroom and want to save money, a single gallon plus a quart will often do it.
Estimates only. Textured walls, high ceilings, sprayers and major colour changes can all increase the amount you need. Always buy slightly more than the calculation suggests.
Paint needed by bathroom size
| Room / surface | Surface | Coats | Paint | Paint cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small half-bath, 5x8 | 187 sq ft | 2 | 2 gal | $70 |
| Standard bathroom, 8x10 | 252 sq ft | 2 | 2 gal | $70 |
| Large bathroom, 10x12 | 301 sq ft | 2 | 2 gal | $70 |
| Standard bathroom with ceiling | 332 sq ft | 2 | 2 gal | $70 |
| Large bathroom with ceiling | 421 sq ft | 2 | 3 gal | $105 |
Two coats at 350 sq ft per gallon. Bathrooms have few windows, which is why the area stays low.
Why bathrooms need less paint than you think
Two things shrink the paintable area in a bathroom: few windows, and tile. In a typical 8x10 bathroom, the area around the tub or shower is tiled, and often the wall behind the vanity is too.
The calculator subtracts doors and windows, but it does not know about tile. If a significant part of your wall is tiled, measure the actual paintable wall area and use the surface area mode instead — otherwise you will overbuy by a gallon.
Which finish to use in a bathroom
This matters more in a bathroom than in any other room, because of moisture.
- Satin or eggshell — the standard choice. Washable, and resistant enough to occasional steam.
- Semi-gloss — maximum moisture resistance and the easiest to wipe, but it highlights every imperfection in the wall. Common on trim and doors.
- Flat or matte — avoid in bathrooms. It traps moisture and marks easily.
Whatever you choose, make sure the room is properly ventilated during and after painting. Paint that cures in a damp room can stay soft and tacky, and it will fail earlier.
The primer question in bathrooms
Bathrooms are the room where primer earns its place most often. Patch jobs around fixtures, water stains near the shower, and previously unpainted drywall all need a stain-blocking or sealing primer before topcoat.
If you have water stains, a standard primer will not hold them back — you need a shellac or oil-based stain blocker. Without it, the stain will bleed through the new paint within weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1 gallon enough for a bathroom?
Usually, yes. A standard 8x10 bathroom needs about 1.4 gallons for two coats, which is 1 gallon plus a quart. If much of the wall is tiled, a single gallon will often be enough.
What finish should I use in a bathroom?
Satin or eggshell. Both resist moisture and can be wiped clean. Avoid flat finishes, which trap moisture and mark easily.
Do I need to paint the bathroom ceiling?
Not necessarily, but bathroom ceilings suffer most from moisture and mildew. If you paint it, use a dedicated bathroom ceiling paint with mildew resistance and add about a gallon for a standard bathroom.
How long should bathroom paint dry before using the shower?
Wait at least 24 hours, and preferably 48 to 72, before heavy steam exposure. Latex paint needs about 30 days to fully cure.