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myRoom Painting Cost Calculator
- A full breakdown of the costs to paint a room and what's involved.
- A handy calculator to help you budget for your room size(s)
- How to find a local painter and decorator on MyJobQuote.
Want to know how much it will cost to paint your room? Our room painting cost calculator gives you an instant estimate based on your room size, paint choice and location, so you can plan your budget before you book a decorator.
Rather than relying on rough averages, this tool lets you plug in your own measurements and preferences to see how the cost changes. It is the quickest way to get a personalised guide price for room painting without having to do the maths yourself.
There is no single price for painting a room, labour, materials and room size all affect what you will pay. By entering a few details into the calculator, you will get a clear ballpark cost that you can then compare against real quotes from local painters.
If you would like a full breakdown of average prices, timings and what affects the cost to paint a room, see our complete room painting cost guide.
Table of Contents
Room Painting Cost Calculator
How to Use the Room Painting Cost Calculator
- Measure your room and enter the dimensions. Add the length, width and ceiling height in metres so the calculator can work out the total wall and ceiling area.
- Pick your paint type. Choose the finish (for example matte, satin or gloss) and how many coats you plan to apply so the estimate reflects the extra paint and labour needed.
- Choose the level of preparation required. If the walls are ready to paint the costs will be significantly cheaper than if they need stripping or plastering.
- Add your location to reflect local labour rates. Painting and decorating prices vary across the UK, so entering where you live helps to give a more accurate guide price.
- Click to calculate your room painting cost. You will see an instant estimate that breaks down typical labour and material costs for your project, which you can use to plan your budget.
- Use the result as a starting point when getting quotes from local painters and decorators. The final price may change if your walls need extra preparation, you choose premium paints or you add more rooms, so compare a few written quotes before you go ahead.
How to Measure Your Room for Painting
To get the most accurate result from the Room Painting Cost Calculator, you need precise measurements. Guessing the size of your room can lead to over-ordering paint or receiving an inaccurate budget estimate.
Here is a quick guide on how to measure your room in three simple steps.
Step 1: Measure the Floor Area (Length & Width)
Use a tape measure to find the length and width of the floor.
- Length: Measure the longest wall in the room.
- Width: Measure the shortest wall in the room.
Note: If you are painting the ceiling, these dimensions will calculate the ceiling area automatically (Length × Width).
Step 2: Measure the Wall Height
- Measure from the floor to the corner where the wall meets the ceiling.
- Standard UK Ceiling: Approx 2.4m
- High Ceilings (Victorian/Georgian): 2.7m – 3m+
- Input these three figures (Length, Width, Height) into the calculator above to get your estimate.
Note: Calculating Wall Area Manually
If you are calculating the paintable area manually to buy paint tins, you need to calculate the total surface area and subtract obstacles such as windows (1.5m² for a standard window and 3m² for a bay window) and doors (2m²).
How We Calculate Your Estimate
Our calculator uses current UK market averages to build your estimate. Here is the logic behind the figures you see:
- Room Area Logic — We calculate the total surface area based on your length, width, and height, automatically deducting standard allowances for one door (2m²) and one window (1.5m²).
- Labour Rates — The tool assumes a professional painter covers approximately 40m² of wall space per day. We apply a daily labour rate of £250 - £325 depending on the region you select (e.g., London rates are weighted +20% higher).
- Material Costs — Matte/Emulsion is calculated at ~ £7 per litre (Standard coverage), while Gloss/Satin is calculated at ~ £16 per litre (Higher durability).
- Prep Work — If you select "Needs Preparation," we add approximately half a day to a day of additional labour time for filling, sanding, and sugar soaping. Re-plastering is a much bigger job, which adds more time, and cost.
Paint Coverage Guide: Understanding Material Estimates
While a professional painter and decorator will calculate exactly how much paint is needed for your project, it is useful to understand how these figures are worked out. Knowing the typical coverage rates helps you make sense of the material costs in your quote and ensures that enough high-quality paint is being budgeted for a durable finish.
Paint coverage is measured in square metres per litre (m²/L). This figure tells you how much wall area one litre of paint will cover with a single coat.
Typical Coverage Rates by Paint Type
Different finishes have different consistencies, which affects how far they spread. Below is a breakdown of average coverage rates you can expect to see in a professional quote.
| Paint Type | Typical Coverage (m²/L) | Standard Coats | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Emulsion (Matt) | 10 – 12 m² | 2 | Living rooms, Bedrooms |
| Silk / Satin Emulsion | 12 – 14 m² | 2 | Hallways, High-traffic areas |
| Kitchen & Bathroom Paint | 11 – 13 m² | 2 | Humid or damp environments |
| Gloss (Woodwork) | 12 – 16 m² | 1 – 2 | Skirting boards, Doors |
| Primer / Undercoat | 10 – 12 m² | 1 | Bare plaster, Prep work |
| Contract / Trade Matt | 8 – 10 m² | 2 – 3 | New plaster (Mist coats) |
Professional decorators typically use "Trade" paints rather than retail versions. While the cost per tin may appear higher on your invoice, trade paints have a higher pigment level and better coverage (up to 16m²/L). This often reduces the number of coats required, saving on labour time.
How Material Quantities Are Calculated
To determine the total volume of paint required, tradespeople use the total wall area derived from your room measurements and apply the following logic:
(Total Wall Area × Number of Coats) ÷ Coverage Rate = Total Litres Needed
Example
For a room with 30m² of wall space using Matt Emulsion (12m²/L) and 2 coats:
- 30m² × 2 coats = 60m² total area to cover.
- 60 ÷ 12 = 5 Litres of paint required.
Why Your Quote Might Be Higher
The figures above represent an ideal scenario on smooth walls. A professional painter may quote for 10–20% more paint (or additional labour time) if:
- The Walls are Textured — Woodchip wallpaper, Artex, or rough plaster increases surface area significantly.
- You are Painting New Plaster — Fresh plaster is porous and absorbs the first coat, requiring a "mist coat" for proper adhesion.
- Drastic Colour Changes — If you are asking to paint a light colour over a dark wall (or vice versa), it may require 3 coats rather than 2 to achieve a solid, professional finish.
Painting a Room Cost Breakdown
The calculator above uses the following average unit prices, sourced from real quotes on the MyJobQuote platform.
| Item | Average Unit Cost |
|---|---|
| Painter Day Rate | £150 - £350 per day |
| Price Per m² (Labour + Paint) | £12 - £18 per m² |
| Standard Emulsion (5L) | £25 - £40 |
| Gloss Paint (2.5L) | £30 - £62 |
| Wallpaper Removal | £8 - £12 per m² |
FAQs
How long does it take to paint a room?
Do I need to move furniture out?
What’s the best type of paint for each room?
Is it cheaper to paint yourself?
Ready to Get a Quote?
Painting is a great way to refresh a room, boost its value and make the space truly your own. But it's important to budget carefully to avoid unexpected costs. By understanding the key factors that affect painting prices and using a painting cost calculator, you can plan ahead and stay in control of your project. Try our wall paint calculator to get a quick estimate based on your room and preferences.
Get up to 3 free, no-obligation quotes from painters near you. All you need is a couple of minutes of time and some basic details about what you’re after. We’ll handle the rest!
Last updated by MyJobQuote on 3rd January 2026.
