Kitchen Paint Calculator
Estimate kitchen wall paint, allowing for the cabinets and backsplash that cut the paintable area.
Calculator
Free, runs entirely in your browser, and your numbers never leave your device. Results are estimates for planning only.
What this calculator does
Kitchens are deceptive: cabinets, a backsplash, and appliances cover a big share of the wall, so the painted area is smaller than the room suggests. This tool estimates the wall paint for a kitchen and lets you trim the height or area to reflect the cabinet runs.
How to use it
- Enter the room length, width, and wall height.
- Add the doorways (kitchens often have two or three) and windows.
- Lower the wall height a little if tall cabinets cover a lot of wall, then keep two coats.
- Read the gallons needed for the visible wall area.
The formula
Paintable = 2 × (length + width) × height − openings. Paint = paintable × coats × (1 + waste%) ÷ coverage.
Example calculation
A 12 ft × 14 ft kitchen with 9 ft walls, two doorways, one window, two coats at 350 sq ft/gal:
- Wall area: 2 × (12 + 14) × 9 = 468 sq ft
- Openings: 2 × 21 + 15 = 57 sq ft
- Paintable: 468 − 57 = 411 sq ft
- Two coats: 822 sq ft, +10% waste ≈ 904 sq ft
- Paint: 904 ÷ 350 ≈ 2.6 gallons
Result: About 2.6 gallons — round up to 3 gallons, or less if cabinets cover much of the wall.
Buying and planning tips
- Use a scrubbable satin or semi-gloss near the stove and sink where splatter happens.
- Subtract tall cabinet runs by lowering the height you enter, not by guessing at the end.
- Paint before installing a new backsplash so you do not cut in around it twice.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Painting the full wall height when upper and tall cabinets cover several feet of it.
- Using a flat finish that cannot be wiped clean in a cooking zone.
- Forgetting the pantry or a second doorway when counting openings.
Assumptions and limits
- Cabinets, the backsplash, and appliances are not auto-subtracted — trim the height or area you enter.
- Each door/doorway is treated as 21 sq ft and each window as 15 sq ft.
- Coverage of ~350 sq ft per gallon is approximate; check your can.
Frequently asked questions
How much paint do I need for a kitchen?
A 12×14 ft kitchen with 9 ft walls needs roughly 2 to 3 gallons for two coats, but cabinets and the backsplash often bring that down once you subtract the covered wall.
How much paint to paint kitchen cabinets?
Cabinets are a separate job from the walls this tool estimates. As a rough guide, the doors, drawer fronts, and frames of an average kitchen take about 1 gallon of cabinet paint for two coats, plus primer — measure the door fronts to refine it.
What paint finish is best for a kitchen?
A satin or semi-gloss is easier to wipe clean and stands up to grease and moisture better than a flat finish, especially near the stove and sink.
Do cabinets change how much wall paint I need?
Yes, a lot. Upper and tall cabinets can cover much of the wall, so reduce the height or area you enter rather than painting behind cabinets.
Should I paint the kitchen ceiling too?
This estimate is for walls. For the ceiling, use a dedicated ceiling estimate (length × width) and add it separately.
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