Paint Coverage by Brand
Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Behr all publish 350–400 sq ft per gallon for one coat on smooth primed drywall. The differences between brands are smaller than the difference between surface conditions. Here is what each brand publishes and what actually matters for your project.
Manufacturer-published coverage rates (as of 2026-06-16)
| Brand / Product line | Coverage per gallon | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams (standard) | 350–400 sq ft | SW recommends 350 for planning |
| Sherwin-Williams Emerald | 350–400 sq ft | Better hide — may cover in fewer coats |
| Benjamin Moore (standard) | 400 sq ft | BM uses 400 as the planning figure |
| Benjamin Moore Aura | 400 sq ft | High pigment — often 1-coat capable |
| Behr (standard) | 350–400 sq ft | Behr Marquee: 1-coat guarantee on some |
| KILZ PVA Primer | 200–300 sq ft | Porous bare drywall absorbs more primer |
Data verified against manufacturer websites as of 2026-06-16. Coverage figures are for smooth, primed surfaces and one coat. Actual coverage varies with texture, suction, and application — always check the current product label before buying.
What actually affects coverage more than brand
- Surface texture: smooth = 350–400, light texture = 300, heavy texture = 250 sq ft/gal
- Surface porosity: bare drywall soaks in far more product than a previously painted wall
- Roller nap: 3/8 in nap for smooth walls, 1/2 in for light texture — wrong nap wastes paint
- Rolling technique: overloading the roller or not back-rolling increases consumption
- Color change magnitude: dark to light requires more coats regardless of brand
Calculate for your room (using the right coverage rate)
Room Dimensions
Openings & Coats
How the math works
Step 1 — gross wall area
gross_wall = 2 × (length + width) × ceiling_height Step 2 — subtract openings
paintable = gross_wall − (doors × 20) − (windows × 15) Each standard 36×80 in door = 20.0 sq ft. Average window = 15 sq ft (industry convention). Paintable area is clamped to ≥0.
Step 3 — gallons
gallons_to_buy = ⌈ (paintable × coats) ÷ coverage ⌉ Coverage defaults to 350 sq ft/gal — the conservative figure used by Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore and Behr field guides. Always round up to whole gallons; running out mid-job risks a dye-lot mismatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Benjamin Moore publishes the highest figure — 400 sq ft/gal — for one coat on smooth primed drywall. Sherwin-Williams and Behr publish 350–400 sq ft/gal. In practice, these figures are nearly identical under the same surface conditions. The quality of the surface, prep, and application method affects real-world coverage more than the brand.
Premium paints (SW Emerald, BM Aura, Behr Marquee) typically have higher pigment concentration, which can mean better hiding power in fewer coats — especially for dramatic color changes. Budget paints may need 3 coats where a premium covers in 2. Per-coat coverage in sq ft is similar, but total gallons bought for the same result may be less with premium.
Paint-and-primer-in-one products still typically require two coats for color changes or on unprimed surfaces. They are not a true one-coat solution — the "primer" aspect means they adhere better to bare surfaces and you do not need a separate primer product, but the topcoat application count remains the same.
Use 350 sq ft/gal for any real project planning — it is the conservative, widely-agreed figure from multiple manufacturer field guides. Use 400 only if you have ideal conditions: smooth primed drywall, good technique, and a premium paint. On textured walls, use 250–300 sq ft/gal regardless of brand.