A double bedroom (3 x 3.5 m) needs 4.7 litres of paint for two coats. A single bedroom requires 4.1 litres, and a large double needs 5.4 litres. This assumes standard 2.4 m ceilings and coverage of 12 m² per litre.
The amount of paint your bedroom needs depends on wall area, which is calculated from room dimensions and ceiling height. A typical double bedroom measures roughly 3 by 3.5 metres with 2.4 metre ceilings, giving you 28.2 m² of wall space. At standard coverage of 12 m² per litre, two coats require 4.7 litres. Room size is the main variable: smaller bedrooms use less, larger ones use more. The table below shows exact amounts for common UK bedroom sizes, and you can enter your own measurements into our calculator for precision.
| Room | Wall area | Paint for 2 coats | Tin to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single bedroom (2.7 x 3 m) | 24.4 m2 | 4.1 litres | 2.5 L + 2 x 1 L |
| Double bedroom (3 x 3.5 m) | 28.2 m2 | 4.7 litres | 5 L |
| Large double (3.5 x 4.2 m) | 32.5 m2 | 5.4 litres | 5 L + 1 L |
How the number is worked out
Wall area is the perimeter times the 2.4 m ceiling, minus one door and the windows. Matt emulsion covers about 12 m2 per litre for one coat, so two coats over that area gives the litres in the table. Buy the next tin size up: paint left over is cheaper than a second trip and a slightly different batch.
Ceilings are counted separately, because the area is the floor area rather than the perimeter, and most people use a different paint for them. Skirting, architrave and doors are separate again: they take eggshell or gloss, which covers further per litre but needs an undercoat if the wood is bare.
What changes the number
Bare plaster drinks the first coat, so add a mist coat of watered-down emulsion before you start counting. A dark colour going over a pale one usually needs three coats rather than two, and a strong red or deep blue can need four. Textured or heavily filled walls swallow noticeably more than smooth plaster. Rollers with a long pile hold more paint and spread it thicker, which is why two people painting the same room from the same tin can end up with different amounts left over.
Work out your own
The table covers the usual cases. For your exact measurements, the paint calculator does the same arithmetic in the browser and gives you a size to shop for.
Related guides
- Warm Neutral Bedroom Paint Ideas for Small Rooms: Calming Colours That Don’t Shrink Space
- Warm Neutral Bedroom Paint Ideas for Small Rooms: Calming Colours That Don’t Shrink Space
- How Much Paint For a Living Room? (UK Sizes and Litres)
- How Much Paint For One Wall? (Feature Wall Litres)
Common questions
How much paint do I need for a single bedroom?
A single bedroom measuring 2.7 by 3 metres has 24.4 m² of wall space. Two coats at standard coverage require 4.1 litres of paint. A 2.5 litre tin plus two 1 litre tins will give you enough with a small reserve.
What coverage does paint actually give in litres per square metre?
Standard quality interior paint covers approximately 12 m² per litre at full opacity on a single coat. This assumes typical drywall in reasonable condition. Porous surfaces or darker colours may reduce coverage slightly, so measure conservatively.
Should I buy more paint than the calculator says?
Yes. Buy one extra 1 litre tin for touch-ups and future maintenance. Paint batches vary slightly in colour, so having a reserve from the same batch prevents visible patching if you need repairs months later.
Does the colour of paint change how much I need?
Darker colours and bold tones may require an extra coat for true colour, which increases your total volume needed. Whites and pale neutrals usually achieve full coverage in two coats. Always check your specific tin for coverage guidance.
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