How Much Paint for a 12x14 Bedroom? (2026 Guide)
How much paint for a 12x14 bedroom? With 8-ft walls, one door and one window, two coats need about 2-3 gallons (≈2.2); buy 3 to cover touch-ups.
The math for a 12×14 bedroom, step by step
We'll use a 12×14 ft bedroom with 8-ft walls, one interior door and one window. The same steps work for any room.
1. Find the gross wall area
Add the sides and double: (12 + 14) × 2 = 52 ft of perimeter. Multiply by the wall height: 52 × 8 = 416 sq ft of gross wall.
2. Subtract the door and window
A standard interior door is about 21 sq ft and a typical window about 12 sq ft — neither needs a full wall coat. 416 − 21 − 12 = 383 sq ft of net wall.
3. Double for two coats, divide by coverage
Most wall paints cover about 350 sq ft per gallon per coat. Two coats over 383 sq ft: 383 × 2 = 766 sq ft, and 766 ÷ 350 ≈ 2.2 gallons. Paint only comes in whole cans, so buy 3 — full coverage plus a little for touch-ups. If your room has a second window or a closet door, rerun it in the paint calculator.
What changes with 9-ft walls?
Taller walls add more area than you'd think. At 9 ft, the gross wall is 52 × 9 = 468 sq ft; subtract the same 33 sq ft of door and window and you get 435 sq ft. Two coats: 870 ÷ 350 ≈ 2.5 gallons — you'd still buy 3 gallons, but add 1 quart so touch-ups don't dip into the wall cans.
Paint for common bedroom sizes
Every row assumes 8-ft walls, one door (≈21 sq ft), one window (≈12 sq ft) and two coats at 350 sq ft per gallon:
| Bedroom size | Net wall area (minus door & window) | Two coats need | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 12 | 319 sq ft | ≈ 1.8 gallons | 2–3 gallons |
| 12 × 12 | 351 sq ft | ≈ 2.0 gallons | 2–3 gallons |
| 12 × 14 | 383 sq ft | ≈ 2.2 gallons | 3 gallons |
| 14 × 16 | 447 sq ft | ≈ 2.6 gallons | 3–4 gallons |
Read across the third row: the 12×14 bedroom needs ≈ 2.2 gallons for two coats. Move up to a 14×16 master and the total crosses two gallons at ≈ 2.6, so buy 3–4 gallons.
Painting tips that save a trip
- Subtract openings, not trim — count walls minus the door and window areas; the 33 sq ft you skip saves roughly a quarter of a gallon over two coats.
- Plan the ceiling separately — a 12×14 ceiling is 168 sq ft, roughly 1 gallon at two coats; most people use a flat ceiling white rather than the wall color, so keep the cans apart.
- Dark colors take an extra coat — a deep navy or red over white needs about three coats to look even, pushing the wall total toward 3.3 gallons; buy 4, or start with a tinted primer and stay at 3.
Painting more of the house? The same measure-subtract-divide routine covers a 12×12 room, and further out a 2-car garage where the numbers scale up fast.
FAQ
How many gallons of paint do I need for a 12x14 bedroom?
About 3 gallons for two coats. With 8-ft walls, one door and one window, the net wall area is 383 sq ft (416 minus 21 and 12), so two coats need 766 ÷ 350 ≈ 2.2 gallons — and paint only comes in whole cans, so buy 3 to leave a little for touch-ups.
How much more paint do 9-ft walls need in a 12x14 bedroom?
Roughly 1/4 to 1/2 gallon more. Raising the walls from 8 ft to 9 ft adds 52 sq ft of gross wall, lifting the net area from 383 to 435 sq ft and the two-coat total from 766 to 870 sq ft — about 0.3 gallon extra. Buy 3 gallons and add a quart.
Should I buy 2 or 3 gallons of paint for a 12x14 bedroom?
Buy 3. Two gallons only cover about 700 sq ft, but two coats on this room need about 766 sq ft, so 2 leaves no margin for roller waste or touch-ups. Three gallons finish both coats and still leave paint for later touch-ups.
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