Paint Calculator South Africa
Enter room dimensions — get litres of paint needed plus the most economical tin combination to buy.
Room dimensions
Paint needed
Wall area
44.5 m²
after openings
Ceiling area
20.0 m²
Total paint
11.8 L
2 coats
Buy
2 × 5 L + 2 × 1 L
suggested tins
How this is calculated
Wall area = perimeter × height minus door and window openings. Coverage based on manufacturer specs for a smooth interior surface — textured walls and new plaster may require 20–30% more. Tin suggestions minimise over-purchase; always keep a spare litre for touch-ups.
Common questions
How many litres of paint do I need for a standard room?
A typical 4 × 5 m room with 2.7 m ceilings needs approximately 5–6 litres for 2 coats of PVA on the walls (after deducting one door and two windows). The ceiling adds another 1.5–2 litres. Coverage varies by paint quality and surface texture.
How much does a litre of Dulux or Plascon PVA cover?
Dulux and Plascon interior PVA covers approximately 10–12 m² per litre on a smooth, previously painted surface (one coat). On new plaster or textured walls, coverage drops to 8–10 m²/L. The calculator uses 11 m²/L as the default.
How many coats of paint do I need?
Two coats is the minimum for a quality finish on previously painted surfaces. New plaster or raw surfaces should receive a coat of diluted PVA sealer first, then two full coats. Dramatic colour changes (e.g. dark to light) may need a third coat.
What size paint tins are available in South Africa?
Dulux and Plascon are sold in 1 L, 5 L, and 20 L containers at most Builders Warehouse, Leroy Merlin, and hardware stores. Buying larger tins is more cost-effective — a 5 L tin is usually cheaper per litre than five 1 L tins.
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