The 'one gallon covers 400 square feet' paint claim is a bold-faced lie

I measured my 10x12 foot bedroom and bought a gallon based on the can. Ran out halfway through the second coat. The math just doesn't add up unless you're painting over bare, perfectly smooth drywall, which nobody is. Anyone else have a real-world coverage number they actually trust?

3 comments

3 Comments

ninamartin1mo ago

I read that the coverage numbers assume one coat on a perfect surface, which is never the case.

the_ivan1mo ago

Honestly, that "perfect surface" idea is why I use the numbers as a guide, not a rule. Tbh they still get me in the right ballpark for how much to buy.

the_joseph1mo ago

But @ninamartin, that's why the numbers are a helpful starting point.