Paint Can Sizes Explained: Never Buy The Wrong Size!

Understanding paint coverage is crucial before determining what sizes does paint come in. Benjamin Moore, a well-known paint manufacturer, offers a variety of sizes to meet different project needs. Efficient project planning necessitates considering the dimensions of the space to be painted. Different paint types, like latex or oil-based, might be available in limited or specific container dimensions, impacting the quantity required for complete coverage.

Image taken from the YouTube channel Super Vassar Brothers , from the video titled How Much Paint Do You NEED? // How To Measure For Buying Paint .

Paint Can Sizes Explained: Never Buy The Wrong Size!

Choosing the right amount of paint for your project can be tricky. Buying too little means a frustrating trip back to the store mid-project. Buying too much leaves you with leftover paint taking up space. This guide clearly explains "what sizes does paint come in" so you can make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

Understanding Standard Paint Can Sizes

Paint isn't sold in completely arbitrary sizes. There are a few standard measurements you’ll consistently find, though availability can vary slightly depending on the brand and type of paint.

Common Paint Can Sizes

Here's a breakdown of the most commonly available paint sizes:

• Touch-Up Bottles/Jars: Usually available in fluid ounces (e.g., 2 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz).
• Pints: Contains 16 fluid ounces (approximately 473 milliliters).
• Quarts: Contains 32 fluid ounces (approximately 946 milliliters).
• Gallons: Contains 128 fluid ounces (approximately 3.785 liters).
• Five-Gallon Buckets: Contains 640 fluid ounces (approximately 18.927 liters).

Less Common, But Still Available Sizes

While the sizes above are the most prevalent, you might occasionally encounter these:

• Half-Pints: Less common, but used for very small projects or color sampling.
• Two-Gallon Buckets: A less frequently stocked option that bridges the gap between a gallon and a five-gallon bucket.

Detailed Look at Each Size

Let's explore each paint size in more detail, including typical uses and coverage:

Touch-Up Bottles/Jars

• Purpose: Designed for small touch-ups, covering scratches, or repairing minor imperfections.
• Coverage: Extremely limited. Suitable for covering a few square inches.
• Pros: Convenient, small, ideal for minimal corrections.
• Cons: Not cost-effective for anything beyond the smallest tasks.

Pints

• Purpose: Best for small craft projects, furniture detailing, or painting trim in a small room. Good for sample colors to test before buying a larger quantity.
• Coverage: Approximately 50-75 square feet, depending on the paint type and surface.
• Pros: More economical than touch-up bottles for small projects, allows for color experimentation.
• Cons: Insufficient for painting entire walls or larger areas.

Quarts

• Purpose: Suitable for painting small furniture items, smaller accent walls, or multiple small craft projects. A good size for painting a small bathroom.
• Coverage: Approximately 100-150 square feet, depending on the paint type and surface.
• Pros: A good middle ground for medium-sized projects, more affordable than larger sizes if you don't need a lot of paint.
• Cons: Might require multiple quarts for larger projects, leading to color inconsistencies if from different batches.

Gallons

• Purpose: The most common size for interior and exterior painting projects. Ideal for painting entire rooms, multiple furniture pieces, or covering larger surfaces.
• Coverage: Approximately 350-400 square feet per coat, depending on the paint type and surface.
• Pros: Cost-effective for larger projects, typically available in a wide range of colors and finishes.
• Cons: Can result in significant leftover paint if not carefully planned.

Five-Gallon Buckets

• Purpose: Designed for large-scale painting projects, such as painting entire houses (exterior or interior), multiple rooms, or large commercial spaces.
• Coverage: Approximately 1750-2000 square feet per coat, depending on the paint type and surface.
• Pros: Most economical option for very large projects, reduces the risk of color inconsistencies.
• Cons: Requires ample storage space, can be difficult to handle due to weight, may result in considerable waste if unused.

Factors Affecting Paint Coverage

Keep in mind that the coverage estimations above are approximate. Several factors can influence how far a specific can of paint will stretch:

• Surface Texture: Rough surfaces require more paint than smooth surfaces.
• Surface Porosity: Porous surfaces (like unfinished drywall) absorb more paint. Priming can help reduce this.
• Paint Type: Different paint types (e.g., flat, eggshell, satin, gloss) have different coverage characteristics.
• Number of Coats: Multiple coats, while improving color and durability, significantly increase the amount of paint needed.
• Application Method: Spraying paint generally requires more paint than brushing or rolling.
• Color Change: Painting a light color over a dark color usually requires more coats, thus more paint.

Determining the Right Paint Can Size

Carefully assess your project needs before purchasing paint. Measure the area you plan to paint (length x width) to calculate the square footage. Add up the square footage for all surfaces to be painted. Take into account the factors affecting coverage to estimate the total amount of paint required. If you are unsure, it's often better to slightly overestimate and have a little leftover than to run out of paint in the middle of your project. Leftover paint can always be used for touch-ups or future projects.

Video: Paint Can Sizes Explained: Never Buy The Wrong Size!

Play Video