Budgeting
Paint cost calculator
Enter the gallons and the shelf price, add primer and supplies, see the total.
- Last checked: October 10, 2026
- By the Paint Gallons editorial team
- Method checked against the sources below
- Free · no sign-up · your inputs stay in your browser
Estimate your paint cost
Prices in US dollarsYour result will appear hereEnter the gallons of paint and the price per gallon to see the total cost.
Start from the gallons a paint calculator gave you; the ceiling and exterior calculators link here with the gallons filled in. Enter the price on the shelf or the store’s website, add primer if the surface needs it, and the calculator shows the total and a line-by-line breakdown.
- Paint, primer and supplies in one total
- Retail price examples checked October 2026
- Share the estimate with a link
How this is calculated
Total = paint gallons × price per gallon + primer gallons × primer price per gallon + supplies. For example, 7.5 gallons at $35 a gallon is $262.50; with $12 of supplies and no primer, the total is $274.50.
Written by the Paint Gallons editorial team. The example prices below were read from the retailer’s product pages.
| Product | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Glidden Fundamentals interior paint and primer, flat | 1 gal | $20.97 |
| Glidden Fundamentals exterior paint, semi-gloss | 1 gal | $20.97 |
| Glidden High Endurance Plus interior paint and primer, flat | 1 gal | $37.47 |
| Glidden High Endurance Plus exterior paint and primer, semi-gloss | 1 gal | $51.00 |
| KILZ 2 all-purpose primer | 1 gal | $23.97 |
| Glidden 6-piece premium paint tray kit | Kit | $11.94 |
Assumptions
- Prices are in US dollars and do not include sales tax or delivery.
- The gallons are priced as entered. If you buy whole cans, enter the gallons you will actually buy.
- The primer default of $24 a gallon is the KILZ 2 price above, rounded; it only counts when primer gallons are more than 0.
- The supplies default of $12 is the roller and tray kit above, rounded. Add tape, drop cloths, brushes and patching compound if you need them.
- Store prices change with sales, sheen and region; premium brands at paint stores cost more than the examples here.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gallon of paint cost?
In October 2026, Glidden gallons at Walmart ranged from $20.97 for Fundamentals to $51 for High Endurance Plus exterior paint and primer. Premium lines at paint stores usually cost more, so enter the price of the paint you plan to buy.
Do I need to budget for primer?
Budget for primer on new drywall, bare wood, stains or a big color change. A paint-and-primer product can sometimes replace it on a sound painted wall. Enter 0 primer gallons if you are not priming.
What supplies should I include?
At least a roller frame and cover, a tray and a brush for cutting in; a basic kit was $11.94 at Walmart. Painter’s tape, drop cloths, patching compound and an extension pole add to that.
Where does the gallon figure come from?
Use the paint, ceiling or exterior calculator on this site. The ceiling and exterior results link here with the gallons already filled in, or you can type any amount.
Does the total include labor?
No. This is the cost of materials for a do-it-yourself job. A painting contractor’s quote includes labor and usually its own paint price.
Not sure how many gallons?
The paint calculator works out the gallons for a room’s walls; bring that figure back here.
More paint calculators
Guides for this job
When you need primer (and how much)
When new drywall, patches, stains, glossy trim, bare wood or a big color change call for primer, and how to work out how many gallons to buy.
5 min readUpdated October 10, 2026
How much it costs to paint a room yourself
A DIY cost breakdown for painting a room: gallons of paint, primer when you need it, and the rollers, tape, brushes and drop cloths.
5 min readUpdated October 10, 2026