Cost Estimators · Painting
Interior Painting Cost Per Sq Ft Calculator
Enter your wall area and instantly estimate your interior painting cost — rooms, ceilings, or a full house.
Interior painting quotes can vary by $1–$2 per sq ft for the same job. The difference usually comes down to surface prep, the number of coats, and whether ceilings and trim are included. Use this calculator to get a solid per-square-foot baseline before meeting with painters.
Enter an area above to see your estimate
Using national average: $2–$5/sq ft
Estimates are based on national averages and are for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, contractor, and material choice.
Example: 1,200 sq ft interior wall area
Area
1,200
sq ft
Low Estimate
$2,400
@ $2/sq ft
High Estimate
$6,000
@ $5/sq ft
Based on national average rates of $2–$5/sq ft. Actual costs will vary by location and contractor.
What does interior painting cost per square foot?
Interior wall painting averages $2–$4 per sq ft of wall area for a standard two-coat job. Ceilings add $1.50–$3 per sq ft. High-end finishes, detailed trim work, or challenging spaces like stairwells can push costs to $5–$8 per sq ft. New drywall requires a dedicated primer coat before painting — add $0.50–$1/sq ft if the walls are unpainted. For exterior painting estimates, use our exterior painting cost per sq ft calculator.
Cost by project size
| Project size | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 400 sq ft (2 rooms) | $800 | $2,000 |
| 800 sq ft | $1,600 | $4,000 |
| 1,200 sq ft (average apartment) | $2,400 | $6,000 |
| 1,800 sq ft (full house interior) | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft (large home interior) | $5,000 | $12,500 |
Approximate 2026 US national averages at $2–$5/sq ft installed. Actual costs vary by location, contractor, and project complexity.
What affects painting cost per square foot?
Number of coats
A standard 2-coat job (primer or sealer + finish) is included in most quotes. Dark colours, dramatic colour changes, or new drywall require 3+ coats — adding $0.50–$1/sq ft to the cost.
Surface preparation
Walls with cracks, holes, stains, or peeling paint need patching, sanding, and spot-priming before painting. Heavy prep can add $0.50–$2/sq ft and is often underquoted by lower-cost contractors.
Paint quality & finish
Premium paints (Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams) cost $50–$80/gallon vs $20–$40 for budget options. Flat paint hides imperfections but is harder to clean. Eggshell and satin finishes cost similar but are more durable and washable.
Ceiling height
Standard 8 ft ceilings are straightforward. Rooms with 10–12 ft or vaulted ceilings require ladders and extra set-up time — adding 20–30% to the labour cost for those rooms.
Trim & doors
Baseboards, door frames, crown moulding, and window casings are typically quoted separately at $1–$3 per linear foot. More trim means more masking, cut-in work, and detail painting time.
Occupied vs vacant
Painting an occupied home requires moving and covering furniture, which takes extra time. A vacant home is faster and often costs 10–15% less per sq ft than working around belongings.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to paint the interior of a house per square foot?
Interior painting costs $2–$5 per square foot of paintable wall area. For a full house interior of 1,800 sq ft of walls, expect $3,600–$9,000. Ceilings add $1.50–$3/sq ft on top of wall costs. A single bedroom (around 200 sq ft of walls) typically costs $400–$1,000 to paint professionally.
How do painters calculate square footage for interior walls?
Painters measure total wall area by multiplying the perimeter of the room by the ceiling height, then subtract large openings. A 12×12 ft room with 8 ft ceilings has 384 sq ft of wall area before subtracting windows and doors. Most contractors measure each room individually and sum the total.
What is the difference between flat, eggshell, and satin paint?
Flat (matte) paint hides wall imperfections well and is ideal for ceilings and low-traffic rooms. Eggshell has a slight sheen and is easier to wipe clean — the standard choice for living rooms and bedrooms. Satin has more sheen and is the best choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways where walls get wiped regularly.
How long does interior painting take?
A single room takes 4–8 hours for a professional, including prep and two coats. A full house interior (3–4 bedrooms, living areas) typically takes 3–5 days for a two-person crew. Quick-dry paints and good ventilation speed up drying between coats.
Should I paint before or after new flooring?
Always paint before installing new flooring. This protects new floors from paint drips and allows painters to move freely. If painting after flooring, the contractor must mask all floor edges — adding time and cost, and risking paint overlap on the new floor.