Interior Painting Cost Calculator
Estimated Total Cost
$700 – $1,200
$1.75 – $3.00 per sq ft (installed)
Paint & Materials
$100 – $200
Labor
$600 – $1,000
Wall Area
400 sq ft
Paint Quality
Standard
Tip: Get at least 3 quotes from professional painters. Ask what's included — quality jobs include patching nail holes, caulking gaps, priming stains, and two coats of finish paint.
Standard (Eggshell): The most popular finish for living spaces. Slight sheen that's easy to clean while still hiding minor imperfections. Brands like Behr, Valspar, and PPG offer excellent options at this price point.
Disclaimer: Estimates are for budgeting purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, contractor, material availability, and project complexity. Always get professional quotes for exact pricing.
Interior Painting Cost Breakdown
| Paint Quality | Material / Sq Ft | Labor / Sq Ft | Total / Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Builder Grade (Flat) | $0.15 – $0.30 | $1.25 – $2.00 | $1.40 – $2.30 |
| Standard (Eggshell) | $0.25 – $0.50 | $1.50 – $2.50 | $1.75 – $3.00 |
| Premium (Satin/Semi-Gloss) | $0.40 – $0.75 | $1.75 – $3.00 | $2.15 – $3.75 |
| Designer (Farrow & Ball) | $0.60 – $1.25 | $2.00 – $3.50 | $2.60 – $4.75 |
* Costs shown for walls-only painting (1.0× labor). Walls + ceiling adds 30%, walls + ceiling + trim adds 55% to labor.
Average Project Costs (Professional)
| Project | Wall Area | Paint & Scope | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Room | 400 sq ft | Standard, Walls Only | $700 – $1,200 |
| Living Room | 600 sq ft | Premium, Walls + Ceiling | $1,605 – $2,790 |
| Whole House (Small) | 2,000 sq ft | Standard, Walls + Ceiling | $4,400 – $7,500 |
| Whole House (Large) | 4,000 sq ft | Standard, Walls + Ceiling + Trim | $10,300 – $17,500 |
How We Calculate
Our interior painting calculator estimates project costs based on wall area, paint quality, and project scope. Material cost is based on area, while labor cost is adjusted by a scope multiplier for additional surfaces.
How the math works: Material cost = wall area × paint cost per sq ft. Labor cost = wall area × labor rate per sq ft × scope multiplier. Total = material + labor. The scope multiplier adjusts labor: walls only is 1.0×, walls + ceiling adds 30% (1.3×), and walls + ceiling + trim adds 55% (1.55×).
Paint Quality Comparison
Builder Grade (Flat/Matte) ($0.15–$0.30/sq ft material, $1.25–$2.00/sq ft labor) is the most affordable. Flat finish hides imperfections but marks easily and is hard to clean. Best for ceilings and low-traffic rooms.
Standard (Eggshell) ($0.25–$0.50/sq ft material, $1.50–$2.50/sq ft labor) is the most popular finish for homes. Slight sheen that's easy to clean while still forgiving on imperfect walls. Behr, Valspar, and PPG are solid mid-range brands.
Premium (Satin/Semi-Gloss) ($0.40–$0.75/sq ft material, $1.75–$3.00/sq ft labor) offers superior durability and washability. Satin works well on walls in kitchens and bathrooms. Semi-gloss is standard for trim, doors, and cabinets. Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams are top premium brands.
Designer (Farrow & Ball, etc.) ($0.60–$1.25/sq ft material, $2.00–$3.50/sq ft labor) is the premium tier. Ultra-rich pigments, superior coverage, and exceptional color depth. Brands include Farrow & Ball, Benjamin Moore Aura, and Fine Paints of Europe. Often requires fewer coats despite higher per-gallon cost.
Project Scope
Walls only is the baseline (1.0× labor). Walls + ceiling adds 30% labor for overhead work, ladder repositioning, and cutting in at the ceiling line. Walls + ceiling + trim adds 55% total — trim requires careful taping, often a different sheen (semi-gloss), and more detailed brushwork.
Additional Cost Factors
Our estimates cover paint materials and painting labor. Not included: extensive wall repair (holes, cracks, water damage) at $1–$5/sq ft, wallpaper removal ($1–$3/sq ft), lead paint testing and abatement ($8–$15/sq ft for pre-1978 homes), primer for dark-to-light color changes ($0.15–$0.30/sq ft), accent walls or multiple colors ($100–$300 extra per color change), and furniture moving and floor protection (typically included by pros, but verify).
Data Sources
Pricing data is compiled from HomeAdvisor, Angi, painting contractor quotes, and retail paint pricing from Benjamin Moore, Sherwin-Williams, Behr, and Valspar across multiple US regions. Labor rates reflect professional painters including prep, priming, two coats, and cleanup. We review and update this data regularly.
Last updated: 2026-02-02
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does interior painting cost? +
Interior painting costs $1.40–$4.75 per square foot of wall area, depending on paint quality and project scope. Builder grade paint runs $1.40–$2.30/sq ft, standard (eggshell) $1.75–$3.00/sq ft, premium $2.15–$3.75/sq ft, and designer $2.60–$4.75/sq ft. A single room costs $700–$1,200, while a whole house runs $4,400–$17,500.
How much does it cost to paint a room? +
Painting a single room costs $700–$1,200 for walls only with standard paint (based on ~400 sq ft of wall area). A living room with ceiling costs $1,600–$2,800. Adding ceiling adds 30% to labor, and trim adds another 25%. Smaller rooms like bathrooms cost $300–$600.
How much paint do I need? +
One gallon covers 350–400 sq ft with one coat. For two coats (recommended), divide your wall area by 175–200 to get gallons needed. A 12×12 ft room with 8 ft ceilings has about 400 sq ft of wall area and needs 2–3 gallons for two coats. Add 10% for touch-ups.
Should I hire a painter or DIY? +
DIY saves 60–75% (labor is the biggest cost). A single room can be DIY-painted for $50–$150 in supplies vs. $700–$1,200 professionally. Hire a pro for high ceilings, multiple rooms, extensive prep (peeling paint, water damage), or when you want a flawless finish. Pros work 3–5× faster than most DIYers.
How long does interior painting take? +
Professional painters complete one room in 4–8 hours, including prep. A full house (3–4 bedrooms) takes 2–4 days. DIY takes 2–3× longer. Factors: wall condition (patching, sanding), number of coats, color changes (dark to light needs primer), and whether ceiling and trim are included.
What is the best interior paint? +
Benjamin Moore Regal Select and Sherwin-Williams Duration are top-rated for durability and coverage. For budget projects, Behr Ultra and Valspar Signature perform well. For premium spaces, Benjamin Moore Aura and Farrow & Ball offer exceptional color depth. Always use paint-and-primer-in-one for fewer coats.
How often should I repaint interior walls? +
Repaint every 5–10 years depending on traffic and finish. High-traffic areas (hallways, kitchens) need repainting every 3–5 years. Bedrooms and living rooms last 5–7 years. Bathrooms should be repainted every 3–4 years due to moisture. Flat/matte finishes show wear faster than satin or semi-gloss.
Related Calculators
Plan Your Next Project
Explore more free calculators to estimate costs and materials for your home improvement projects.