Paint cost calculator
Enter your room and the price of your paint. You get the materials cost, and a rough cost if you hire a painter instead. Nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser. Switch units below.
What makes up the cost
Painting a room has two cost components: materials (paint, and primer if needed) and, if you hire help, labour. Materials scale with wall area and the number of coats; labour is usually priced per square metre and is often the larger share of a professional quote.
Worked example for a 4 × 5 m room with 2.7 m walls, two coats, $35 per 5 l tin:
- Paintable area: 45.3 m² (after subtracting openings)
- Paint needed: 45.3 × 2 ÷ 12 = 7.6 l → two 5 l tins
- Materials: 2 × $35 = $70
- With a painter at $4/m²: $70 + 45.3 × $4 = $251
DIY vs. hiring a painter
| DIY | Hired painter | |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | Same cost either way | Same cost either way |
| Labour | Your own time | Usually the larger line item |
| Tools | One-off cost if you don't own them | Included |
| Speed | Depends on your schedule | Typically 1-2 days for a room |
| Finish risk | Extra coat if coverage is uneven | Usually included in the quote |
Want to see the colour before you commit to a tin? Decoria.Studio scans your room, renders it in the colour and style you choose, then builds a shopping list with real prices — so you know the full cost before you buy anything.
Questions and answers
How much does it cost to paint a room?
For a 20 m² room painted yourself, materials typically run $80-150 depending on paint quality — a few cans at $25-40 each. Hiring a painter adds labour on top, commonly $3-6 per square metre of wall, which for the same room adds roughly $140-280.
Is it cheaper to paint a room yourself or hire someone?
DIY is cheaper on materials alone, often by half or more, but factor in your time, tools you don't already own (roller, tray, tape, drop cloths), and the risk of needing an extra coat. A professional also typically finishes faster and includes prep and clean-up in the price.
What drives the cost up the most?
Wall area and the number of coats matter most — a dark-to-light colour change needing three coats can add 50% to the materials cost. Labour, where you hire it, usually costs more than materials for an average room.
Does the ceiling add much to the cost?
Roughly as much as one more wall, since a typical room's ceiling area is close to its floor area. Check the ceiling box in the calculator to include it in the materials and labour estimate.