How much paint do exterior walls need? Calculate the quantity

Measure the area receiving the same paint, subtract unpainted openings and use the product's coverage. Window trim, corner boards and other details need a separate calculation if painted with another product.

Measure a rectangular wall as width × height. Measure a triangular gable as width × height ÷ 2. Add the parts and subtract windows and doors that will not receive façade paint. A home with 120 m² of floor area does not automatically have 120 m² of façade.

Nordsjö's calculation instructions use the same principle: painted area, number of coats and the product's m²/l figure. Do not make a general exception for small windows; calculate the areas you actually intend to paint.

Worked example: 120 m² façade with two coats

Assume 140 m² of walls and gables, including 20 m² of openings that will not be painted. That leaves 120 m². With two coats and 8 m²/l, the calculation is (140 − 20) × 2 ÷ 8 = 30 litres of topcoat. The example excludes primer and wastage allowance and is not a measurement of your house.

At coverage of 6–8 m²/l, approximately 0.13–0.17 litres per m² are needed for one coat, or 0.25–0.33 litres for two. This is a calculated range for that coverage, not a universal consumption rate for all exterior paints.

As a product example, Beckers Perfekt Fasad specifies 6–8 m²/l and two finishing coats. Follow the instructions for the product and surface used on your project; the example does not mean NLL has selected that product for your house.

Calculated topcoat quantity at 6–8 m²/l, two coats, excluding wastage and primer:

Figures are rounded only in the table. Choose container sizes from the full calculation and the reserve you need.

How far does 10 litres of exterior paint go?

10 litres cover 60–80 m² in one coat or 30–40 m² in two coats if the product's coverage is 6–8 m²/l. The same wall area is painted twice. If your paint has different coverage, calculate 10 × m²/l ÷ number of coats.

There is no universal percentage allowance for every absorbent façade. Use the product instructions for the actual surface and check consumption on a representative section before ordering the full quantity.

Rough cladding, porous render and previously treated timber have different properties. Coverage for timber paint should not be used to order render paint. Note both the material and existing treatment when calculating.

If priming is needed, calculate it separately using the primer's coverage. Primer is not automatically used in greater quantities than topcoat; treated area, product and number of coats determine consumption. The guide to priming a façade explains when this stage is needed.

Take the number of coats from the paint system's application instructions. Two coats with the same calculated consumption need twice as much topcoat as one; calculate primer separately.

A colour that appears opaque after the first coat does not itself mean the specified treatment is complete. Follow the stated quantities and drying times too. Plan the wait between stages with the guide to how long house painting takes.

Paint cost is calculated from the products and quantities you buy. A price per m² for painting labour is a different calculation and should not be read as the cost of paint tins.

NLL Måleri's indicative price for labour on timber façades is 625–875 SEK/m² including VAT before any applicable ROT tax deduction. For labour on rendered and brick façades, the indicative price is 500–750 SEK/m² including VAT before any applicable ROT tax deduction. Materials and other costs are assessed separately; these labour prices are not a total price for a finished façade.

Use the cost calculator for your project for an initial cost estimate. Read about exterior wall painting by NLL when you want help with the work, or compare the cost items in our guide to painting the outside of your house.