The finishing supplies are easy to forget. Enter the wall, the height and the trim runs. You get the paint, the primer, the caulk tubes and the nails.
Your shopping list
0.75 galPaint
0.38 galPrimer
8Caulk tubes (10 oz)
- Area to paint120 sq ft
- Caulk lengthBoth edges of each trim run160 ft
- Finish nailsTwo nails at every spot132
- Boxes of 1,000 nails1
Paint is counted at 350 sq ft per gallon, so check your can. Amounts include 10% extra. The caulk figure assumes a square bead.
How to use the Paint, Caulk and Nails Calculator
- Enter the total wall length and the height you will paint.
- Enter the trim runs and the coats of paint.
- Pick your caulk bead size and your nail spacing.
- Read your list and check the coverage on your own paint can.
The math behind it
Paint = area x coats / 350 sq ft per gallon, plus extra
Caulk length = wall length x trim runs x 2 edges
Tubes = caulk length / feet of bead per tube
Nails = (trim length / spacing) x 2
A worked example
What we typed in
- Total wall length: 70 ft
- Height of the area you will paint: 48 in
- Trim runs along the wall: 2 runs
- Coats of paint: 3 coats
- Size of the caulk bead: 3/8 in bead
- Nail spacing along the trim: 12 in
- Extra for mistakes and cuts: 10%
What we got
- Paint: 2.64 gal
- Primer: 0.88 gal
- Caulk tubes (10 oz): 30
- Area to paint: 280 sq ft
- Caulk length: 280 ft
- Finish nails: 308
- Boxes of 1,000 nails: 1
Tips from the job site
- Caulk the joints before you paint, then touch up the caulk line after.
- Fill the nail holes with wood filler, sand and spot prime.
- Use a paintable caulk, not a silicone one.
Common questions
How far does a gallon of paint go?
About 350 sq ft for one coat on smooth walls. Rough surfaces use more. Check the can.
How much caulk is in a tube?
A 10 oz tube gives about 24 ft of 1/4 in bead. A thinner bead goes much farther.
How many nails do I need?
Plan two nails at each spot, about every 16 in along the trim.
See all Wall Calculators.
Last checked: (worked example and form display).