CostPrism
Home Updated June 2026

House Painting Cost Calculator

Calculate 2026 interior and exterior house painting costs by square footage, paint quality, and number of rooms or stories — with paint quantity estimates.

National avg: $3,500
Range: $1,200 – $12,000
Used by 28,940 people

Enter Your Details

What Affects the Cost?

1. Interior Painting Costs

Professional interior painting costs $2–$6/sqft of wall space, or $200–$800 per room. A typical 12×12 room costs $400–$900. An entire 2,000 sqft home costs $4,000–$10,000. Labor is 70–80% of interior painting costs. Budget 1 gallon per 350–400 sqft for walls (2 coats). Ceiling paint adds $1–$2/sqft above walls.

2. Exterior Painting Costs

Exterior house painting costs $1.50–$4/sqft of wall surface, or $1,800–$8,000 for an average 2-story home. Single-story homes (1,500 sqft exterior surface): $1,500–$4,500. Two-story homes add 30–50% for equipment and scaffolding. Trim painting adds $200–$800 depending on detail complexity. Prep work (scraping, sanding, priming) is critical for exterior durability.

3. Paint Quality and Coverage

Budget paints ($20–$35/gallon): 1 coat covers ~300 sqft, 1–2 coat coverage. Standard paints ($35–$55/gallon): better coverage, 350–400 sqft/gallon. Premium paints ($55–$85/gallon): best coverage (400+ sqft/gallon), 10–15 year durability vs 5–7 years for budget. For a 1,800 sqft house interior, plan 8–12 gallons for 2 coats on walls.

2026 Cost Reference Table

Type / Option Typical Cost Range
Single room interior (200 sqft walls) $200 – $600
Full home interior (1,800 sqft) $3,600 – $8,000
Exterior — single story (1,500 sqft) $1,500 – $4,500
Exterior — two story (2,500 sqft) $2,800 – $7,500
Exterior + interior (full home) $5,000 – $15,000
Kitchen cabinet painting $900 – $3,500

Frequently Asked Questions

Professional interior house painting costs $2–$6/sqft of wall area. A 1,800 sqft home with standard 8-ft ceilings has about 2,400 sqft of wall area, costing $4,800–$14,400 for professional painting including prep, primer, and 2 coats. Per-room cost ranges from $200 (small bathroom) to $1,200 (large living room).

Professional painters provide better results for: ceilings, trim, high walls, exterior work, and when surface prep is needed. DIY interior painting saves $1,500–$4,000 on a full home but takes 20–40 hours of your time plus rental equipment. For exterior work, professionals are strongly recommended due to safety, equipment needs, and prep work complexity.

Interior walls: every 5–10 years under normal conditions. High-traffic areas (hallways, kids' rooms): every 2–3 years. Exterior with quality paint: every 7–10 years. Exterior in harsh climates (high UV, coastal, cold winters): every 5–7 years. Premium exterior paints last 10–15 years and often save money long-term vs. repainting more frequently.

Get Free Painting Quotes Near You

Compare 3+ licensed painting contractors in your area. Professional painters typically include surface prep, primer, and cleanup.

Get Free Painting Contractor Quotes Find Local Painters on Thumbtack

Tips Before You Start

  • ✓ Interior painting is DIY-friendly for flat surfaces — hire pros for ceilings, trim, and high areas
  • ✓ Premium paint ($50–$80/gallon) saves money long-term — better coverage and longer intervals between repaints
  • ✓ Exterior painting in spring or fall avoids extreme heat that affects adhesion and dry time
  • ✓ Dark colors on exterior require more coats — budget an extra 10–15% for coverage
  • ✓ Prep work (sanding, patching, priming) is 50–60% of a professional painter's time and cost

Cost by State — 2026

Based on national average pricing adjusted for local labor and material costs.