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Total painted area
Coverage is quoted per coat, so the surface is multiplied by the coat count before any division happens.
The Formula
Total area = wall area x number of coats
Coverage is quoted per coat, so the surface is multiplied by the coat count before any division happens.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Wall area to be painted | square metres | The sum of all paintable surfaces, in square metres. |
| c | Number of coats | coats | Usually two for a finish coat, three when the colour changes sharply. |
What Each Symbol Means
Asquare metres
Wall area to be painted
The sum of all paintable surfaces, in square metres.
ccoats
Number of coats
Usually two for a finish coat, three when the colour changes sharply.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate paint coverage page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Paint Coverage, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.