Building & renovation
Which paint is cheaper per square metre?
Compare two paints by real cost per m² — price, pack size, coverage and coats — and see which saves money on your project.
Quick answer
Shelf price lies. A €28 tin and a €45 tin are not comparable until you divide by what each actually covers: real cost per m² = (pack price ÷ litres) × (coats ÷ coverage in m²/L).
Product A
Real cost per m┬▓: .40/m┬▓
Product B
Real cost per m┬▓: $2.20/m┬▓
Better value
Product A is cheaper
- Savings per m┬▓
- $0.80/m┬▓
- Savings on your project
- $32.00
Real cost per m┬▓ = (pack price ├À liters) ├ù (coats ├À coverage). A cheap tin with poor yield often costs more than a premium paint that covers better ÔÇö compare on m┬▓, not on shelf price. For liters needed on your walls, use our paint calculator.
How it works
| Product A | Product B | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €45 for 5 L | €28 for 2.5 L |
| Coverage | 10 m²/L | only 8 m²/L |
| Coats | 2 | 2 |
| Real cost per m² | €1.80 | €2.80 |
The cheaper tin costs more than half again per square metre. On a 40 m² room that gap is €40 — usually more than the price difference that made B look like the bargain in the first place.
That gap is why professional painters read the yield on the back, not the discount sticker. On a 40 m² room, the €1/m² difference is €40 saved — often more than the price gap between the two cans. Use this calculator side by side before you buy; then use the paint calculator for total litres on your walls.
One caveat about the number on the back of the tin. Declared coverage is measured in a laboratory on a smooth, sealed panel with a controlled application — on a real wall that has been filled, skimmed or previously painted matt, the same product typically delivers twenty to forty per cent less. That does not spoil the comparison, because both products were measured the same way, but it does spoil the shopping list if you buy exactly the litres the calculation gives. Compare with the declared figures, then buy against a realistic yield. And set the coats per product, not globally: the cheaper tin very often needs a third coat, which is where its advantage disappears.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate real paint cost per m²?+
Divide pack price by litres to get €/L, then multiply by litres needed per m² (coats ÷ coverage). Example: €40 for 5 L at 10 m²/L with 2 coats → (40/5) × (2/10) = €1.60/m². Always include the number of coats your surface needs — bare plaster often wants 3, a recoat over similar colour may need 1.
What coverage should I enter?+
Use the m²/L per coat printed on the tin — interior emulsion is typically 8–12, exterior facade paint 4–6, wood varnish 10–14. If the label is vague, use 10 for smooth interior walls and 5 for rough exterior render. When in doubt, assume the worse (lower) yield — that is the conservative cost estimate.
Is expensive paint always better value?+
Not always, but premium lines often win on real m² cost because yield and opacity are higher — fewer coats, fewer litres. The comparison that matters is €/m² for your specific project, not €/litre on the shelf. A mid-range paint with excellent yield can beat a budget brand that needs an extra coat.
Does this work for varnish and primer too?+
Yes — same formula. Primers are often one coat with yield around 10 m²/L; floor lacquer may need three coats at ~10 m²/L. Enter each product’s actual coats and coverage; comparing primer A vs primer B the same way stops you overpaying on the undercoat.
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