Show the formula and working
This free tile paint calculator works out how much tile paint, and optionally primer, you need to refresh wall tiles or a splashback in a kitchen or bathroom, for homeowners and renters in the UK, Ireland and Europe. Enter the tiled area, the coats and the coverage on your tin, and it gives litres, tins and how much will be left over.
Quick answer: Multiply the width by the height of the tiled area, multiply by the coats and divide by the coverage on the tin. A 2 m by 1.2 m splashback is 2.4 m², so at an example 10 m² per litre a tile paint calculator shows 480 ml for two coats, one 750 ml tin.
What Is a Tile Paint Calculator?
A tile paint calculator is a tool that turns the size of a tiled surface into the amount of specialist tile paint to buy. In plain words: area = width x height x number of areas the same size, plus any extra patches, minus anything you will not paint. Paint = area x coats / coverage per litre, rounded up to whole tins. Primer, if your system needs it, is area / primer coverage for one coat.
Tile paint coverage varies a lot between brands and between gloss and satin versions, so the calculator starts at an example of 10 m² per litre that you should replace with the number on your tin. Grout lines are painted over along with the tiles, so you do not add anything for them.
How Do You Use the Tile Paint Calculator?
- Measure the tiles and enter the Tiled area width and Tiled area height.
- Enter the Number of areas this size, any Extra tiled area and any Area to leave out.
- Set the Coats and the Tile paint coverage from your tin, and pick the Tin size.
- If your tile paint needs it, tick Add one coat of tile primer and enter the Primer coverage.
- Read the litres and tins, then open “Show the formula and working” to see each step.
How Much Tile Paint Do I Need?
A typical kitchen splashback of 1 to 3 m² needs less than one 750 ml tin, even with two coats, while fully tiled bathroom walls can need several tins. The table uses the example coverage of 10 m² per litre; if your tin says 8, multiply the litres by 1.25.
| Tiled area | Example | One coat | Two coats | 750 ml tins for two coats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 m² | 2 m by 0.6 m splashback | 120 ml | 240 ml | 1 |
| 2.4 m² | 2 m by 1.2 m splashback | 240 ml | 480 ml | 1 |
| 5 m² | Bath surround | 500 ml | 1 L | 2 |
| 8 m² | Half tiled small bathroom | 800 ml | 1.6 L | 3 |
| 12 m² | Half tiled larger bathroom | 1.2 L | 2.4 L | 4 |
| 17.28 m² | Three walls 2.4 m by 2.4 m | 1.73 L | 3.46 L | 5 |
Where Can You Use Tile Paint?
Most tile paints are made for interior wall tiles in kitchens and bathrooms, and the product label says where else they can go. For example, the Ronseal One Coat Tile Paint page lists enamel, porcelain, fibreglass and ceramic tiles, and says the paint cannot be in direct contact with heat but is fine on a splashback or behind a hob. Check the tin before painting inside a shower, on floor tiles or on worktops, because many products are not suitable there.
How Do You Prepare Tiles for Painting?
Clean the tiles thoroughly to remove grease, soap scum and mould, rinse, and let them dry completely before painting. Repair cracked grout, replace failed sealant afterwards rather than painting over it, and follow any sanding or primer step the tin gives. The silicone sealant calculator works out how much sealant you need to finish the edges, and the grout calculator helps if you regrout first.
Worked Example: Painting a Kitchen Splashback
Example: a tiled kitchen splashback 2 m wide and 1.2 m high, painted with two coats of tile paint at an example coverage of 10 m² per litre. The area is 2 x 1.2 = 2.4 m². Paint = 2.4 x 2 / 10 = 0.48 litres, or 480 ml, so one 750 ml tin is enough with 270 ml left over for touch ups. At these coats, one tin covers 3.75 m².
If the tin you buy states a different coverage, change the figure and the result updates. For a full retile instead, the tile calculator works out tiles and boxes, and more tools are on the paint and decorating calculators page.
Tile Paint Calculator FAQs
How far does a 750 ml tin of tile paint go?
It depends on the coverage on the tin. At an example 10 m² per litre, 750 ml covers 7.5 m² with one coat or 3.75 m² with two. Check your tin, as figures vary between brands and finishes.
How many coats of tile paint do I need?
Follow the tin. Some tile paints are sold as one coat products, while others need two. A big change, such as dark tiles to white, often needs an extra coat for an even finish whatever the label says.
Do I need to paint the grout separately?
No. Tile paint goes over the tiles and grout lines together, so the area is simply width x height. Some people pick out the grout lines afterwards with a grout pen for a tiled look, which needs no extra paint.
Can I use tile paint in a shower?
Only if the tin says it is suitable for areas in direct contact with water and heat. Many tile paints are for splashbacks and walls that get splashed, not for inside a shower enclosure. If in doubt, choose a different area or retile.
Do I need a primer for tile paint?
Some tile paints are made to go straight onto clean tiles, while others need a primer first. Follow the system on your tin. If a primer is needed, tick the option to add its litres from its own coverage.
How long does tile paint last?
Durability depends on the product, the preparation and how much water and wear the tiles get. Good cleaning before painting and allowing the full curing time on the tin before use make the biggest difference.
Checked October 2026. Sources: Ronseal One Coat Tile Paint (product page), Tile (Wikipedia).