How Much Paint Do You Need for a Shed?

The amount of shed paint you’ll need depends on the size of the building. A small unit will likely need around one litre or half a gallon, especially if you’re doing a couple of coats. A larger one, of course, will require more.

Here are the estimated litres (or gallons) for different shed sizes, from smallest to largest—plus some considerations to give you a better idea.

How Many Litres to Paint a Small Shed?

Small sheds usually range from 3x3ft, like the BillyOh Master Tall Store, up to a 4x6ft shed. If yours fall within this dimension span, 1-2 litres is a rough estimate, but you might need a bit more depending on a few factors.

Here’s why: 1-2 litres should be enough for a single coat. If you’re doing multiple coats, you’ll probably need at least 2-3 litres to be on the safe side.

Now, say your wooden shed has a rough texture; it will likely soak up more paint. To help with this, we’d recommend applying a primer first—it smooths out the surface and makes it less absorbent. This can also help you stick to the estimated amount of paint.

Medium Shed Paint Litres

Medium-sized sheds generally start at 8×6 sheds and go up to about 10 or 12 feet in length. Garden rooms of this size are usually the in-between option for those stuck between small or larger units. Naturally, this also means using more paint compared to smaller sheds.

For a single coat, you’ll need around half a gallon to 4 litres, depending on the type of paint and surface. If you’re applying multiple coats, it’s best to have 4-6 litres on hand for full coverage.

Large Shed Paint Litres

Large sheds extend from 12×10 sheds and can go to more than 18 feet in length, and they get even bigger from there. A more generous interior means you’ve got more surface to cover with paint.

Prepare around 5-7 litres of shed paint for a single coat and about 7-10 litres for multiple coats.

While you could tackle the painting on your own, it’s a good idea to have a helping hand if you’ve got a large shed. Having someone assist can make things go quicker, especially when reaching those higher spots. It can be tiring to paint everything by yourself, don’t you think?

Factors That May Require More Paint

These apply no matter the size of your shed, so be sure to keep them in mind:

• Multiple coats: One coat won’t be enough if you’re using lighter colours like white, cream, or pastels. The same goes for when you’re changing from dark to light, or vice versa. In these cases, you’ll likely need extra coats for proper coverage.
• Paint type: The type of paint you’re using also plays a part. Water-based paints, for example, will usually need more coats to cover fully. Meanwhile, clear wood stains might not need as many, but pigmented stains definitely will.
• Additional features: The amount of paint required will increase if you’re painting the roof, doors, windows, or interior. The roof, for instance, often has a larger surface area than you might expect. Doors and windows come with trims, edges, and frames to cover as well. And if you decide to refresh the interior, that’ll add another layer of coverage.

We’d suggest having some extra paint just in case any of these apply to you. Remember, the litre estimates for each shed size are just rough guidelines, so you can always adjust based on your specific needs.

Feel free to use this as a reference for any wooden outdoor storage, including wooden workshops, log cabin sheds, summer house sheds, and more.

For more painting tips, read this next: The Best Paint Colours for a Garden Shed