Interior painting cost calculator
Enter the floor area you want painted, then choose what gets painted, the condition of your walls, and the paint quality. Your price range updates as you go.
Rates reviewed September 2026.
Estimate your job
Use your home's finished square footage for a whole-house repaint. Painting one room? A 12×12 bedroom is about 144 sq ft.
Get 3 free local quotes
Tell us where you are and how to reach you. Local interior painting pros will send you their prices, and you pick the one you like.
Your estimate will be included: Interior painting, 1,500 sq ft, Walls only, Good condition, 8 ft ceilings, Standard paint: $2,400–$4,500
What interior painting typically costs by space
These ranges come from the same calculator above, so they follow the same rates. Find the row closest to your project to see how the scope changes the price.
| Space | Walls only | Walls + ceilings | Walls, ceilings + trim |
|---|---|---|---|
| One bedroom (12×12)144 sq ft | $300–$430 | $300–$560 | $380–$715 |
| Living room (15×20)300 sq ft | $480–$900 | $625–$1,175 | $790–$1,475 |
| Small apartment800 sq ft | $1,275–$2,400 | $1,675–$3,125 | $2,100–$3,950 |
| Average home1,500 sq ft | $2,400–$4,500 | $3,125–$5,850 | $3,950–$7,425 |
| Large home2,500 sq ft | $4,000–$7,500 | $5,200–$9,750 | $6,600–$12,375 |
Assumes 8 ft ceilings, walls in good condition, and standard paint. Change any of these in the calculator to see your own numbers.
What drives the cost of painting interior walls
Labor is usually the biggest part of a painting bill, often well over half. That's why the amount of prep and the number of surfaces matter more to the final price than the paint brand. Paint and supplies make up the rest.
Walls are the fastest surface to paint. Ceilings take extra effort because painters roll overhead and need even coverage. Trim, doors, and baseboards take the most time per square foot because they're cut in by hand and often need more than one coat. That's why the calculator adds about 30% for ceilings, and about 65% when trim and doors are included too.
Condition matters as well. Filling holes and cracks, sanding, priming stains, and switching from a dark color to a light one all add hours before the first finish coat goes on.
Ways to lower your interior painting bill
Get three quotes that list the same scope, number of coats, and paint line so you're comparing like with like. Ask what's included: moving furniture, protecting floors, patching, and cleanup.
You can save real money by clearing the room, taking down wall hangings, and removing outlet covers before the crew arrives. In many areas, painters are less busy in late fall and winter and may quote lower prices then. Sticking to one or two colors also cuts down on cutting in and setup.
Interior painting cost: common questions
How much does it cost to paint the interior of a house?
For a 1,500 sq ft home, expect about $2,400 to $7,400 depending on what gets painted. Walls only sits at the low end, and walls, ceilings, and trim together sit at the high end. Heavy prep, tall ceilings, and premium paint raise the price further.
How much does it cost to paint a room?
A typical 12×12 bedroom often runs about $300 to $600 with walls and ceiling, depending on trim and prep. Many painters have a minimum charge, so a single small room can cost nearly as much per square foot as a larger job.
How much do painters charge per square foot?
This calculator uses roughly $1.60 to $3.00 per square foot of floor area for walls only, rising when ceilings and trim are included. Some painters quote by wall area instead, often somewhere around $1 to $4 per square foot of wall.
Do painters charge by the hour or by the job?
Most quote a flat price for the job based on size and scope. Some charge hourly for small jobs and repairs, often somewhere around $30 to $75 per hour per painter. A written quote should say which method applies.
Does the price include paint?
Most quotes include paint and supplies, but confirm it and ask for the brand, product line, and number of coats. Paint quality changes the total by a modest amount because labor makes up most of the bill.
Is it cheaper to paint the inside of my house myself?
Painting yourself saves the labor cost, but a few rooms can take several weekends, and ceilings, trim, and high walls are slower and harder than they look. A common middle path is hiring out ceilings, stairwells, and tall walls while you paint simple rooms yourself.
Does changing to a very different color cost more?
It can. Going from a dark color to a light one usually needs primer and an extra coat, which adds time. Most rooms need two finish coats regardless. Choose "Some prep" in the calculator to account for the extra work.
How often should I repaint interior walls?
Most living areas need repainting every 5 to 10 years. Kitchens, bathrooms, kids' rooms, and hallways may need it sooner because of moisture, scuffs, and frequent cleaning.
Is this calculator's result a firm quote?
No. It gives a ballpark based on typical US rates, and local prices vary. A final price comes from a painter after they see the rooms or photos of them.