# How Many Coats of Paint Do You Need?

Coats and primer by situation from paint makers' data sheets, recoat times, and how each coat changes the gallons to buy.

Guide page: <https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-many-coats-of-paint/> (published 2026-10-06, updated 2026-10-06). This Markdown version has the guide's key points, outline, FAQs and sources; the full article, with its worked examples and diagrams, is on the page.

## Key takeaways

- Benjamin Moore recommends two coats of its Regal Select paint for full color development, and says previously painted surfaces can take 1 or 2 coats.
- Prime before a drastic color change and over patches, bare spots and stains; Sherwin-Williams says to prime the whole surface rather than spot-prime.
- On new drywall, Sherwin-Williams specifies a primer and two coats; Benjamin Moore's Regal Select is self-priming on drywall, with two coats on bare surfaces.
- Recoat times on these data sheets run from 1 hour to 4 hours at 77 °F and 50% humidity; Benjamin Moore says high humidity and cool temperatures make them longer.
- Each coat is another full layer of paint, so two coats take twice the paint of one.

## In this guide

1. [The short answer: usually two coats](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-many-coats-of-paint/#short-answer)
2. [Repainting in the same or a similar color](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-many-coats-of-paint/#same-color)
3. [Changing color](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-many-coats-of-paint/#color-change)
4. [New drywall](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-many-coats-of-paint/#new-drywall)
5. [Patches, bare spots, and stains](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-many-coats-of-paint/#patches-and-stains)
6. [How long to wait between coats](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-many-coats-of-paint/#recoat-times)
7. [Why coverage depends on film thickness](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-many-coats-of-paint/#film-thickness)
8. [Worked example: one coat vs two](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-many-coats-of-paint/#worked-example)

## Frequently asked questions

### Is one coat of paint enough?

Sometimes, over sound paint in a similar color. Benjamin Moore says previously painted surfaces can be finished with 1 or 2 coats of Regal Select, but recommends two coats for full color development. Bare surfaces and drastic color changes need more.

### Do I need primer if my paint is paint and primer in one?

Often not: Benjamin Moore lists Regal Select as self-priming on most properly prepared surfaces, drywall included. The same data sheet points to special-purpose primers for water-stained, smoke-damaged, grease-stained or very slick surfaces, and a tinted Deep Base Primer for certain custom colors.

### How long should I wait between coats of paint?

Use the recoat time on your product's data sheet. At 77 °F and 50% humidity it is 1–2 hours for Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell, 2–4 hours for PPG Speedhide Lo Lustre, and 4 hours for Sherwin-Williams ProMar 200 Zero VOC. Benjamin Moore notes that high humidity and cool temperatures make it longer.

### How many coats of primer do I need?

Usually one. Sherwin-Williams' specifications for new drywall and previously painted walls call for 1 coat of ProMar 200 Zero VOC primer. Benjamin Moore notes that two coats of its Fresh Start 046 primer may be needed over severe stains.

### Should I prime just the patches or the whole wall?

Benjamin Moore says to prime bare areas before repainting. Sherwin-Williams warns that spot priming can leave the final coat looking uneven, because primed and unprimed areas hold the paint differently, and recommends priming the entire surface.

## Related calculators and guides

### Calculators

- [Paint Calculator](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/paint-calculator/) — Gallons or liters of paint for your walls and number of coats, using the coverage printed on your paint's label.
- [Drywall Calculator](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/drywall-calculator/) — Drywall sheet count for walls and ceilings from room dimensions or total area, minus openings, by sheet size.

### Guides

- [How to Measure a Room for Paint and Drywall](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-to-measure-a-room-for-paint-and-drywall/) — Measure each wall and ceiling, subtract openings, handle gables, slopes, and stairwells, and keep it all on one sheet.
- [Drywall Thickness and Types: Which Panel Goes Where](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/drywall-thickness-and-types/) — Drywall thicknesses and types compared from manufacturer data: uses, weights, ceiling spacing, Type X, and moisture-resistant board.
- [How to Measure an Irregular Area](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/measuring-irregular-areas/) — Split odd shapes into rectangles, triangles, circles, and trapezoids, then average width and depth.

### Buying guides

- [Best Paint Sprayers for Interior Walls (2026)](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/paint-sprayers-for-interior-walls/) — Six airless, HEA and HVLP paint sprayers ranked on published specs for interior walls, with the paint per room and the refills worked out from the paint calculator.

## Sources

- [Benjamin Moore Regal Select Interior Paint & Primer, Eggshell (N549) technical data sheet: coats, priming and recoat time](https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/assets/stage/datasheets/TDS_0549/N549_TDS_US.pdf) — Benjamin Moore & Co.. Used for: Two coats recommended (1 or 2 over previously painted surfaces); self-priming on drywall; recoat 1–2 hours at 77 °F and 50% RH; 45 ± 2% volume solids; 50 °F minimum surface temperature. Checked 2026-10-06.
- [Benjamin Moore Regal Select Interior Paint & Primer, Eggshell (N549) technical data sheet](https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/assets/stage/datasheets/TDS_0549/N549_TDS_US.pdf) — Benjamin Moore & Co.. Used for: 400–450 sq ft per gallon at the recommended film thickness. Checked 2026-10-03.
- [Benjamin Moore Fresh Start High-Hiding All-Purpose Primer (046) technical data sheet](https://media.benjaminmoore.com/WebServices/prod/assets/stage/datasheets/TDS_0046/046_TDS_US.pdf) — Benjamin Moore & Co.. Used for: 400–450 sq ft per gallon at 3.6–4.0 mils wet (1.4–1.6 mils dry); 41 ± 2% volume solids; recoat 1 hour at 77 °F and 50% RH; 40 °F minimum surface temperature. Checked 2026-10-06.
- [Sherwin-Williams ProMar 200 Zero V.O.C. Interior Latex Eg-Shel (B20-Series) product data sheet](https://www.paintdocs.com/docs/webPDF.jsp?SITEID=STORECAT&doctype=PDS&lang=E&prodno=B20W12651) — The Sherwin-Williams Company. Used for: 350–400 sq ft per gallon at 4 mils wet (1.7 mils dry); 42 ± 2% volume solids; recoat 4 hours at 77 °F and 50% RH; drywall: 1 coat primer + 2 coats. Checked 2026-10-06.
- [Sherwin-Williams ProMar 200 Zero V.O.C. Interior Latex Primer (B28W02600) product data sheet](https://www.paintdocs.com/docs/webPDF.jsp?SITEID=STORECAT&doctype=PDS&lang=E&prodno=B28W02600) — The Sherwin-Williams Company. Used for: 400 sq ft per gallon at 4.0 mils wet (1.0 mils dry); 26 ± 2% volume solids; recoat 4 hours at 77 °F and 50% RH; prime the entire surface rather than spot priming. Checked 2026-10-06.
- [PPG Speedhide Interior Latex Paint Lo Lustre (6-3011 Series) technical data bulletin](https://buyat.ppg.com/rep_pafpainttools_files/Pghpaints/TDB/6-3011.pdf) — PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc.. Used for: 300–400 sq ft per gallon at 4.0–5.3 mils wet (1.2–1.6 mils dry); 30% ± 2% volume solids; recoat 2–4 hours at 77 °F and 50% RH; prime bare drywall. Checked 2026-10-06.
- [PPG Speedhide Interior High Build Latex Ultra Flat (6-91 Series) technical data bulletin](https://buyat.ppg.com/rep_pafpainttools_files/Pghpaints/TDB/6-91.pdf) — PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc.. Used for: 200–300 sq ft per gallon at 5.3–8.0 mils wet (1.8–2.7 mils dry); 34% ± 2% volume solids; recoat 2–4 hours at 77 °F and 50% RH; may be used self-priming on new drywall. Checked 2026-10-06.
- [USG Sheetrock Brand First Coat Primer submittal sheet (J1095, rev. 6-21)](https://www.usg.com/content/dam/USG_Marketing_Communications/united_states/product_promotional_materials/finished_assets/sheetrock-first-coat-primer-submittal-J1095.pdf) — United States Gypsum Company. Used for: 180–200 sq ft per gallon at 3–5 mils wet (0.7–1.2 mils dry); dries to touch in under 30 minutes at 75 °F and 50% RH; not a final coat. Checked 2026-10-06.
- [NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C: mil, US gallon and square foot](https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2025/12/30/appc-26-HB44-20251222.pdf) — National Institute of Standards and Technology. Used for: 1 mil = 0.001 in; 1 US gal = 231 in³; 1 ft² = 144 in². Checked 2026-10-06.

**Estimate only.** Results are planning estimates computed from the numbers you enter. They are not engineering, structural, or code advice. Confirm quantities, product yields, and installation requirements with your supplier, the product label, and your local building authority before you order or build.