How Many Litres of Paint for a 3, 4 or 5-Room HDB Flat (and Per Room)?
For two coats on the walls, a typical 4-room HDB flat needs about 35 to 45 litres of wall paint, plus 12 to 18 litres of ceiling paint. A standard HDB bedroom needs about 5 litres for two coats on the walls. Formula: wall area (m²) × number of coats ÷ coverage per litre.
The formula
- Measure the walls: add up the width of all walls in the room and multiply by the ceiling height (about 2.6 m in many HDB flats).
- Subtract doors and windows: about 1.9 m² per door and 1.5 to 2 m² per window.
- Multiply by coats: usually 2.
- Divide by coverage: most interior emulsions cover 10 to 13 m² per litre per coat. Check the tin. Nippon lists Vinilex 5000 and Matex at about 13 m²/L, and Odour-less All-in-1 at 10 to 12 m²/L.
- Add 10% extra for touch-ups and absorbent walls.
Worked example: a 3 m × 3.5 m bedroom
- Wall length: 3 + 3.5 + 3 + 3.5 = 13 m. Area: 13 × 2.6 = 33.8 m²
- Minus 1 door and 1 window: about 30 m²
- Two coats: 60 m². At 12 m²/L, that’s 5 litres. Add 10%, so about 5.5 litres
Estimates by HDB flat type
| Flat type | Wall paint (2 coats) | Ceiling paint (2 coats) |
|---|---|---|
| 2-room | 15 – 22 litres | 7 – 10 litres |
| 3-room | 25 – 35 litres | 10 – 14 litres |
| 4-room | 35 – 45 litres | 12 – 18 litres |
| 5-room | 45 – 55 litres | 15 – 22 litres |
| Executive / maisonette | 55 – 70 litres | 18 – 26 litres |
These are estimates for typical layouts with standard ceiling height. Larger rooms, higher ceilings, rough walls and dark-to-light colour changes need more.
Per room and per wall
| Area | Paint for 2 coats |
|---|---|
| One feature wall (3 m × 2.6 m) | 1.5 – 2 litres |
| Common bedroom | 4 – 5.5 litres |
| Master bedroom | 5 – 7 litres |
| Living and dining | 10 – 15 litres |
| Kitchen (walls only, excluding tiles) | 2 – 4 litres |
What changes how much paint you need
- Colour change: going from dark to light, or light to bold, may need a third coat
- New plaster or patches: absorb more paint, so use a sealer first
- Texture: rough walls use more paint than smooth ones
- Paint quality: cheaper paints often need more coats for the same coverage
Buying tips
- 5 L tins work out cheaper per litre than 1 L tins
- Buy all tins of a tinted colour at the same time, as batches can vary slightly
- Keep a little leftover for touch-ups, and label it with the room and colour code
DIY or hire a painter?
Paint for a whole 4-room flat is only part of the cost. The rest is your time, tools and the finish. Professional painters buy paint at trade prices and finish a 4-room flat in 2 to 3 days. Compare costs in the HDB painting cost guide, or get up to 3 quotes that include paint.
FAQ
How many litres of paint for a 4-room HDB flat?
About 35 to 45 litres of wall paint and 12 to 18 litres of ceiling paint for two coats.
How many litres of paint for one room?
A typical HDB common bedroom needs about 4 to 5.5 litres for two coats on the walls.
Is one coat of paint enough?
Rarely. Two coats give even colour and better durability, especially with light colours over existing paint.
How much area does 1 litre of paint cover?
Most interior emulsions cover about 10 to 13 m² per litre per coat. Check the product’s data sheet.
