Calculate paint and gesso needed for any canvas size
| Paint Type | Coverage | Drying Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | ~350 sq in/fl oz | 15-30 min | Quick layering, mixed media |
| Oil | ~400 sq in/fl oz | 2-14 days | Blending, glazing, detail work |
| Gesso Primer | ~100 sq in/fl oz | 30-60 min | Canvas prep, tooth for paint |
| Size | Area | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 8" x 10" | 80 sq in | Studies, small portraits |
| 11" x 14" | 154 sq in | Still life, small landscapes |
| 16" x 20" | 320 sq in | Standard painting, portraits |
| 18" x 24" | 432 sq in | Landscapes, medium compositions |
| 24" x 36" | 864 sq in | Large landscapes, gallery pieces |
| 36" x 48" | 1,728 sq in | Statement pieces, murals |
Inputs
Result
320 sq in area. Acrylic at 350 sq in/fl oz needs 0.91 fl oz per coat. Two coats = 1.83 fl oz. Gesso at 100 sq in/fl oz needs 3.2 fl oz per coat, two coats = 6.4 fl oz.
Inputs
Result
864 sq in area. Oil at 400 sq in/fl oz needs 2.16 fl oz per coat. Three coats = 6.48 fl oz.
A 16x20 inch canvas (320 sq in) needs approximately 0.9 fl oz of acrylic paint per coat or 0.8 fl oz of oil paint per coat. For 2 coats, you need about 1.8 fl oz (53 ml) of acrylic. You also need about 6.4 fl oz of gesso primer for 2 prep coats.
Apply at least 2 coats of gesso primer to any canvas before painting. Sand lightly between coats with fine sandpaper for a smoother surface. Pre-primed store canvases typically have one thin coat — adding 1-2 more coats improves paint adhesion and color vibrancy.
Oil paint covers slightly more area per fluid ounce (~400 sq in/fl oz) compared to acrylic (~350 sq in/fl oz) because oil paint spreads thinner. However, oil paint requires much longer drying time (2-14 days between coats) while acrylic dries in 15-30 minutes.
Yes, purchase 10-15% more paint than calculated. Extra paint accounts for palette mixing waste, test strokes, touch-ups, and the fact that transparent pigments (yellows, reds) need more coats than opaque ones (titanium white, cadmium colors).
For a circular canvas, the area is π × r², where r is the radius (half the diameter). A 12-inch diameter circular canvas has an area of approximately 113 sq inches — about 65% of a 12×12 square canvas. Our calculator handles this automatically.
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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2026
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