How much does interior painting cost per square foot?
Interior painting typically costs $2–$6 per square foot of floor area — walls only at the low end, walls plus ceilings and trim at the top. Measured by wall surface instead, expect $1–$3 per sq ft of wall including labor and paint.
Ranges are typical planning guides — actual price varies by region, access, materials and your local pro. Always get a written quote.
| Scope | Per sq ft (floor area) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walls only | $2–$3.50 | Two coats, standard prep |
| Walls + ceilings | $3–$4.50 | Ceilings add ~30–50% |
| Walls + ceilings + trim/doors | $4–$6 | Full repaint scope |
| Heavy prep / repairs | +$0.50–$2 | Patching, priming, texture |
| Labor only (you supply paint) | $1.50–$4 | Paint is ~15–25% of cost |
What affects the price
Floor area vs wall area
Most quotes are priced per square foot of floor area for simplicity, but the real driver is wall surface — tall ceilings mean more wall per floor foot, so the rate climbs.
Scope of the repaint
Each added element — ceilings, baseboards, crown, doors, windows — layers labor onto the same footprint. Full-scope repaints cost roughly double walls-only.
Paint quality
Contractor-grade paint runs $25–$40 per gallon, premium lines $60–$90. On a whole house that swings the total by several hundred dollars, but better paint covers in fewer coats.
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How much does interior painting cost per sq ft?
Typically $2–$6 per square foot of floor area depending on scope — about $2–$3.50 for walls only, up to $6 with ceilings, trim and doors included.
Do painters charge by floor area or wall area?
Both methods are used. Floor-area pricing ($2–$6/sq ft) is the common shorthand; wall-area pricing ($1–$3/sq ft of wall) is more precise for tall or unusual rooms.
Is per-square-foot or per-room pricing better?
Per sq ft scales fairly for whole homes; per-room flat rates ($300–$1,000) are simpler for small jobs. Get the quote itemized either way so scope is clear.