Measure and MendStart measuring

Paint

Kitchen cabinet paint

Cabinet estimates fail when a linear run is treated like a wall. A piece-by-piece face schedule makes the included sides explicit and leaves product-specific primer and coating instructions outside the arithmetic.

First answer

Measure each painted face, include both sides only when both will be coated, sum the areas, multiply by coats, and run that net area through the interior paint range.

Run the calculator

Formula or decision rule

sum of (piece width × height × painted-face count) × coats ÷ 400 to 350 ft²/gal
  • A door painted front and back has a face count of two.
  • Edges and detailed profiles are not reliably represented by flat face area; the optional allowance is user-controlled.
  • Use the finish label spread rate if it differs from the typical planning range.

Cabinet piece schedule

Cabinet piece schedule
PieceMeasureFace count
Doorwidth × height1 or 2
Drawer frontwidth × heightusually 1
Exposed box endwidth × height1
Face framesum rail and stile facespainted faces only

Work through the project

  1. Number every removable piece

    Pair the area worksheet with a hinge-side label so doors and hardware can return to the same opening.

  2. Define the painted boundary

    Decide whether backs, interiors, shelves, toe kicks, and exposed ends are included before measuring.

  3. Make a sample panel

    Follow the coating system instructions on one representative surface before committing the full kitchen.

Safety and scope

  • Ventilate and follow product instructions for cleaners, primers, and coatings.
  • Treat unknown older finishes as a testing question before abrasion.

Sources and scope

Source links reviewed July 16, 2026. A review date is not the document's publication date.

  1. Sherwin-Williams: Paint CalculatorNorth America · manufacturer calculator

    Actual coverage varies with surface condition, color change, application, and product label.

  2. National Institute of Standards and Technology: NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B — Conversion FactorsUnited States · government standard

    Code retains exact defining constants where NIST identifies an exact relationship.

  3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Steps to Lead Safe Renovation, Repair and PaintingUnited States · government guide

    Lead rules and certified-contractor requirements may apply; this site does not replace regulatory guidance.