How Much Chalk Paint Do I Need For Kitchen Cabinets? | Smart Estimate Guide

Planning a cabinet refresh with chalk paint starts with numbers. Measure, do the math, and match it to the can’s coverage. The steps and tables below make the list easy.

Coverage At A Glance

Different chalk paints cover different square footage. Use this quick reference for one coat on smooth doors. Always check your can.

Paint & Container	Claimed Coverage (Per Coat)	Notes
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, 1 litre	~140–150 sq ft	Brand page lists ~13.9 m² per litre.
Rust-Oleum Chalked, 1 quart (30–32 oz)	~110–150 sq ft	Technical data shows 110–150 sq ft/qt at recommended film.
Country Chic All-in-One, 1 quart	~120 sq ft	Brand guide lists ~120 sq ft per coat.
KILZ Chalk Style, 1 quart	Up to ~100 sq ft (two coats total)	Label notes ~100 sq ft per quart with two coats.
Typical Spray Chalk Finish, 12 oz	10–20 sq ft	Sprays are best for small touch-ups, not full kitchens.
Generic Chalk Style, 1 litre	120–150 sq ft	Many litres fall in this band on smooth wood.
Generic Chalk Style, 1 quart	100–140 sq ft	Expect the lower end on grainy oak or heavy color changes.

How Much Chalk Paint Do I Need For Kitchen Cabinets?

Here’s the fast formula. Measure the paintable area in square feet, multiply by the number of coats, then divide by your paint’s coverage per coat. Add a 10–15% buffer for touch-ups and losses on edges, grooves, and brush loading.

Step-By-Step: Measure Your Cabinets

1. Doors: Measure each door’s height and width. If you’ll paint both sides, count both. Multiply and sum.
2. Drawer Fronts: Measure height × width for each front. If you’ll remove and paint edges, add those strips.
3. Face Frames: Measure the visible rails and stiles on the boxes. A quick shortcut is to add 15–25% of the door area to cover frames.
4. End Panels & Islands: Measure each panel’s height × width.
5. Don’t Count: Backs inside boxes, hidden sides behind appliances, and the undersides of wall cabinets if you won’t paint them.

Pick A Coverage Number

Use the can’s range. Going light over dark? Lean low. Smooth, light doors? Lean high. Many kitchens land near 120–150 sq ft per quart or litre.

Run The Math

Quarts Needed = (Total sq ft × Coats) ÷ Coverage per quart. Round up and add a small buffer. This keeps you from underbuying and directly answers “how much chalk paint do i need for kitchen cabinets?” in your space.

Worked Example: 12-Door, 5-Drawer Kitchen

Say you have twelve 30 × 15 in doors and five 6 × 24 in drawer fronts, and you’ll paint fronts and backs of doors plus frames.

• Doors (fronts only): 12 × (2.5 ft × 1.25 ft) = 37.5 sq ft
• Doors (backs too): double to 75 sq ft
• Drawer fronts: 5 × (0.5 ft × 2 ft) = 5 sq ft
• Frames allowance (≈20% of door area): ~15 sq ft
• Total one-coat area: ~95 sq ft

Two coats need ~190 sq ft coverage. With a quart rated at 120 sq ft per coat, the math is 190 ÷ 120 ≈ 1.6. Buy 2 quarts (or one litre plus a small jar for insurance).

Close Variant: How Much Chalk Paint For Kitchen Cabinets With Two Or Three Coats?

Cabinets take wear. Most kitchens need two coats of chalk paint for even color and leveling. White over dark oak can need a third pass on the faces. Plan your number now:

• Two coats: the standard for most colors on pre-finished wood.
• Three coats: whites, creams, and soft pastels over deep wood tones.
• One coat: rare on cabinets; works only on small accent pieces or when you like a slightly rustic look.

Many manufacturers say primer isn’t required on most furniture. Cabinets can be the exception when you see tannin bleed from oak or knots. If you spot yellowing after coat one, stop and seal with a stain-blocking primer, then continue.

Factors That Change How Much You Need

Color Shift

Going light over dark uses more paint. Each step toward white adds opacity demands. Budget for an extra coat on doors if you’re chasing a crisp, opaque finish.

Wood Species And Grain

Open-grained oak and ash drink more paint. Maple, MDF, and thermofoil stretch each quart.

Door Style

Shaker rails and raised profiles add grooves.

Prep And Film Thickness

Clean, degreased doors take paint evenly. Thin coats go farther.

Quick Calculator You Can Use Right Now

Grab a tape and a notepad. Work from left to right through the kitchen. Use this template to plug in your numbers.

Item	How To Measure	Your Numbers
Door Fronts	Height × width × number of doors
Door Backs	Same as fronts if painting backs
Drawer Fronts	Height × width × number of drawers
Face Frames	Add 15–25% of door area
End Panels/Islands	Height × width each
One-Coat Total	Sum all rows
Coats	Usually 2; whites can be 3 on faces
Coverage Per Quart	Use your brand number
Quarts Needed	(Total × coats) ÷ coverage

Brand Notes That Help You Decide

Annie Sloan product information lists coverage around 13.9 m² per litre, which is roughly 150 sq ft. That’s generous for smooth doors. Rust-Oleum’s technical data shows a practical range of 110–150 sq ft per quart at recommended thickness. Your real result lands in that band when you brush thin, even coats.

Primer And Topcoat Choices

Most chalk style paints bond well to scuffed or dull pre-finished doors. Skip primer unless you see bleed-through or you’re covering heavy knots. For durability near sinks and pulls, seal with the maker’s clear wax or a compatible water-based topcoat. Pick a low-sheen topcoat if you want to keep that soft matte look.

Sample Scenarios (Use Them As Benchmarks)

Small Galley Kitchen

8 doors, 3 drawers, one exposed end panel. Painting fronts only. One-coat area lands near 50–60 sq ft. Two coats need 100–120 sq ft coverage. One quart rated 120–140 sq ft/coat covers it.

Medium U-Shaped Kitchen

12–16 doors, 4–6 drawers, two end panels. One-coat area often sits around 90–120 sq ft. Two coats: 180–240 sq ft. Plan on 2 quarts.

Large Kitchen With Island

20+ doors, 8+ drawers, panels on the island, frames, and glass-door mullions. One-coat area can exceed 180 sq ft. Two coats hit 360 sq ft or more. That’s 3 quarts or 2 litres for most brands; add a fourth quart for crisp whites.

Pro Tips That Save Paint And Time

• Degrease first. Kitchen oils reduce spread and cause patchy absorption.
• Roll flats, brush details. A 4-inch foam roller lays thin, even coats on Shaker centers; cut profiles with a brush.
• Two thin coats beat one heavy pass. Coverage per quart goes farther and cures harder.
• Watch for bleed. Yellowing after the first coat signals tannins; spot prime and continue.

Final Check: Put Your Numbers Into A Cart

Before you buy, repeat the formula with your notes. Confirm the count of doors and drawers and re-read the can for coverage and recoat timing. Many medium kitchens land at 2 quarts. That answers—how much chalk paint do i need for kitchen cabinets?—and keeps your weekend on track.