How Much Does 5L of Paint Cover?
Last reviewed: 9 September 2026
A 5L tin of standard wall emulsion covers around 70 m² with one coat, or roughly 35 m² once you've done two coats. That's based on Dulux's published coverage rate of up to 14 m² per litre for Matt and Silk emulsion, their most common wall paints.
5L coverage by paint type
| Product | Published coverage | 5L, 1 coat | 5L, 2 coats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dulux Matt (walls & ceilings) | Up to 14 m²/L | ~70 m² | ~35 m² |
| Dulux Silk (walls & ceilings) | Up to 14 m²/L | ~70 m² | ~35 m² |
| Dulux Weathershield Smooth Masonry | Up to 15 m²/L | ~75 m² | ~37.5 m² |
Coverage figures from Dulux's published technical data sheets, checked August 2026. Rougher or more porous surfaces reduce real-world coverage by 10-20%.
5L in real rooms
A standard UK room (around 4m × 3m with a 2.4m ceiling) has roughly 30-33 m² of wall area once you subtract a door and window. One 5L tin, at two coats, covers that with very little left over. Bigger rooms, dark-to-light colour changes, or textured walls will need more - see how much paint you need for a room for typical figures by room size, or use the calculator below for your exact dimensions.
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Open the Paint Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
How many square metres does a 5L tin of paint cover?
For Dulux Matt or Silk wall emulsion, a 5L tin covers around 70 m² with one coat or 35 m² with the recommended two coats, based on Dulux's published rate of up to 14 m² per litre.
Is 5L enough to paint a room?
Usually yes, for one standard UK bedroom or living room (roughly 30-35 m² of wall area) at two coats. Larger rooms, or rooms getting a strong colour change, may need a bit more. See our room-by-room guide for typical figures.
Is it cheaper to buy 5L instead of two 2.5L tins?
Almost always. Paint is priced with a volume discount, so a single 5L tin is typically 10-20% cheaper per litre than two 2.5L tins of the same product. Buy 5L if you know you need more than 2.5L worth.