How much paint do kitchen cabinets need?
The amount of paint depends on three numbers: the square footage you are painting, how many coats you apply, and the coverage the manufacturer publishes. The only coverage figure used here comes from the Benjamin Moore Advance Semi-Gloss product page, checked September 15, 2026: 37.2 to 46.5 square metres per gallon, which is 400 to 450 sq ft, with 1 or 2 coats recommended.
Coverage figures assume a smooth, primed surface and a normal film thickness. Open-grain oak, deep colour changes, and dark wood under a light colour all use more.
Gallons needed by cabinet surface area
The table below applies Benjamin Moore's low figure of 400 sq ft per gallon to two finish coats. It is arithmetic, not a promise for your kitchen, and it leaves out primer and waste.
| Painted surface | Two coats equals | Advance needed at 400 sq ft per gallon |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ftVanity or a few doors | 200 sq ft of coverage | About half a gallon |
| 150 sq ft | 300 sq ft of coverage | About three quarters of a gallon |
| 200 sq ft | 400 sq ft of coverage | 1 gallon |
| 300 sq ft | 600 sq ft of coverage | 1.5 gallons |
| 400 sq ft | 800 sq ft of coverage | 2 gallons |
A gallon in Canada is a 3.78 L can, and Advance is also sold in a 946 mL size for small jobs and touch-ups.
How to measure your cabinet surface
Measure before you buy, since a guess in either direction costs money or a second trip to the store.
- Doors and drawer fronts: multiply height by width for each one, in inches, and add them up.
- Double the doors if you paint both sides. The backs of doors are a full second face. See the guide on painting both sides of cabinet doors.
- Box faces and exposed ends: add the face frames, visible end panels, and any island sides.
- Convert to square feet: divide the total square inches by 144.
Raised panel and shaker doors have more surface than their flat measurement because of the profiles. Add a margin for them.
How many coats to paint kitchen cabinets
A durable cabinet finish is built in layers, and each layer has a job.
Prep before any coat
Degrease every surface, then sand so the primer can grip. Oak needs grain filling so its open grain does not telegraph through the finish.
Primer
One full coat of the right primer, plus spot priming over filled areas. Laminate and melamine need a bonding primer. Buy primer by its own label coverage, since it is a different product.
Finish coats
Benjamin Moore recommends 1 or 2 coats of Advance. Two coats is the safer plan for a colour change, a light colour over dark stain, or a busy kitchen. The listed recoat time for Advance Semi-Gloss is 16 hours, so two coats on one side of a door takes more than a day.
Key takeaway: For two finish coats, budget one gallon of Advance for every 200 square feet of cabinet surface, then add primer and a margin for raised panels, both door sides, and waste.
DIY paint cost vs professional cabinet painting in St. Albert
On the Canadian Benjamin Moore site, Advance lists at up to C$109.99 per 3.78 L can in September 2026. Most homeowners who ask whether one gallon is enough are trying to size a DIY budget, which makes the comparison worth seeing.
| Item | DIY | Cabinet Refinishing St. Albert |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet enamel | Bought by the can | Included |
| Primer, filler, degreaser, sandpaper | Bought separately | Included |
| Application | Brush and roller, or a rented or bought sprayer | HVLP spraying in the shop |
| Kitchen out of use | Evenings and weekends until done | 5 to 12 days by kitchen size |
| Full kitchen price | Materials and your time | $3,000 to $8,000 |
| Warranty | Paint maker's product warranty only | 5-year written workmanship |
If you are still choosing a product, the guide to the best paint for kitchen cabinets compares Advance and ProClassic. If you would rather hand off the whole job, kitchen cabinet painting in St. Albert starts at $3,000 for 10 to 20 doors.
Where to get cabinets painted near St. Albert with paint included
Cabinet Refinishing St. Albert gives a detailed written estimate after a free in-home visit, listing prep, products, and labour, and the quoted price is the price paid. There is no can count to track and no second store run. Call or text 587-817-6477 to book.