
Paint cans are a very common container in our daily lives. While they are most commonly used for transporting and storing paint, there is more to them than meets the eye. Bijvoorbeeld, an artist used some paint cans of different sizes to make a series of handicrafts, or to accommodate other things according to the characteristics of the material and size of the paint cans. According to incomplete statistics, it can hold more than 800,000 kinds of things ( Hardware, liquids, gardening supplies and even food can be used). Have you ever seen people using new paint jars of different sizes to grow vegetables and fruits? What they do is so surprising.
What materials are paint cans made of?
Before we understand the dimensions of paint cans, we first know what materials common paint cans are made of
Metal paint can
Metal paint cans are the most durable type, but they are also heavier. They are usually made of tin or aluminum and have an anti-rust coating. Metal paint cans are suitable for applications that are subject to a lot of wear and tear, such as those found on construction sites or in industrial environments.
Plastic paint can
Plastic paint cans are lighter than metal paint cans, but they are easily damaged. They are usually made of polyethylene or polypropylene and have leak-proof seals. Plastic paint cans are suitable for work scenarios that require portability and ease of use, such as home decoration, painting, enz.
Mixing paint cans
This innovative container is made of polypropylene, with a tin-plated steel sealing ring and metal lid. The inner wall is coated with an anti-corrosion and leak-proof epoxy resin coating. It is mainly used to store paint, colorants and water-based paints.
What size are paint cans
The size of a paint can is mainly the size and shape of the container. For the sake of simplicity, we have listed the common sizes and uses of paint cans.

Paint Can Dimensions
5 Quart Paint Can Dimensions: 9.5″ H x 6.5″ D Ideal for larger projects such as some industrial renovations
1 Gallon Paint Can Dimensions: 7.5″H x 6.6″D Suitable for some home projects like painting walls, floors, enz.
Half Gallon Paint Can Dimensions: 5.4″ H x 5.9″ D Suitable for some furniture, kitchen renovation projects
1 quart paint can size: 4.875″ high x 4.25″ deep, suitable for some door, window and decoration projects
1 Pint Paint Can Dimensions: 3.99″ H x 3.5″ D, ideal for detail work on refinishing projects
Half-pint paint can measures: 3″ high x 2.88″ deep, ideal for refinishing small areas or trying out new colors for a renovation project
How to choose the right paint can size?
Choosing the right paint can size depends on the needs of the project. Here’s how:
Measure the area to be painted
First, you need to measure the area to be painted. It’s important to know how big your workspace is and whether you need multiple coats to achieve the desired coverage.
Choose the type of paint
Different paints (Bijv., primer, mat, gloss) have different covering abilities and require different amounts.
Leave room for touch-ups
It’s recommended to have extra paint for later touch-ups to avoid running out of paint.
How much paint coverage does each can have?
“How big an area can this can of paint cover?” – This is the question that many people are most concerned about when painting a room. Choosing the right size of paint can can not only avoid waste, but also avoid the embarrassment of not having enough paint halfway through.
Coverage area of common paint cans
The coverage capacity of paint is usually expressed in “square feet per gallon” (sq ft/gal). The following data is based on the coverage of standard paint (single coat), and the actual amount may vary slightly depending on the wall condition and painting method:
Paint can capacity | Can cover area (single layer) | How big a room is it equivalent to? |
---|---|---|
5-quart can | ≈ 437 square feet | About 15×29 feet (medium-sized living room) |
1-gallon can | ≈ 350 square feet | About 14×25 feet (master bedroom) |
Half-gallon can | ≈ 175 square feet | About 10×17 feet (children’s room) |
1-quart can | ≈ 87.5 square feet | About 7×12 feet (bathroom) |
1-pint can | ≈ 43.7 square feet | About 5×8 feet (small storage room) |
Half-pint can | ≈ 21.8 square feet | About 4×5 feet (door or small cabinet) |
Safe use of paint cans
Last but not least, paint itself is harmful to our human body, so we should pay attention to the following safety precautions before and after using paint cans:
- Always store paint cans in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
- Please read the instructions of the paint carefully before using the paint can.
- When using paint cans, please wear gloves and a mask to prevent the paint from coming into contact with your skin and respiratory tract.
- After using the paint cans, they need to be disposed of properly to avoid polluting the environment.
FANXUN is committed to providing users with the right answers they need. With decades of experience in the can industry, our mission is to share our knowledge and provide answers to those who need them. I hope this article was helpful to you, if you still have some questions, please feel free to contact our expert team!