How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Ceiling in 2025?
The average cost to paint a ceiling is $250
Painting a ceiling costs an average of $250, with smaller projects starting as low as $150 and more complex ceilings reaching up to $10,000.
Your paint choice, ceiling height, and any specialty equipment can significantly impact your total price.
A fresh coat of paint on your ceiling can instantly brighten a room and potentially boost your home’s overall value.
Hiring a professional painter costs $25 to $75 per hour and ensures an even, high-quality finish.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
A quick ceiling repaint is one of the fastest ways to brighten a room. Most homeowners pay an average cost of $250, although prices range from $150 to $10,000 based on ceiling size, texture, and height. Expect to spend roughly $0.50 to $3 per square foot, with project size, paint quality, and the frequency of repainting all influencing the final bill. Hiring a professional painter achieves a smooth, even coat and helps save time compared to DIY efforts.
Ceiling Painting Cost Factors
Your total bill depends on factors such as project size, paint type, labor rates, ceiling height, and additional extras like crown molding or heavy prep. Knowing these details upfront helps you build a realistic budget.
Project Size
Painting one small ceiling costs less than coating every ceiling in a 3,000-square-foot home, but pros often lower their rates when you give them more square footage to cover. Planning to paint several rooms? Consider bundling them into one job to keep labor costs in check.
Paint Type
The paint you pick matters. Basic ceiling paint runs $20 to $60 per gallon and covers 350 to 400 square feet per coat. Springing for a premium formula costs more upfront, but means fewer coats and longer-lasting coverage.
Labor
Labor consumes the most significant portion of your budget because setup, preparation, and cleanup often outlast the painting itself. Some interior painters near you charge $25 to $75 per hour, while others quote by square footage and roll prep and cleanup into the price. Most professionals also set a minimum fee of $150 to $300, regardless of the job's size.
Crown Molding
If your ceiling sports crown molding, plan on an extra $0.50 to $3 per linear foot. Painting the molding at the same time—and in the same color—keeps those add-on costs low.
Prep Work
Prepping often outlasts painting. Pros tape edges, cover furniture, and shield your floors with drop cloths. You may incur additional ceiling repair costs for addressing cracks, washing textured ceilings, or applying skim coating. Skim coating runs $1.10 to $1.30 per square foot.
Height
Ceiling height changes everything. Standard eight-foot ceilings fall within the lower end of the price range, but anything taller than 10 feet—or vaulted—increases to $2 to $6 per square foot to account for the extra equipment and labor required.
Cost to Paint a Ceiling per Square Foot
Painting a ceiling costs between $0.50 and $5 per square foot, with smaller projects often incurring higher costs per square foot due to fixed overhead expenses. For each additional coat of paint you add, expect to increase your estimate by 50%. Keep in mind that overhead costs, such as travel and supplies, remain constant regardless of project size.
| Square Footage | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 100 | $100–$500 |
| 200 | $100–$1,000 |
| 300 | $150–$1,500 |
| 400 | $200–$2,000 |
| 500 | $250–$2,500 |
| 1,000 | $500–$5,000 |
| 2,000 | $1,000–$10,000 |
Cost to Paint a Ceiling by Type
The type of ceiling can affect the overall cost of painting. Some ceilings require more intricate attention and preparation, which involves a bigger investment of time and materials.
| Type of Ceiling | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Popcorn | $1–$3 |
| Grid or drop tiles | $0.50–$3 |
| Tongue-and-groove | $1.50–$5 |
| Exposed basement | $2–$6 |
| Smooth or flat | $0.50–$3 |
Popcorn
Painting a popcorn ceiling runs $1 to $3 per square foot, and you’ll use a bit more paint to coat that texture. If your popcorn ceiling was installed before 1980, budget an additional $5 to $20 per square foot for the cost of asbestos removal before any paint is applied.
Grid or Drop Tiles
Painting a drop ceiling costs $0.50 to $3 per square foot. Most professionals coat the metal grid and replace stained tiles with fresh ones.
Note: For commercial properties, painting a drop ceiling can void the warranty and may break fire or building codes. Always check with your contractor to ensure there are no possible code violations.
Tongue-and-Groove
Tongue-and-groove ceilings cost $1.50 to $5 per square foot to paint, as professionals must cover every groove between boards. For a 150-square-foot ceiling, expect a price tag of $225 to $750.
Exposed Basement
Exposed basement ceilings cost $2 to $6 per square foot to paint, as they require extra preparation and specialized products. Many homeowners opt for this approach to conceal exposed electrical, ductwork, and beams in one seamless sweep.
Budgeting for Ceiling Painting
Here are some tips to help you save money on your ceiling painting project:
Select standard paint colors to minimize costs.
Bundle multiple rooms to score a better rate.
Handle simple prep tasks—such as moving furniture and taping edges—on your own.
Collect at least three quotes before committing.
Schedule during the off-season for possible discounts.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Expect to pay between $150 and $300 to repaint a bathroom ceiling, depending on its size and any additional preparation, such as mildew cleaning or primer application. Most painters also charge a minimum fee of $150, even for tiny spaces, so the price rarely dips lower. To stretch your dollars, bundle the bathroom with another ceiling or room that needs a refresh—pros can tackle both in one trip, saving you on labor.
Plan on spending $440 to $1,500 to patch and paint a ceiling, with the price depending on the extent of the damage and the materials required. Factor repair costs into your budget first—you’ll need a ceiling pro to handle cracks or water stains before painters arrive. Skipping that step risks an uneven finish and could mean repainting sooner than you’d like.
Most ceilings need two solid coats for an even, durable finish. Those layers cover minor stains and prevent flashing. If you’re hiding dark marks, bold colors, or a thirsty texture, you may need a third coat or a stain-blocking primer first. Taking the extra step up front saves time and keeps the finish looking sharp for years.
When painting your home, tackle the ceiling first, then move on to the walls. Starting overhead lets any stray drips fall onto surfaces you haven’t finished yet, reducing touch-ups and keeping your workflow smooth. With this method, you’ll end up with cleaner lines and a uniform finish throughout the room.
A solid painting quote should clearly outline material costs, labor charges, and exactly what’s included, such as prep, two coats, cleanup, and so on. Look for a timeline, payment schedule, and any warranty details. If the painter supplies materials, the quote should list paint brand, color, quantity, and sheen. Clear line items make it easier to compare bids on an apples-to-apples basis.
One five-gallon bucket covers 1,750 to 2,000 square feet per coat, so allow for 875 to 1,000 square feet if you’re applying the recommended two coats. For smaller jobs, figure each individual gallon covers 350 to 400 square feet per coat. These numbers help you buy the right amount of paint without over-ordering.
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