Acrylic Pour Paint Calculator

Canvas sizes and paint coverage (medium thickness)

Quick reference for common canvas sizes at standard 0.05 oz/sq in coverage:

How paint amount is calculated

Common questions

• How much paint do I need for acrylic pouring?
  Paint needed depends on canvas size, coverage thickness, and whether you want full coverage or partial. A basic rule: 1 ounce of paint (mixed with medium) covers roughly 20–30 square inches at medium thickness. The calculator uses 25 sq in per ounce as a default. For a 16×20″ canvas (320 sq in), you'd need ~13 oz of paint mixture. Adjust down for sparse coverage, up for thick, opaque pours.
• What is the paint-to-medium ratio for pouring?
  Most acrylic pours use a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio (paint to medium/silicone) by volume. A 1:1 ratio creates a thin, flowable consistency; 1:2 is more fluid and spreads farther. Some artists use 1:3 for very thin, transparent effects. The calculator shows all three ratios. Start with 1:1 and adjust based on your desired flow and opacity.
• Can I use any acrylic paint for pouring?
  Acrylic craft paints (like Apple Barrel, Folk Art) work well and are affordable. Professional-grade acrylics (Golden, Liquitex) offer better pigment density and flow. Avoid extremely thick paints (need more medium to thin). Mix paints thoroughly with medium (silicone oil, pouring medium, or water + conditioner) for proper flow. Test on a small surface first.
• What is pouring medium and do I need it?
  Pouring medium (or silicone oil) makes acrylic paint flow smoothly without losing pigment strength. Common options: commercial pouring medium (Liquitex, Golden), silicone caulk (cheap, effective), or water + fabric softener/conditioner. Without medium, paint either stays thick or dilutes and loses color. A 1:1 paint-to-medium ratio is standard; adjust for thinner or thicker effects.
• How do I calculate paint for multiple colors?
  Divide your total paint volume equally or proportionally among colors. If you need 16 oz total for 4 colors, each gets 4 oz. If one color dominates, give it 6 oz and split the remaining 10 oz among the other three. The calculator lets you set how many colors and shows the amount per color. Mix each color with medium separately before pouring.
• Does canvas size affect paint amount?
  Yes. A larger canvas needs more paint. The calculator multiplies canvas area (width × height) by a coverage rate (ounces per square inch). Typical coverage: thin (0.03 oz/sq in), medium (0.05 oz/sq in), thick (0.08 oz/sq in). A 12×16″ canvas (192 sq in) needs ~6 oz at medium coverage, but a 20×24″ canvas (480 sq in) needs ~24 oz.
• What if I want to fill only part of the canvas?
  Use the advanced mode and enter what percentage of the canvas you plan to fill (e.g., 60% for a partial pour). The calculator multiplies your canvas area by the coverage percentage, then by the thickness rate. A 16×20″ canvas at 60% coverage uses 60% less paint than full coverage.
• How do I measure canvas size?
  Canvas size is measured width (left-to-right) × height (top-to-bottom) in inches. A standard stretched canvas might be labeled "16×20" meaning 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall. Some canvases come with depth (e.g., 16×20×0.75), but you only need width and height for this calculator. Pre-stretched canvases, panels, and tiles all work.
• Can I convert the paint amount to ml?
  Yes. 1 fluid ounce (fl oz) equals 29.57 milliliters. The calculator shows both ounces and milliliters. A 16 fl oz bottle of paint equals roughly 473 ml. If the calculator says you need 12 oz, that is roughly 355 ml. Keep in mind that mixed paint (paint plus medium) is larger than paint alone, so a 16 oz bottle becomes 32 oz when mixed 1:1 with medium.
• How do I avoid wasting paint while experimenting?
  Test small canvases (8×10″) first. Mix small batches (2 oz paint plus 2 oz medium equals 4 oz working mixture). The calculator scales to any size; use it for test pours before big projects. Keep leftover mixed paint in sealed containers (it separates but remixes). Buy paints in bulk once you find favorite brands and ratios.