ModelCalcs.uk
Paint Pot Calculator — Army Painting Supplies
Estimate how many paint pots you need based on army size and colour scheme.
How We Calculate This
Estimates total paint volume from model count, surface area and coats, then works out pots needed per colour. No paint maker publishes per-model coverage figures, so the surface-area presets (≈8 cm² for 15mm up to ≈120 cm² for vehicles) and the 0.01 ml/cm²/coat rate are approximate hobby estimates — tune the coverage and pot size under Advanced if your paints go further or thinner.
Formula (approximate)
- Total paint ≈ Models × Surface area × Coverage (0.01 ml/cm²) × Coats
- Per colour = Total paint ÷ Number of colours (assumes colours are used roughly evenly across the model)
- Pots per colour = round up(Per colour ÷ Pot size), minimum 1 pot per colour
Sense check: one colour, one coat over a 28mm figure ≈ 0.2 ml, so a 12 ml Citadel pot covers roughly 60 single-colour 28mm models — in line with the 50-100 range hobbyists report.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 12ml Citadel pot or 17ml Vallejo bottle can paint roughly 50-100 infantry models at 28mm with one colour, depending on coverage area. Basecoats use more paint than detail colours. Washes and contrast paints go further.
Buy your main basecoat colours, a primer, and a wash to start. Add detail colours as you need them. This avoids wasting money on colours you may not use. Most armies can be painted with 6-10 colours.
Two thin coats is the golden rule for solid coverage. Some colours (yellows, reds, white) may need 3-4 coats over a dark primer. Using a coloured primer matched to your basecoat reduces the number of coats needed.
Vallejo dropper bottles (17ml at ~£2.85) offer better value per ml than Citadel pots (12ml at ~£3.50). Vallejo dropper bottles also waste less paint and are easier to use with wet palettes. Both are high quality — choose based on preference.
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.