How much paint do I need for a 1:48 aircraft?

Not much. A typical 1:48 aircraft works out to roughly 1–1.5ml of paint per colour when airbrushed at 2 coats, because each colour only covers part of the surface. Across 5–6 colours that is about 6–8ml of paint in total, plus thinner. A single 17ml pot of each colour is more than enough to finish the model with paint to spare.

Does airbrushing use more or less paint than brushing?

Airbrushing uses less paint per coat than brushing because it applies thinner, more even layers. However, you also add thinner (typically 1:1 to 2:1 thinner to paint for acrylics), which increases the total liquid volume going through the airbrush. Overall, airbrushing is more economical with the paint itself.

How much primer do I need?

Primer covers the entire model surface, so it uses a little more than a single colour coat. For a 1:48 aircraft, expect to use roughly 2–3ml-equivalent of primer. A single 180ml Tamiya Fine Surface Primer L rattle can will prime many models before it runs out.

Should I thin paint for brushing?

Yes, slightly thinned paint flows better and avoids visible brush strokes. Add about 10–30% thinner for brush painting. Thin enough that the paint flows smoothly but still covers in 2–3 coats. This calculator estimates a fixed ~30% extra thinner for brush mode; use the Thinning Ratio slider to fine-tune airbrush thinning.

ModelCalcs

Paint Quantity Calculator — Paint Needed for Model Kits

Calculate how much paint you need for a model kit based on scale, type and painting method.

Model ScaleLarger scales (e.g. 1:24) have more surface area and use more paint.

Model TypeSets the estimated surface area — ships are largest, figures smallest.

Painting MethodAirbrush is most economical; rattle cans waste the most paint.

Number of Colours

Different paint colours on the model — base, camo, detail and markings.

How We Calculate This

Calculation Method

Surface area estimated from scale and model type (heuristic table, cm²)
Paint per colour = Surface area × Coverage rate × Coats × 40% average coverage
Total paint = Paint per colour × Number of colours
Thinner = Total paint × Thinning ratio (airbrush only; brush adds a fixed ~30%, rattle can none)
Primer = Full surface × Coverage rate × 1.5

These coverage rates are a bench-tested estimating heuristic for the undiluted-equivalent volume, not an exact physical constant — real usage varies with paint brand, spray pressure and how heavily you load each coat. The 40% average-coverage factor reflects that detail and camo colours only touch part of the model, while one base colour covers most of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Paint Mix Calculator

Mix two or more paint colours by ratio to get the exact shade you need.

Thinning Ratio Calculator

Calculate the correct paint-to-thinner ratio for brush, airbrush or spray can.

Airbrush Pressure Calculator

Find the recommended PSI setting for your paint type, nozzle size and technique.

Spray Coverage Calculator

Estimate how much spray paint or primer you need for your model surface area.

Wash Mix Calculator

Calculate the paint-to-medium ratio for panel line washes and pin washes.

Last updated: March 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.