Home & Lifestyle Calculators

To calculate how much paint you need for a room, you'll need to:

1. Measure the width and height of each wall
2. Calculate the total wall area by multiplying width × height for each wall and adding them together
3. Subtract the area of windows and doors (typically about 20 square feet per door and 15 square feet per window)
4. Determine how many coats of paint you'll need (usually 2 coats for most projects)
5. Check the paint coverage on the can (typically 350-400 square feet per gallon for most paints)

For example, for a 12' × 12' room with 8' ceilings, four walls, one door, and one window:

• Total wall area: (12' × 8') × 4 = 384 square feet
• Subtract door and window: 384 - 20 - 15 = 349 square feet
• For 2 coats: 349 × 2 = 698 square feet
• Paint needed: 698 ÷ 350 = approximately 2 gallons

Our Paint Calculator automates this process, accounting for multiple rooms, trim, and ceilings to give you a precise estimate.

To reduce your electricity costs, consider these strategies:

• Identify energy-hungry appliances - Use our Electricity Cost Calculator to determine which devices consume the most power
• Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances - Look for ENERGY STAR rated products when replacing old appliances
• Optimize usage patterns - Run appliances during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower
• Implement simple habits - Turn off lights when not in use, unplug devices that draw standby power, and use power strips
• Improve home insulation - Reduce heating and cooling costs with proper insulation and weatherstripping
• Consider renewable energy - Evaluate solar panels or other renewable options for long-term savings

Our Electricity Cost Calculator can help you understand the impact of these changes by showing you exactly how much each appliance costs to operate. By focusing on the highest-cost items first, you can prioritize your energy-saving efforts for maximum impact.

Determining how much house you can afford involves several factors:

• Income - Your gross monthly income sets the baseline for affordability
• Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI) - Lenders typically prefer a DTI of 36% or less, with no more than 28% going toward housing
• Down Payment - A larger down payment increases your buying power and may eliminate PMI
• Credit Score - Higher scores qualify you for better interest rates
• Additional Housing Costs - Property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, and maintenance add to your monthly expenses

A common rule of thumb is that your home should cost no more than 2.5 to 3 times your annual income. For example, if you earn $100,000 per year, you might target homes in the $250,000 to $300,000 range.

Our Mortgage Affordability Calculator takes all these factors into account to provide a personalized estimate of how much house you can comfortably afford based on your specific financial situation.

To calculate fuel costs for a road trip, you'll need:

1. The total distance of your trip in miles or kilometers
2. Your vehicle's fuel efficiency (miles per gallon or liters per 100 kilometers)
3. The current fuel price in your area

The calculation is:

Fuel Cost = (Distance ÷ Fuel Efficiency) × Fuel Price

For example, for a 500-mile trip in a vehicle that gets 25 MPG, with gas at $3.50 per gallon:

Fuel Cost = (500 ÷ 25) × $3.50 = 20 × $3.50 = $70

Our Fuel Cost Calculator automates this calculation and can also account for round trips, multiple vehicles, and varying fuel prices along your route. For more accurate estimates, consider factors like:

• Highway vs. city driving (highway driving is typically more efficient)
• Vehicle load (carrying more weight reduces efficiency)
• Terrain (mountainous routes consume more fuel)
• Weather conditions (extreme temperatures can affect efficiency)

Scaling a recipe for different serving sizes involves a simple ratio calculation:

New Quantity = Original Quantity × (New Servings ÷ Original Servings)

For example, if a recipe for 4 servings calls for 2 cups of flour and you want to make 6 servings:

New Quantity = 2 cups × (6 ÷ 4) = 2 cups × 1.5 = 3 cups

Our Recipe Scaling Calculator automates this process for all ingredients at once. However, keep these important considerations in mind:

• Spices and seasonings - These often don't scale linearly; increase them gradually and taste as you go
• Cooking times - Larger quantities may require longer cooking times
• Baking recipes - These are more sensitive to exact proportions; scaling by more than 50% up or down may affect results
• Equipment capacity - Ensure your pots, pans, and baking dishes can accommodate the scaled recipe

For best results when scaling baking recipes, consider making multiple batches of the original recipe rather than one very large batch, especially for recipes involving leavening agents like yeast or baking powder.