Acrylic Pour Paint Calculator: How Much Paint and Pouring Medium You Need
Calculate total acrylic pour paint mixture, individual paint quantities, and pouring medium needed for any canvas size. Adjust for coverage rate, waste, and paint ratios.
Related Calculators
How Acrylic Pour Paint Is Calculated
Acrylic pour painting (fluid art) requires a pouring mixture of acrylic paint thinned with a pouring medium. The calculator determines how much total mixture you need, then splits it by paint ratio.
Canvas area (in²) = Length × Width
Total mixture (ml) = Canvas area (in²) × Coverage rate (ml/in²)
Per-color paint amount = Total mixture × (Color ratio ÷ Total parts)
Pouring medium = Total mixture × (Medium ratio ÷ Total parts)
Coverage Rate by Technique
Start at 1.5 ml/in² for your first pours; adjust based on your results.
Common Pouring Ratios
These are starting points — experienced pourers adjust ratios based on paint brand, color, and desired viscosity (target: heavy cream / honey consistency).
Worked Example
Canvas: 12 in × 16 in (192 in²) Technique: Dutch pour at 1.3 ml/in² coverage Colors: White, Teal, Gold, Black (1 part each + 2 parts medium)
Total mixture = 192 × 1.3 = 249.6 ml ≈ 250 ml
Color distribution (4 colors + 2 parts medium = 6 total parts): - White paint: 250 × (1/6) = 41.7 ml - Teal paint: 41.7 ml - Gold paint: 41.7 ml - Black paint: 41.7 ml - Pouring medium: 250 × (2/6) = 83.3 ml
Total paint: ~167 ml | Total medium: ~83 ml
Waste Allowance Guidance
Always prepare slightly more mixture than calculated — once you start pouring, you can't stop to mix more without the pour drying.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best pouring medium for acrylic pour painting?
- Floetrol (a latex paint conditioner) is the most popular budget-friendly choice — it creates good cells and flow without silicone. Liquitex Pouring Medium creates a glossy finish with minimal cracking. Golden GAC 800 is preferred by artists who want archival-quality work without yellowing. Silicone oil (2–5 drops per color cup) is added specifically to create the lacing cell effect — it floats on the surface and creates holes in the paint film. Avoid substituting dish soap or vegetable oil, as these cause adhesion issues.
- How much acrylic pour paint do I need for a 16x20 canvas?
- A 16×20 inch canvas has 320 square inches. At a moderate coverage rate of 1.5 ml/in², you need approximately 480 ml of total mixture (paint + pouring medium). A typical 4-color pour with 1:1 paint-to-medium ratio needs about 240 ml of paint (60 ml per color) and 240 ml of medium. Buy paint in at least 2-oz (59 ml) bottles per color; for medium, an 8-oz bottle covers most 16×20 pours comfortably.
- Why is my acrylic pour cracking after it dries?
- Cracking (crazing) in acrylic pours has several causes: (1) Mixture too thick — thin with more medium or a drop of distilled water. (2) Drying too fast — keep out of direct sunlight and drafts while drying. (3) Too much silicone oil — excess silicone prevents layers from bonding. (4) Using cheap craft paint mixed with high-quality paint — inconsistent viscosities create stress lines. (5) Canvas flex during drying — ensure the canvas is flat and fully supported on a level surface. Liquitex Pouring Medium is known for excellent crack resistance vs. Floetrol.
- What consistency should my acrylic pour mixture be?
- The target consistency is heavy cream or room-temperature honey — it should flow slowly from a spoon and trail off in a continuous ribbon. If it drips off fast like water, it's too thin and will run off the canvas. If it holds a peak or doesn't flow, it's too thick and won't create fluid cells. Test by holding a spoon above the cup and letting the mixture run off — it should take 1–2 seconds to break off. Adjust with a few drops of water (to thin) or a bit more paint (to thicken).
Last updated 8/10/2026