Go run some errands while your paint coat dries—you have a few hours
You should wait at least two to three hours before adding another coat of primer.
Latex paint requires at least four hours before you can add another coat.
Wait at least eight to 12 hours before adding another coat of acrylic paint.
Oil-based paints require at least 24 hours before you can apply another coat.
Taking care with each step of your home painting project makes all the difference in how the results turn out—and how long your paint lasts. If you’re wondering how long to wait between coats of paint, you’re in the right place.
Most paint needs at least 4 hours between coats, but waiting 8 hours or overnight is even better. Here's a breakdown of how long to wait based on paint type, room conditions, and other need-to-know factors.
There’s no one right answer to how long paint takes to dry. It depends on numerous factors, like the type of paint you use, the number of coats, the kind of surface, and the temperature and conditions of the room you’re painting.
The type of paint you apply makes a major difference regarding the time it takes to dry and be ready for additional coats.
Oil-based paints and primers take approximately 24 hours to dry, and you can typically recoat it immediately afterward, regardless of the sheen level. However, you should refer to the product’s directions for additional specifics.
Latex- or water-based paint drying times vary slightly between paint sheens. Fewer binders, which hold paint pigments together, are present in paints with lower-gloss sheens, affecting the total drying and curing times. Flat or matte paints and primers dry fastest, while paints with higher gloss require a longer drying time before applying the second coat.
When it comes to interior paint, you have several choices, each with its own recommended drying time. Find interior painters near you who can recommend the best paint type and color for your renovation project.
| Type of Paint | Time Between Recoats | Paint Drying Time |
|---|---|---|
| Primer | 2–3 hours | 30 minutes–1 hour |
| Latex | 4–6 hours | 1–3 hours |
| Acrylic | 8–12 hours | 30 minutes–1 hour |
| Oil-Based | At least 24 hours | 6–8 hours |
Most painting projects require two paint coats or more to complete a deep, finished look. The first coat must dry for at least 4 hours before applying the second coat, depending on the paint type and sheen. The second coat will become dry to the touch in a similar timeframe. However, the final coat will need up to one month to fully cure. If third and subsequent paint coats are necessary, wait for the last coat to dry for at least as long as the first coat before proceeding with the next.
It’s no surprise that drying times between paint coats varies between painting a wall vs. painting furniture. The type of painting project affects paint drying times because of variables in paint types and the working environment. Glossy paints, like ones common for painting trim work or cabinets, take longer to dry than flat sheens like typical ceiling paints.
Exterior painting or painting an area exposed to high or low temperatures or humidity levels will also vary drying times, regardless of the paint's type and sheen.
The room’s temperature, humidity, and circulation impact how long your paint takes to dry. Here are a few guidelines:
Tackle interior painting when the temperature is between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but ideally 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you paint when it’s below 50 degrees, it will take much longer to dry. It could take at least 24 hours, even with latex and acrylic paints.
If you paint when it’s above 80 degrees, it can dry too fast, such as before you can even roll it out smoothly.
If there’s a high humidity level, paint can take longer to dry because of the moisture in the air.
Whether you opt for roll-on painting, spray-method painting, or a good old-fashioned paintbrush, there’s no denying that how you apply your paint will affect its drying time. Let’s take a closer look at these two application methods.
The thinner your coat of paint, the less time it takes to dry. If you’re interested in leaning toward shorter dry-time windows, you should apply your interior paint using a paint roller.
Conversely, thicker coats of paint equal longer drying times. If you have the patience for it and time is on your side, you can go ahead and grab a paintbrush to apply your interior paint. Just remember that it’ll be on the longer drying side. Don’t forget to use the correct brush for your task and surface, plus condition the brushes afterward to ensure they last as long as possible.
Spray painting provides the choice to create thin or thick coats of paint—it all depends on how slowly you hover over the sections you’re painting. The more paint you spray onto the surface, the thicker the coat. And as mentioned above, thick coats mean longer drying time. On the other hand, you can spray a thin layer of paint, and it’ll be dry to the touch and ready for another coat in a shorter amount of time.
Your time budget for a painting project also depends on the type of wall or surface you’re transforming. Check out how long you should wait between paint coats on these popular paint spots.
The drying time and time necessary to wait before applying additional paint coats on interior walls depend on the paint sheen, temperature, and humidity in the room. The drying and recoating times for oil-based paints is about 24 hours, while latex paints need one to three hours to dry and four to six hours before it's safe to apply the next coat. Flat or matte paint sheens will dry faster than higher gloss finishes by up to a couple of hours.
You can speed up the drying and recoating process by using fans to circulate air and by reducing the room's humidity. However, you risk creating unsightly paint bubbles by rushing the process.
Most people use low-sheen ceiling paint, which dries quickly and allows recoating after four hours. However, a ceiling with a heavy texture, like popcorn ceilings, can trap pools of paint and require additional drying time before applying a second coat. Wait eight to 12 hours to recoat a heavily-textured ceiling and 4 hours when using matte ceiling paint.
If you’re painting the trim, such as wood trim around your windows and doors, give your first coat at least 12 hours before adding a second coat. Trim paint needs to soak in and harden on the wood, whether it’s real or composite wood.
For the best finish, lightly sand the wall between coats of paint to ensure the second coat adheres and lasts as long as possible. Vacuum the wall with a shop vac and wipe it down with a slightly damp rag to remove the dust before applying another layer.
While most oil-based paints require 24 hours between coats, latex paint drying and recoating times vary depending on temperature, humidity, and air movement. Expect latex matte paints to dry within a couple of hours on warm and dry days and glossy paints drying on a cool and humid day to take up to 12 hours.
If you paint a second coat too soon, your paint won’t adhere well to the wall, and you may get streaks and uneven color. Your paint may start peeling off the wall over time, too. It’s best to remain patient and give your walls ample dry time between coats, ideally eight hours or overnight (or 24 hours if using oil-based paint).
Depending on the surface you’re tackling, here’s how many coats of primer and paint you need:
Painting a wall or ceiling for the first time: You should always use a separate primer, plus two coats of paint. Two-in-one primer and paint products are available, but for best results, use a primer and then a paint.
Painting an already painted wall: No need for primer.
Changing the color of the wall: Two coats of paint is recommended.
Keeping the color the same: One coat is usually enough for a fresh look.
Painting a ceiling: A single coat of paint is enough (after primer if it’s a new ceiling), especially if your ceiling is white.
Painting in ideal temperatures (between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit) with moderate humidity and ample ventilation is the best way for your paint to dry properly. You can turn on box fans and crack open windows to add circulation, but be sure no dust or debris gets on your wet walls. In the end, it’s best to be patient and ensure your paint is fully dry before applying a second coat or moving items back into a room.
No—if you complete a full coat of paint, including painting techniques like cutting in and rolling, you could wait weeks or months between coats if you wanted. For best results, sand the first coat and clean the wall before applying the second.
Generally, interior paint takes up to one month to fully cure. Factors like temperature, humidity, the type of paint you used, and the surface you painted over will affect how long it takes. In particularly dry areas, your paint will cure in 30 days, whereas humid locations may take more than a month. While paint may feel dry to the touch in a matter of hours, it takes much longer for it to cure, so be careful around newly painted surfaces within the first 30 days after painting.
The number of paint coats a professional uses will depend on the surface condition, the type of paint, and the application method. Most paint will require two coats, but painting a textured surface or covering a dark color with a lighter one may require three or more, while a simple refresh with the same paint color may just need one coat.
