Is it warm enough to paint?
Enter the air temperature and humidity, and get a clear answer for painting a room or the outside of your house, plus how long the paint will take to dry.
Paint temperature checker
Works for interior and exterior jobs. Tap “Use my local weather” to fill in today’s temperature, humidity and rain chance automatically.
Safe painting temperatures
Typical limits for common paints. The label on your can always wins, because some low-temperature formulas work down to 2°C (35°F).
| Paint | Minimum | Ideal | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latex / acrylic (interior or exterior) | 10°C (50°F) | 16–27°C (60–80°F) | 29°C (85°F) |
| Oil-based (alkyd) | 7°C (45°F) | 10–29°C (50–85°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| Humidity for any paint | 30% | 40–70% | 85% |
Check the surface, not just the air
A wall that has sat in cold shade can be several degrees colder than the air. Touch it before you start; it should not feel cold.
Keep 3°C above the dew point
When the surface is close to the dew point, moisture forms on it and ruins the finish. The checker works this out for you.
Avoid painting in direct sun
Sunlit walls get far hotter than the air, so paint dries before it levels. Follow the shade around the house instead.
Give exterior paint dry weather
Most latex paints need a few hours to resist rain and about a day to be safe. Skip days with showers in the forecast.
Warm the room, not just the paint
Indoors in winter, heat the room to at least 10°C for the whole job and for a day after. Keep the cans at room temperature too.
Ventilate to dry faster
Open a window or run a fan when humidity is high. Moving air shortens the time between coats.
Best time to paint by state
Weather-based painting guides. Pick your state to see the best months, temperatures and what to avoid.
Questions about painting temperature
Can I paint when it is 5°C (40°F)?
Standard latex paint needs at least 10°C (50°F). At 5°C only paints labeled for low temperatures, which work down to about 2°C (35°F), are a safe choice. Cold paint cures weakly and can crack or peel.
What is the best temperature to paint a room?
Between 16°C and 27°C (60–80°F) with humidity of 40–70%. Paint levels smoothly, dries evenly and cures properly in that range.
Does humidity matter when painting?
Yes. Above 70% humidity, paint dries slowly and can stay tacky. Below 30%, it can dry too fast and leave brush or roller marks.
How long should I wait for rain after exterior painting?
Most latex paints resist light rain after 1–4 hours, but waiting 24 hours is safest. Check the dry-time section on your can.
Can I paint inside during winter?
Yes, if you heat the room to at least 10°C (50°F) before, during and for a day after painting. Ventilate lightly to let moisture out.