> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.paintscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.paintscout.com/support/customization/pricing-and-rates/how-production-rates-are-calculated.md).

# How Production Rates are Calculated

Production rates in PaintScout calculate estimate pricing by combining rate variables (like sqft/hour or $/sqft) with substrate dimensions and coat counts. Understanding these calculations helps you set accurate rates.

## How do rate values and coats work?

Each coat box value represents the rate for painting that many **full** coats. For example, "2 coats" means 2 full coats, not 1 coat plus an additional coat. The rate uses either the item quantity (e.g., 3 doors) or the sqft/lnft of the area, depending on your rate type.

{% hint style="info" %}
Rates with Hours as a variable use your company hourly rate to calculate cost.
{% endhint %}

Many contractors adjust the rate as coat count increases, charging more or less per unit depending on efficiency.

## Example 1: Sqft/Hour

The value under each coat number is the square feet you can paint per hour.

**Example:** 400 sqft substrate at 100 sqft/hour = 4 hours.

400 sqft / 100 sqft/hr = 4 hrs

The rate **decreases** as coats increase because you paint fewer square feet per hour with multiple coats.

## Example 2: Hours/Item

The value under each coat number is the hours needed to paint each item.

**Example:** 3 items at 1 hour/item = 3 hours.

3 items x 1 hr/item = 3 hrs

The rate **increases** as coats increase because each item takes longer with multiple coats.

## Example 3: $/Sqft

The value under each coat number is the cost to paint 1 square foot.

**Example:** 400 sqft at $1/sqft = $400.

400 sqft x $1/sqft = $400

The rate **increases** as coats increase because more paint is used per square foot.

## Related articles

* [Production Rates Overview](/support/customization/pricing-and-rates/production-rates-section-overview.md) — Create, organize, and manage rates, categories, coats, and defaults
* [Understanding Production Rates](/support/customization/pricing-and-rates/introduction-to-production-rate-estimation.md) — See how time-based rates turn measurements into hours and pricing


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