How much paint is in a half pan?

A standard half pan holds approximately 1.5 ml of dried watercolour paint. A full pan holds 3 ml. The actual amount varies slightly between manufacturers. Winsor & Newton, Schmincke and Daniel Smith all use standard pan sizes.

How long does a half pan last?

It depends entirely on how thickly you work. Light transparent washes can cover dozens of A4 sheets, so a half pan lasts around 6-12 months at a couple of paintings a week. Heavy, saturated application drops that dramatically — thick layers can use up a half pan in just one or two sheets. Heavily mixed colours like Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna run out fastest; whites and pale earths last longest. (Durability ranges from artist reports on WetCanvas and Artist Forum.)

Are tubes or pans better value?

Tubes are significantly better value per ml of paint. A 5 ml tube costs similar to a half pan but contains 3.3x more paint. Tubes also let you squeeze out fresh, creamy paint for strong washes. Pans are more portable.

Can I refill pans from tubes?

Yes — squeeze tube paint into empty or depleted pans and let it dry between layers. Build up 3-4 thin layers over a few days for a smooth, crack-free pan. This is the most economical way to maintain a palette.

Which colours run out fastest?

Frequently used mixing colours run out first: primary blue (Ultramarine/Cobalt), primary red (Alizarin/Quinacridone) and earth colours (Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber). Consider buying these in tubes and less-used colours in pans.

ArtCalcs

Half Pan Calculator — How Long Will It Last?

Calculate how many paintings you can get from a half pan or full pan of watercolour.

Pan TypeHalf pans hold ~1.5 ml of dried paint, full pans ~3 ml

Usage IntensityLight = thin transparent washes; heavy = thick saturated layers

Paintings per Week

Your typical number of finished paintings each week

How We Calculate This

How Pan Life Calculation Works

Paintings per pan = Pan volume ÷ Usage per painting

A half pan holds about 1.5 ml of dried watercolour, a full pan about 3 ml. How much you use per painting depends on technique: light, thin transparent washes consume only ~0.02 ml (covering dozens of sheets), moderate mixed work ~0.025 ml, and heavy saturated layers or repeated re-wetting can take ~0.75 ml — enough to empty a half pan in just one or two sheets. The calculator divides pan volume by your usage rate to get paintings per pan, then divides by your painting frequency to estimate weeks and months of use. Rates are calibrated to real-world durability reports from WetCanvas and Artist Forum.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.