diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.cpp b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.cpp
index 7b962d59ea8..d8ead388183 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.cpp
@@ -468,7 +468,7 @@ void HOT EPaperBase::draw_pixels_at(int x_start, int y_start, int w, int h, cons
                                     ColorBitness bitness, bool big_endian, int x_offset, int y_offset, int x_pad) {
   size_t contiguous_length;
   uint8_t *contiguous = this->buffer_.get_span(0, contiguous_length);
-  if (!this->buffer_is_mono() || this->get_clipping().is_set() || bitness != COLOR_BITNESS_565 ||
+  if (!this->buffer_is_mono_() || this->get_clipping().is_set() || bitness != COLOR_BITNESS_565 ||
       contiguous_length != this->buffer_length_) {
     Display::draw_pixels_at(x_start, y_start, w, h, ptr, order, bitness, big_endian, x_offset, y_offset, x_pad);
     return;
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.h
index 384b9cb0181..37f9a1449a2 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi.h
@@ -38,15 +38,18 @@ class EPaperBase : public Display,
                                          spi::DATA_RATE_2MHZ> {
  public:
   EPaperBase(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence = nullptr,
-             size_t init_sequence_length = 0, DisplayType display_type = DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY)
+             size_t init_sequence_length = 0, DisplayType display_type = DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY,
+             uint8_t bits_per_pixel = 1, uint8_t planes = 1)
       : name_(name),
         width_(width),
+        row_width_((width * bits_per_pixel + 7) / 8),
         height_(height),
+        bits_per_pixel_(bits_per_pixel),
+        planes_(planes),
         init_sequence_(init_sequence),
         init_sequence_length_(init_sequence_length),
-        display_type_(display_type) {
-    this->row_width_ = (this->width_ + 7) / 8;  // width of a row in bytes
-  }
+        display_type_(display_type),
+        buffer_length_((size_t) this->row_width_ * height * planes) {}
   void set_dc_pin(GPIOPin *dc_pin) { dc_pin_ = dc_pin; }
   float get_setup_priority() const override;
   void set_reset_pin(GPIOPin *reset) { this->reset_pin_ = reset; }
@@ -134,8 +137,8 @@ class EPaperBase : public Display,
   bool rotate_coordinates_(int &x, int &y);
   void draw_rgb565_block_(uint8_t *buffer, int x_start, int y_start, int w, int h, const uint8_t *ptr, ColorOrder order,
                           bool big_endian, int x_offset, int y_offset, int x_pad);
-  // Whether the buffer holds 1 bit per pixel as draw_pixel_at() writes it, so draw_pixels_at() can write it directly
-  virtual bool buffer_is_mono() const { return false; }
+  // Whether the buffer is a single plane of 1 bit per pixel, as draw_pixel_at() writes it
+  bool buffer_is_mono_() const { return this->bits_per_pixel_ == 1 && this->planes_ == 1; }
 
   /**
    * Methods that must be implemented by concrete classes to control the display
@@ -173,13 +176,15 @@ class EPaperBase : public Display,
   // properties initialised in the constructor
   const char *name_;
   uint16_t width_;
-  uint16_t row_width_;  // width of a row in bytes
+  uint16_t row_width_;  // width of a row of one plane in bytes
   uint16_t height_;
+  uint8_t bits_per_pixel_;
+  uint8_t planes_;  // the buffer holds this many planes of row_width_ * height_ bytes, one after another
   const uint8_t *init_sequence_;
   size_t init_sequence_length_;
   DisplayType display_type_;
 
-  size_t buffer_length_{};
+  size_t buffer_length_;
   size_t current_data_index_{};  // used by data transfer to track progress
   split_buffer::SplitBuffer buffer_{};
   GPIOPin *dc_pin_{};
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_4bpp.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_4bpp.h
index 6eebe24c91f..3843752f858 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_4bpp.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_4bpp.h
@@ -15,9 +15,7 @@ class EPaper4bpp : public EPaperBase {
  public:
   EPaper4bpp(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence,
              size_t init_sequence_length)
-      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_COLOR) {
-    this->buffer_length_ = width * height / 2;  // 2 pixels per byte
-  }
+      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_COLOR, 4) {}
 
   void fill(Color color) override;
   void clear() override;
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_inkplate2.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_inkplate2.h
index 657eca47590..09926db4ad8 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_inkplate2.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_inkplate2.h
@@ -9,10 +9,7 @@ class EPaperInkplate2 final : public EPaperBase {
  public:
   EPaperInkplate2(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence,
                   size_t init_sequence_length)
-      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_COLOR) {
-    // Dual-plane buffer: black/white plane followed by red plane, 1 bit per pixel each.
-    this->buffer_length_ = this->row_width_ * this->height_ * 2;
-  }
+      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_COLOR, 1, 2) {}
 
   void fill(Color color) override;
   void clear() override;
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_jd79660.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_jd79660.h
index 4e488fe93ec..522950dc77b 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_jd79660.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_jd79660.h
@@ -27,12 +27,9 @@ class EPaperJD79660 final : public EPaperBase {
  public:
   EPaperJD79660(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence,
                 size_t init_sequence_length, const uint8_t *fast_update, uint16_t fast_update_length)
-      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_COLOR),
+      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_COLOR, 2),
         fast_update_(fast_update),
-        fast_update_length_(fast_update_length) {
-    this->row_width_ = (width + 3) / 4;  // Fix base class calc (2bpp instead of 1bpp)
-    this->buffer_length_ = this->row_width_ * height;
-  }
+        fast_update_length_(fast_update_length) {}
 
   void fill(Color color) override;
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_mono.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_mono.h
index 0f570149de4..4dc54ae60ba 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_mono.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_mono.h
@@ -9,13 +9,10 @@ namespace esphome::epaper_spi {
 class EPaperMono : public EPaperBase {
  public:
   EPaperMono(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence,
-             size_t init_sequence_length, DisplayType display_type = DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY)
-      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, display_type) {
-    this->buffer_length_ = (width + 7) / 8 * height;  // 8 pixels per byte, rounded up
-  }
+             size_t init_sequence_length, DisplayType display_type = DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY, uint8_t bits_per_pixel = 1)
+      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, display_type, bits_per_pixel) {}
 
  protected:
-  bool buffer_is_mono() const override { return true; }
   void refresh_screen(bool partial) override;
   void power_on() override {}
   void power_off() override{};
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.cpp b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.cpp
index a79bbc3dc91..ffc5d65a1ed 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.cpp
@@ -58,9 +58,9 @@ bool HOT EPaperSSD1677::transfer_data() {
   // A full update ignores 0x26, and the copy may not hold a real frame yet (first update after
   // boot): send the new frame to both planes.
   const bool send_copy = this->plane_ == 0 && this->update_count_ != 0;
-  // A mono buffer already holds the frame as a RAM plane does, so it can be sent as it is; a deeper
-  // buffer (the four-level model) returns false and packs the plane in plane_row().
-  const bool direct = send_copy || this->buffer_is_mono();
+  // A 1 bit per pixel buffer already holds the frame as a RAM plane does, so it can be sent as it is; a
+  // deeper buffer (the four-level model, 2 bits per pixel) packs the plane in plane_row() instead.
+  const bool direct = send_copy || this->buffer_is_mono_();
   const auto &source = send_copy ? this->sent_ : this->buffer_;
   const size_t row_length = this->plane_row_length_();
   const size_t plane_length = row_length * this->height_;
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.h
index b8c93a1ecb8..d8481b712c7 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677.h
@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ namespace esphome::epaper_spi {
 class EPaperSSD1677 : public EPaperMono {
  public:
   EPaperSSD1677(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence,
-                size_t init_sequence_length, DisplayType display_type = DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY)
-      : EPaperMono(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, display_type) {}
+                size_t init_sequence_length, DisplayType display_type = DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY, uint8_t bits_per_pixel = 1)
+      : EPaperMono(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, display_type, bits_per_pixel) {}
 
   void setup() override;
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677_gray4.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677_gray4.h
index f21ab3eb069..e44fda37c2a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677_gray4.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677_gray4.h
@@ -29,16 +29,12 @@ class EPaperSSD1677Gray4 : public EPaperSSD1677 {
  public:
   EPaperSSD1677Gray4(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence,
                      size_t init_sequence_length)
-      : EPaperSSD1677(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_GRAYSCALE) {
-    this->row_width_ = (width + 3) / 4;  // 4 pixels per byte
-    this->buffer_length_ = (size_t) this->row_width_ * height;
-  }
+      : EPaperSSD1677(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_GRAYSCALE, 2) {}
 
   void fill(Color color) override;
   void draw_pixel_at(int x, int y, Color color) override;
 
  protected:
-  bool buffer_is_mono() const override { return false; }
   // A partial update if partial updates are enabled and this is not a full one.
   bool is_partial_push_() const { return this->update_count_ != 0 && this->sent_.is_valid(); }
   void plane_row(size_t y, uint8_t *out) override;
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_t133a01.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_t133a01.h
index 5d356f90b01..7c14876bafd 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_t133a01.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_t133a01.h
@@ -22,9 +22,7 @@ class EPaperT133A01 : public EPaperBase {
  public:
   EPaperT133A01(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence,
                 size_t init_sequence_length)
-      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_COLOR) {
-    this->buffer_length_ = (size_t) width * height / 2;  // 2 pixels per byte at 4bpp
-  }
+      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_COLOR, 4) {}
 
   void set_cs_pins(GPIOPin *cs, GPIOPin *cs1) {
     this->cs_pin_ = cs;
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_uc8179.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_uc8179.h
index b12ed54ef6d..fda4297802b 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_uc8179.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_uc8179.h
@@ -32,12 +32,9 @@ class EPaperUC8179 final : public EPaperBase {
  public:
   EPaperUC8179(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence,
                size_t init_sequence_length)
-      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY) {
-    this->buffer_length_ = this->row_width_ * height;
-  }
+      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY) {}
 
  protected:
-  bool buffer_is_mono() const override { return true; }
   bool initialise(bool partial) override;
   bool transfer_data() override;
   void refresh_screen(bool partial) override;
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_waveshare_bwr.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_waveshare_bwr.h
index a090faa14d2..d34f05cbb2b 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_waveshare_bwr.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_waveshare_bwr.h
@@ -22,9 +22,7 @@ class EPaperWaveshareBWR : public EPaperBase {
  public:
   EPaperWaveshareBWR(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence,
                      size_t init_sequence_length)
-      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY) {
-    this->buffer_length_ = this->row_width_ * height * 2;
-  }
+      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY, 1, 2) {}
 
   void fill(Color color) override;
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_weact_3c.h b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_weact_3c.h
index a31c2be8176..d3c89851962 100644
--- a/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_weact_3c.h
+++ b/esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_weact_3c.h
@@ -18,9 +18,7 @@ class EPaperWeAct3C : public EPaperBase {
  public:
   EPaperWeAct3C(const char *name, uint16_t width, uint16_t height, const uint8_t *init_sequence,
                 size_t init_sequence_length)
-      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY) {
-    this->buffer_length_ = this->row_width_ * height * 2;
-  }
+      : EPaperBase(name, width, height, init_sequence, init_sequence_length, DISPLAY_TYPE_BINARY, 1, 2) {}
 
   void fill(Color color) override;
   void clear() override;
diff --git a/tests/components/epaper_spi/display/test_buffer_layout.cpp b/tests/components/epaper_spi/display/test_buffer_layout.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..34ffecc28e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/components/epaper_spi/display/test_buffer_layout.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+#include <gtest/gtest.h>
+
+#include "esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1677_gray4.h"
+#include "esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_ssd1683.h"
+#include "esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_spi_t133a01.h"
+#include "esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_waveshare_bwr.h"
+#include "esphome/components/epaper_spi/epaper_weact_3c.h"
+
+namespace esphome::epaper_spi::testing {
+namespace {
+
+template<typename Driver> class Layout : public Driver {
+ public:
+  Layout(uint16_t width, uint16_t height) : Driver("test", width, height, nullptr, 0) {}
+  uint16_t row_width() const { return this->row_width_; }
+  size_t buffer_length() const { return this->buffer_length_; }
+  bool is_mono() const { return this->buffer_is_mono_(); }
+};
+
+/// Each driver's bits per pixel and plane count give the row width and buffer size its drawing code expects, and only
+/// a single 1 bit per pixel plane takes the direct drawing paths.
+TEST(EPaperBufferLayout, SizesFollowBitsPerPixelAndPlanes) {
+  Layout<EPaperSSD1683> mono(21, 3);
+  EXPECT_EQ(mono.row_width(), 3);
+  EXPECT_EQ(mono.buffer_length(), 9u);
+  EXPECT_TRUE(mono.is_mono());
+
+  Layout<EPaperSSD1677Gray4> gray(21, 3);
+  EXPECT_EQ(gray.row_width(), 6);
+  EXPECT_EQ(gray.buffer_length(), 18u);
+  EXPECT_FALSE(gray.is_mono());
+
+  Layout<EPaperT133A01> t133(20, 3);
+  EXPECT_EQ(t133.row_width(), 10);
+  EXPECT_EQ(t133.buffer_length(), 30u);
+  EXPECT_FALSE(t133.is_mono());
+
+  Layout<EPaperWeAct3C> weact(21, 3);
+  EXPECT_EQ(weact.row_width(), 3);
+  EXPECT_EQ(weact.buffer_length(), 18u);
+  EXPECT_FALSE(weact.is_mono());
+
+  Layout<EPaperWaveshareBWR> bwr(21, 3);
+  EXPECT_EQ(bwr.buffer_length(), 18u);
+  EXPECT_FALSE(bwr.is_mono());
+}
+
+}  // namespace
+}  // namespace esphome::epaper_spi::testing