Fence stain calculator
Work out how much fence stain covers both sides of a run for one, two or three coats, in gallons and 5 gallon buckets.
Stain needed
Enter your measurements and the result updates as you type.
Overview
Stain is bought by the gallon to cover measured square footage, and a fence doubles that area because both sides get coated. This calculator totals both sides of the run, multiplies by the number of coats you plan, and converts to gallons and then to 5 gallon buckets, using your product's rated coverage per gallon.
Coverage ratings commonly run 150 to 250 square feet per gallon for deck and fence stains, so the selected rate matters more than the run length once heights and coats are involved: a 100 foot by 6 foot fence at two coats and 250 square feet per gallon wants about 9.6 gallons, which is 2 five-gallon buckets.
Common mistakes
- Coating a single side in the math and buying half the stain the fence needs.
- Ignoring the coat count, when a second coat is where most of the real absorption and color depth actually happens.
- Trusting the can's coverage figure on raw cedar, which drinks more stain than a lab panel, so build in a little headroom above the rated number.
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Related reading
In-depth guides
Frequently asked questions
How much stain does a 100 foot by 6 foot fence need?
Both sides of 100 by 6 feet give 1,200 square feet, and at two coats with a 250 square feet per gallon rating that is 2,400 square feet of coating, or 9.6 gallons: 2 five-gallon buckets. Raw cedar or a third coat moves the number up from there.
What is the fence stain formula?
Multiply length by height by 2 for the both-sides area, multiply by the number of coats, then divide by your product's coverage in square feet per gallon. Round the result up to whole gallons (and then to 5 gallon buckets) for the purchase quantity.
Why does the fence need measuring on both sides?
Because both faces are exposed to weather and both absorb stain, including the backside that sits in constant contact with moisture and ground splash. Skipping the second side is the single most common stain-quantity error.
What coverage should I assume per gallon?
Deck and fence stain ratings commonly sit between 150 and 250 square feet per gallon, depending on wood porosity and product body. Start at the product's rated number, then lean toward the lower end on raw cedar and other thirsty woods.
Is one coat of stain enough?
Usually not for a first treatment: the first coat bonds into the wood and the second builds the uniform color and film most homeowners actually want, which is why two coats is the common plan and the calculator's default coat count.
Should I buy stain in 5 gallon buckets?
It is usually the cheapest per gallon, but only if the whole bucket gets used reasonably soon, since stain sits and can skin over. The calculator returns the bucket count so you can weigh the 5 gallon price break against the project size.
How much does fence staining cost?
The material is gallons times your stain price, and labor is the hours to prep and apply if you hire it out. Estimate the gallons with this calculator, then apply your gallon price and local labor rate for a cost that matches your plan.
Why does raw cedar need more stain than rated?
Fresh, dry cedar is thirsty: it absorbs a first coat into the end grain and plane surface rather than watching it sit, so actual coverage runs lower than the manufacturer's lab rating. Order from the rated number and keep a quart or more for touch-up after the first coat dries.