Wood Stain Coverage Calculator

Inputs

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Total wood surface area to coat before multiplying by coat count. Include both sides, rails, pickets, deck boards or panels as needed.
ft²
Pick a typical product family, or choose custom product label if you have a manufacturer coverage rate.
Species changes absorption. Dense closed-grain woods usually cover farther; porous or soft woods usually use more finish.
Rough, weathered and end-grain-heavy surfaces absorb more finish than smooth sanded boards.
Number of full coats over the entered surface area.
Extra allowance for brush/roller loss, sprayer setup, sample boards, touch-up and uneven absorption.
%
Usable finish volume per can, quart, gallon, pail or liter container.
gal
Material price for one container before tax, shipping, tools or labor.
$/can

Results

Default result
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Finish needed (V_need)
6.447 gal
Pass

includes coat count, absorption factors and waste

Also computed

Containers to buy (N_can) Pass 7 cans

rounded up to whole purchase containers

Finish material cost (Cost) 336.00 $

Adjusted coverage (A/V_adj) Caution 136.5 ft²/gal

reduced coverage from species or surface absorption

Total coat area (A_coats) 800 ft²

Purchased volume (V_buy) 7 gal

Leftover allowance (V_left) 0.5531 gal

Method notes 3 notes
  • Finish needed = surface area x coats / adjusted coverage x (1 + waste/100).
  • Adjusted coverage uses Penetrating oil stain base coverage, then multiplies by species and surface factors for Western red cedar and Rough-sawn boards.
  • Actual coverage still depends on product chemistry, applicator, sanding, moisture, prior coating, tint, temperature, sprayer transfer efficiency and test-board absorption.

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