Wood Stain Coverage Calculator

Wood stain coverage depends on the porosity of the wood, the type of stain, and the application method. One gallon of stain typically covers 150–400 square feet depending on these factors.

Coverage by stain type. These are baseline rates on smooth, planed wood. The calculator adjusts them for porosity, surface texture, and how you apply the stain, so the rate it shows you will usually differ from the number here.

• Semi-transparent stain: 150–250 sq ft/gallon. Shows the grain and soaks deep into porous wood. Best on new wood.
• Solid/opaque stain: 200–350 sq ft/gallon. Hides grain and behaves more like paint, so it goes further.
• Transparent/clear sealer: 200–400 sq ft/gallon. Little pigment, fastest to apply.
• Gel stain: 100–150 sq ft/gallon. Thick enough to sit on the surface instead of soaking in. Good on vertical surfaces and on woods that refuse to take stain evenly.

Wood porosity matters:

• Softwoods (pine, cedar, redwood) absorb more stain → lower coverage
• Hardwoods (oak, maple, mahogany) absorb less → higher coverage
• Rough-sawn lumber absorbs 20–40% more than smooth-planed lumber
• Weathered/dry wood absorbs more than new wood

Application method:

• Brush: Best absorption, uses the most stain
• Roller: Good coverage, moderate absorption
• Sprayer: Fastest, uses least stain but may need back-brushing

Number of coats: Most projects need 2 coats. The first soaks in, the second evens out the color. On very porous or new wood the first coat can disappear almost completely.

One thing worth knowing before you buy: this calculator charges every coat at the full rate, which is how manufacturers quote coverage. In practice the second coat goes on lighter because the first one already sealed the wood, so on a 2-coat job you will often finish with some left in the can. That is the direction you want the error to run. Running out with one board left to do means a new can, a slightly different batch, and a visible line.

Common project areas:

• Standard deck (12 × 16 ft): ~400 sq ft (deck + railings)
• Privacy fence (6 ft × 50 ft section): ~600 sq ft (both sides)
• Picnic table: ~40 sq ft
• Adirondack chair: ~20 sq ft

Tip: Stir the stain thoroughly before you start and again partway through. Pigment settles to the bottom of the can, and a half-mixed batch lays down a different shade than a well-mixed one. Test on an offcut or a hidden section first. Stain on raw wood looks very different from the sample chip on the can lid, and it looks different again on cedar than on pine.

If you are buying for a small project, remember stain comes in quarts as well as gallons. Four quarts make a gallon, and a quart is usually plenty for a picnic table or a pair of chairs.