Fence Paint / Stain Calculator
Calculate how many gallons or liters of paint or stain you need for your fence.
Enter fence dimensions and number of sides to coat.
Paint/Stain Needed
Fence paint/stain quantity is calculated from the total surface area divided by the coverage rate per gallon or liter.
Surface Area = Fence Length × Fence Height × Number of Sides
Gallons/Liters = Surface Area / Coverage Rate
Unit conversions:
Imperial: Area in sq ft, paint in gallons (1 gallon covers ~350 sq ft)Metric: Area in m², paint in liters (1 liter covers ~8–10 m²)
Coverage rates by product type:
| Product | Coverage (sq ft/gal) | Coverage (m²/L) |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior latex paint | 300–400 | 7–10 |
| Oil-based paint | 350–400 | 8–10 |
| Semi-transparent stain | 200–350 | 5–8 |
| Solid stain | 200–300 | 5–7 |
| Wood preservative | 150–250 | 4–6 |
Tips:
- Rough/weathered wood absorbs more — reduce coverage estimate by 25%
- Spraying is fastest for fences but uses 10–15% more product
- Two coats are recommended for bare wood or when changing colors
- Best temperature for painting: 50–85°F (10–30°C), low humidity
- Allow the first coat to dry 4–6 hours (latex) or 24 hours (oil) before recoating