Wood Fence Stain Calculator - 2026 Exact Gallons & Coverage Estimator

Our Wood Fence Stain Calculator helps homeowners and contractors quickly estimate how much stain is needed for a fencing project, saving both time and money. By factoring in fence length, height, number of sides, and stain type, a Fence Stain Calculator provides a more accurate coverage estimate than guesswork or generic charts. This is especially useful when planning larger projects, comparing oil-based versus water-based stains, or budgeting for materials before starting the job. Using a Fence Stain Calculator reduces the risk of running short mid-project or overbuying stain, making it an essential planning tool for any fence staining project.

How Much Stain Do I Need? (Calculator Below)

Linear Feet Height (ft) Coat Sides Application Fence Type Sort by Total Cost

Before You Hire: Key Questions

How do I calculate how much fence stain do I need?

Step 1: Measure square footageOne side sq ft = (linear feet × fence height in ft)Both sides sq ft = (linear feet × height × 2)Step 2: Multiply by coatsTotal sq ft = (sq ft × number of coats)Step 3: Convert to gallonsGallons needed = (total sq ft ÷ coverage per gallon)Add ~10% extra for waste/rough wood/absorption.

How much does a 5 gallon of stain cover?

Per one coat:Oil-based: 5 × 125 = 625 sq ftWater-based: 5 × 200 = 1,000 sq ftBEHR baseline: 5 × 150 = 750 sq ftFor two coats (same bucket, but you’re covering the surface twice, so coverage is effectively halved):Oil-based: ~312 sq ftWater-based: ~500 sq ftBEHR baseline: ~375 sq ft

How much to stain 400 feet of fence?

If your fence is 6 ft tallOne side area: 400 × 6 = 2,400 sq ft Both sides area: 2,400 × 2 = 4,800 sq ft Both sides, 2 coats: 4,800 × 2 = 9,600 sq ftGallons needed (before extra):Oil-based (125): 9,600 ÷ 125 = 76.8 galWater-based (200): 9,600 ÷ 200 = 48 galBEHR baseline (150): 9,600 ÷ 150 = 64 galAdd ~10% extra (recommended):Oil-based: ~85 galWater-based: ~53 galBEHR baseline: ~71 galIf you’re staining only one side, 2 coats: total is 4,800 sq ft → roughly 39 gal oil / 24 gal water / 32 gal BEHR (+10% extra).

How many gallons of stain would be needed for a 170 fence?

ssuming 170 linear feet, 6 ft tall.One side area: 170 × 6 = 1,020 sq ft Both sides, 2 coats: 1,020 × 2 sides × 2 coats = 4,080 sq ftGallons needed (before extra):Oil-based (125): 4,080 ÷ 125 = 32.64 galWater-based (200): 4,080 ÷ 200 = 20.4 galBEHR baseline (150): 4,080 ÷ 150 = 27.2 galAdd ~10% extra:Oil-based: ~36 galWater-based: ~23 galBEHR baseline: ~30 galIf staining one side only, 2 coats: total is 2,040 sq ft → ~18 gal oil / 12 gal water / 15 gal BEHR (+10% extra).