Deck Stain Calculator
Determine how much deck stain or sealer you need for your project. This calculator accounts for deck square footage, wood porosity, number of coats, and different product types.
Deck Stain Calculator
Calculate exact stain quantities based on industry research
Deck Dimensions
Deck Railing
Stairs
Landings
Support Beams
Deck Underside + Structure
Wood & Stain Details
Understanding Coverage Rates
Key Factors That Affect Coverage:
- • Surface Texture: Rough wood uses 50-100% more stain than smooth
- • Wood Species: Softwoods need 2-3× more than dense hardwoods
- • Wood Condition: Weathered wood absorbs 40% more than new wood
- • Previous Coating: Maintenance coats cover 50-100% more area
- • Application Method: Spray wastes 25-40%, brush only 5-10%
Research-Based Coverage Ranges:
- • Solid stain: 200-400 sq ft/gal (first coat)
- • Semi-transparent: 100-650 sq ft/gal (varies widely)
- • Transparent/clear: 150-600 sq ft/gal
- • Oil-based penetrating: 75-400 sq ft/gal
- • Dense hardwoods: 350-450 sq ft/gal (ipe, cumaru)
- • Second coats: Cover approximately 2× first coat area
Important: This calculator uses conservative estimates based on industry research showing field coverage is typically 20-40% lower than manufacturer specifications. Coverage rates account for wood absorption, surface texture, condition, and application method waste.
Want to Learn More?
Coverage rates for solid, semi-transparent, and clear stains with ASTM standards for wood preparation and application.
Read the Deck Stain Coverage GuideHow to Use This Calculator
- Measure your deck: Enter the total square footage of your deck surface.
- Select wood type: Different woods absorb stain differently.
- Choose product type: Select solid stain, semi-transparent, or clear sealer.
- Number of coats: Enter how many coats you plan to apply (typically 2).
Deck Stain Coverage Rates
Coverage varies by product and wood type. Solid stains cover 200-300 sq ft per gallon, while semi-transparent stains cover 250-350 sq ft per gallon.