Deck Stain Calculator
Find how many gallons of stain a deck needs, with its railing and stairs, for the coats and coverage you choose.
Change the values and press Calculate to work out your own figures.
Enter the deck's size, and its railing and stairs if you're staining them.
Show the working
- area = deck 240 sq ft
- gallons = area × 2 coats ÷ 175 sq ft a gallon
How to use it
Enter the deck's size, and its railing and stairs if you're staining them.
Lengths can be decimals, fractions or tape entries such as 12' 6 1/2" (in feet or inches). Prices are optional.
Key facts
area = deck + railing length × height + steps × width × (run + rise) gallons = area × coats ÷ coverage
Coverage
Rough or old wood soaks up more: use the low end of the label's range, and test a small area first. Order about 10% extra.
Questions
How much stain for a 20 × 12 ft deck?
2.74 gallons for two coats at 175 sq ft a gallon.
Formulas
area = deck + railing length × height + steps × width × (run + rise) gallons = area × coats ÷ coverage
Sources
Limitations
- Material densities are typical values (the midpoint of the commonly published range); real loads vary with moisture, grading and compaction, so check with your supplier or type in their density.
- Tank results are the geometric volume; real tanks have wall thickness and fittings.