Deck Stain Calculator
Calculate the total deck area and amount of stain needed for your deck project
Calculate Deck Stain Requirements
Floor Dimensions
Railing Dimensions
Steps Dimensions
Stain Requirements
Default: 175 sq ft per gallon
Deck Stain Requirements
Area breakdown: Floor: 0.0 sq ft
Metric equivalent: 0.0 m², 0.0 liters
Coverage: 175 sq ft per gallon × 1 coat
Recommendation: Enter deck dimensions
Project Analysis
Example Calculation
20×20 ft Deck with Railing
Floor dimensions: 20 ft × 20 ft
Railing: 80 ft length × 3.5 ft height
Steps: 3 steps, 4 ft wide, 11" run, 7.5" rise
Calculation
Floor Area = 20 × 20 = 400 sq ft
Railing Area = 80 × 3.5 = 280 sq ft
Steps Area = 3 × (4 × (0.92 + 0.625)) = 18.5 sq ft
Total Area = 400 + 280 + 18.5 = 698.5 sq ft
Stain needed = 698.5 ÷ 175 = 4.0 gallons
Coverage Factors
Standard Coverage
175 sq ft per gallon
Most deck stains
Heavy Coverage
150 sq ft per gallon
Rough or weathered wood
Light Coverage
200 sq ft per gallon
Smooth or previously stained
Stain Types
Oil-Based Stains
• Deep penetration
• Longer drying time
• Better weather protection
Water-Based Stains
• Quick drying
• Easy cleanup
• Less odor
Semi-Transparent
• Shows wood grain
• Natural appearance
• Moderate protection
Staining Tips
Clean and prep the deck before staining
Choose dry weather with temperatures 50-90°F
Apply thin, even coats to avoid lap marks
Buy 10-15% extra stain for touch-ups
Understanding Deck Stain Calculations
How to Calculate Deck Area
Calculating the total deck area involves measuring and adding up all the surfaces that will be stained, including the floor, railings, and steps.
Why Accurate Measurements Matter
- •Prevents buying too little or too much stain
- •Ensures color consistency across the entire project
- •Helps plan project timeline and labor requirements
- •Allows for accurate cost estimation
Calculation Formulas
Floor Area = Length × Width
Railing Area = Length × Height
Steps Area = N × (Width × (Run + Rise))
Total Area = Floor + Railing + Steps
Stain Amount = Total Area ÷ Coverage Factor
- N: Number of steps
- Run: Horizontal depth of step
- Rise: Vertical height of step
- Coverage Factor: Sq ft per gallon (default: 175)
Note: These calculations provide estimates. Wood type, texture, and stain properties can affect actual coverage.