Tools you might need next
Calculate lumber board feet from thickness, width, and length. Free board feet calculator for hardwood pricing, project estimates, and sawmill lumber orders.
Estimate lumber weight by species, dimensions, and moisture content. Free lumber weight estimator for shipping, structural loads, and workshop handling plans.
Optimize plywood sheet cutting layout to minimize waste. Enter part sizes and quantities to plan efficient cuts from standard 4x8 sheets.
Measure all faces to be stained in square feet or square meters. For decks, include railing, steps, and underside if visible. Deduct only large openings, not individual balusters.
Area = Length × Width (each surface)Manufacturer ratings assume smooth, sealed surfaces. Rough-sawn, end grain, and soft porous woods absorb 30–50% more product. Old weathered decks may need double the rated coverage.
Adjusted coverage = Rated coverage × Porosity factorMultiply single-coat need by number of coats. Add 10–15% for brush waste, container residue, and touch-ups.
Total = (Area / Coverage per coat) × Coats × 1.10Updated: July 2026
A 6-foot cedar privacy fence section totaling 200 sq ft of rough-sawn surface. At 150 sq ft/gallon rated coverage with 1.4× porosity factor, one coat needs roughly 1.9 gallons.
120 sq ft of sanded red oak cabinet faces at 200 sq ft/gallon per coat with two coats requires about 1.3 quarts including 10% waste allowance.
400 sq ft aging pressure-treated deck at 100 sq ft/gallon effective coverage (high porosity) with two coats needs approximately 8 gallons for full saturation.
Label coverage assumes ideal conditions. Multiply rated coverage by 0.6–0.7 for rough, weathered, or extremely porous surfaces to avoid running short.
Deck projects often cover only floorboards. Include posts, railings, steps, and fascia — they can add 30–50% more surface area than the deck floor alone.
Running out of stain mid-project wastes time and can cause color mismatches between batches. This calculator estimates stain quantity based on surface area, wood porosity, application method, and number of coats.