How to estimate stain for your deck
Deck stain covers far less than wall paint because wood is porous and the boards have gaps and edges. This calculator defaults to 250 square feet per gallon. Enter your deck length and width as the "room" dimensions and set wall height to the railing height, or set it to zero to estimate the deck floor alone.
Most decks take one to two coats. A semi-transparent stain on smooth, previously sealed wood may reach the high end of coverage, while a first coat on bare, weathered wood soaks up much more, so lower the coverage for a thirsty deck.
Coverage cheat sheet
| Surface / situation | Approx. coverage per gallon |
|---|---|
| Smooth, previously stained surface | 350 to 400 sq ft |
| New or bare wood / drywall (thirsty) | 250 to 350 sq ft |
| Textured, rough, or weathered | 200 to 300 sq ft |
| Primer | 200 to 300 sq ft |
This tool defaults to 250 sq ft per gallon for a deck. Change it under Advanced if your surface is rougher or more porous than average.