Fence Stain Calculator
Independent — we don't sell stain · Brand-neutral coverage figures · No email required
The short answer
Plan on 2.6–4.6 gallons per 100 ft of 6 ft privacy fence, one side, on rough-sawn wood — about twice what the can's label suggests, because label coverage is quoted for smooth wood. Hiring it out costs about $3–$8 per foot for one side. Enter your fence below for gallons to buy and both prices.
How much stain for a fence, by length
Gallons for a 6 ft solid privacy fence, one coat, brushed or rolled, with the 10–15% allowance for posts, rails and edges already included. Each row opens the calculator set to that length.
| Fence length | One side, rough-sawn | One side, smooth | Both sides, rough-sawn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | 1.3–2.3 gal | 0.9–1.4 gal | 2.6–4.6 gal |
| 100 ft | 2.6–4.6 gal | 1.9–2.8 gal | 5.3–9.2 gal |
| 150 ft | 4.0–6.9 gal | 2.8–4.1 gal | 7.9–13.8 gal |
| 200 ft | 5.3–9.2 gal | 3.8–5.5 gal | 10.6–18.4 gal |
| 300 ft | 7.9–13.8 gal | 5.7–8.3 gal | 15.8–27.6 gal |
A sprayer adds 20–30% on top. A second coat roughly doubles the figure, though on penetrating stains the second pass often goes further than the first.
Cost to stain a fence: hiring it out vs doing it yourself
Professional rates per 100 ft of fence, cleaning included, next to the DIY product cost for the same fence. Styles are priced at their usual height — privacy and board-on-board at 6 ft, picket at 4 ft.
| Fence (100 ft) | Hired, one side | Hired, both sides | DIY stain, one side |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid privacy / stockade · 6 ft | $300–$800 | $500–$1,200 | $79–$276 |
| Board-on-board or shadowbox · 6 ft | $400–$1,400 | $667–$2,100 | $99–$345 |
| Horizontal slat · 6 ft | $300–$800 | $500–$1,200 | $79–$276 |
| Spaced picket · 4 ft | $200–$500 | $333–$750 | $34–$120 |
The gap between the two columns is almost all labour, and on a fence the labour is mostly preparation: cleaning, brightening, letting it dry for a couple of days, masking plants and the house. Board-on-board and shadowbox cost far more to stain than they look, because every overlapping edge has to be reached.
A quote for fence staining should say whether cleaning is included, which product and colour, how many coats, and which sides. Decide whether to stain at all before pricing it.
Why the can's coverage figure is wrong for a fence
Stain labels quote coverage for smooth, planed lumber — often 300 to 400 square feet per gallon. Fence boards are almost never that. Rough-sawn cedar and pine, and any fence that has weathered grey, soak up stain like a sponge on the first coat: rough-sawn or weathered runs 150–250 sq ft per gallon; smooth or planed runs 250–350 sq ft per gallon.
Three other things are rarely counted. Posts, rails and board edges add 10–15% to the face area. A sprayer loses 20–30% as overspray. And a fence stained on both sides is exactly twice the job, not a little more. The calculator includes all three, which is why its figure is higher than a quick sums-on-the-can estimate — and why people who use it don't run out with 30 feet to go.
Keep going
Frequently asked questions
- How much stain do I need for a fence?
- About 2.6–4.6 gallons per 100 ft of 6 ft privacy fence, one side, on rough-sawn wood. Double it for both sides.
- How many gallons of stain for a 150 ft fence?
- About 4.0–6.9 gallons for one side of a 6 ft fence, 7.9–13.8 for both. Buy 7.
- How much does it cost to stain a fence?
- Hired: about $3–$8 per foot for one side of a 6 ft privacy fence, $5–$12 for both. DIY: just the stain — roughly $119–$414 for one side of 150 ft.
- Why do I always run out of fence stain?
- The can quotes coverage for smooth wood. Rough fence boards take 150–250 sq ft per gallon, not 300–400, and posts, rails and edges add 10–15% more.
- Does spraying use more stain than brushing?
- Yes, about 20–30% more through overspray. Spraying and back-brushing while wet gives the best finish.
- Should I stain both sides of my fence?
- Ideally yes — one-sided finishing encourages cupping. Most people only do their side; on a shared fence, agree it with the neighbour.