Fence Square Footage Calculator
Work out how much stain or paint your fence needs.
Your result
Enter your numbers and press the button. Your result appears here.
Square footage is length times height for each side. You need it for paint, stain and sometimes for quotes.
How the gallons are worked out
Area = length × height × sides. Gallons = area ÷ coverage for the first coat + area ÷ coverage for each extra coat.
Example: a 150 ft fence, 6 ft tall, one side, is 900 ft². At 200 ft² per gallon you need 4.5 gallons, so buy 5.
Stain or paint needed at a glance
Worked out with the same settings as the calculator above, changing only the length.
| Length | Surface | Gallons | Painter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | 300 ft² | 1.5 | $300–$900 |
| 100 ft | 600 ft² | 3.0 | $600–$1,800 |
| 150 ft | 900 ft² | 4.5 | $900–$2,700 |
| 200 ft | 1,200 ft² | 6.0 | $1,200–$3,600 |
Coverage on the label
| Product | Coverage per gallon |
|---|---|
| Behr Solid Color House & Fence Wood Stain | 1st coat 200–400 ft², 2nd coat 250–500 ft² |
| Behr Barn & Fence Paint | 200–500 ft² |
Use the low number for rough-sawn or dry wood. Hiring a painter costs about $1 to $3 per ft² (HomeAdvisor).
Common questions
How much fence will a gallon of stain cover?
Behr lists its solid color house and fence stain at 200 to 400 ft² for the first coat and 250 to 500 ft² for the second. Rough or dry wood uses more.
Do I need two coats?
Solid stains and paints often need two coats on new or weathered wood. Semi-transparent stains are usually one coat.
What does it cost to hire someone?
HomeAdvisor puts professional fence painting or staining at $1 to $3 per square foot.
Sources
- Behr, Solid Color House & Fence Wood Stain: https://www.behr.com/pro/products/exterior-products/exterior-wood-stains-and-finishes/wood-stains-and-finishes/behr-solid-color-house-and-fence-wood-stain
- Behr, Barn & Fence Paint: https://www.behr.com/pro/products/exterior-products/exterior-paints-and-coatings/specialty-paints/behr-barn-and-fence-paint
- HomeAdvisor, Paint or stain a fence (repair costs): https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/painting/paint-stain-fence/