Fence Paint Calculator
Estimate paint or stain for solid fences, individual pickets, or a measured area. Include one or both sides, coats, posts, extra coverage, can size, and cost.
Coverage must come from the paint or stain label for the surface and application method. Cost excludes labor, preparation, primer, tax, and delivery.
How this fence paint calculator works
Choose solid fencing, spaced pickets, or a known surface area. Solid fencing uses length × height × painted sides and subtracts unpainted openings. Picket mode estimates the number of boards from run length, board width, and gap; enter the actual count when known. Optional post and measured accessory areas are added only once.
Formulas
Solid fence area = length × height × painted sides − openings.
Picket face area = picket count × picket width × picket height × painted sides. When selected, exposed edges add two vertical edges and the top edge of each picket.
Post area = post count × [2 × (width + depth) × exposed height + optional top].
Product required = total paintable area × coats ÷ label coverage × (1 + extra percentage ÷ 100). Whole cans are always rounded up.
Checked examples
| Fence | Assumptions | Result before rounding |
|---|---|---|
| 100 × 6 ft solid fence, both sides | 2 coats, 350 ft²/gal, 10% extra | 1,200 ft² surface; 7.543 US gal; 8 one-gallon cans |
| 100 × 6 ft solid fence, one side | 2 coats, 350 ft²/gal, 10% extra | 600 ft² surface; 3.771 US gal; 4 one-gallon cans |
| 30 × 1.8 m solid fence, both sides | 2 coats, 9 m²/L, 10% extra | 108 m² surface; 26.4 L |
| Measured area 500 ft² | 1 coat, 250 ft²/gal, no extra | 2 US gal |
Important measuring limits
- Use the coverage printed for the exact product, surface condition, and application method. Rough wood and spraying can change real coverage.
- Picket edges include two vertical edges and the top, not the bottom. Overlapped or inaccessible edges should be excluded.
- Posts assume four exposed sides. Put partly hidden rails, gates, caps, and decorative parts in additional measured area.
- This estimates product quantity and can cost, not preparation, labor, primer, repairs, overspray, or structural work.
Frequently asked questions
Does this work for fence stain?
Yes. Enter the stain manufacturer’s coverage and can size. Paint and stain variants are handled on this one page rather than duplicated.
Should I paint one side or both?
Select only the faces that will actually receive product. Picket edges and exposed posts are separate options.
Why can the result differ from a supplier calculator?
Coverage depends on wood texture, porosity, preparation, product, and application. Use the label value and keep a practical allowance.
Related calculators
- Paint Calculator for rectangular rooms and wall openings.
- Fence Calculator for posts, panels, pickets, rails, gates, and material cost.
- Fence Post Concrete Calculator for post holes, displacement, gravel, and bags.
- Square Footage Calculator for measured areas.