Both sides, every board
A fence has two faces — the calculation multiplies run × height × 2. Stain soaks in, so coverage runs about 250 sq ft per gallon per coat on rough sawn boards, and rough wood is exactly what most fence boards are. A 100-foot, 6-foot privacy fence is 1,200 sq ft of surface: roughly 5 gallons for one coat.
Spray, then back-brush
A pump or airless sprayer puts stain on a fence five times faster than a brush; back-brushing each board works it into the grain. Stain both faces the same day — sealing one side and not the other traps moisture inside the board and warps it.
Sources and standards
Where these figures come from
Every formula on this page is implemented from the published reference material below. Where a value depends on a regional code, the calculator lets you override it rather than assuming one jurisdiction.
- American Wood Council — span tables, lumber design values and the Wood Frame Construction Manual.
- APA — The Engineered Wood Association — panel span ratings and sheathing installation guidance.
Figures, formulas and reference tables last verified: 19 September 2026.