GardenCalcs.uk
Fence Paint Calculator — Coverage Estimate
Calculate fence paint or stain needed to cover your fence panels.
Total fence panels to paint
Number of coats to apply (2 recommended for best protection)
Paint type affects coverage, drying time, and durability
Painting both sides gives maximum weather protection
Height of each fence panel (default 1.83m / 6ft)
Width of each fence panel (default 1.8m / 6ft)
Base paint coverage per litre (default 6 m²/L for water-based)
Size of paint tins available (default 5L)
How We Calculate This
Area = Panels × Height × Width × Sides. Litres = (Area ÷ Coverage Rate) × Coats. Coverage varies by paint type: water-based covers ~6 m²/L, oil-based ~5.1 m²/L (penetrates deeper so covers less), creosote substitutes ~6.6 m²/L (thinner, oilier so spreads further). Rough-sawn timber absorbs roughly twice as much as smooth-planed, so lower the Coverage Rate if your panels are very absorbent.
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard 6ft × 6ft (1.83m × 1.8m) panel is ~3.3 m² per face, so ~6.6 m² both sides. At 6 m²/L that is ~1.1 litres per coat per panel painted both sides.
Ideally yes for maximum protection. At minimum paint the weather-facing side. Both sides doubles the area and the paint required.
Every 2-3 years for water-based fence paint. Oil-based stains and creosote substitutes last longer (3-5 years).
Every 2-3 years for water-based treatments. Oil-based stains may last 3-5 years. Check annually and recoat when the colour fades or water stops beading.
Spraying is much faster for large runs but needs masking of adjacent surfaces. Brushing gives better penetration into the wood grain. A pump sprayer is a good middle ground.
Related Calculators
Gravel Board Calculator
Calculate gravel boards needed to protect fence panels from rot.
Fence Panel Calculator
Calculate how many fence panels you need for your boundary.
Fence Post Calculator
Work out the number of fence posts and spacing for your fence run.
Post Concrete Calculator
Work out how much postcrete or concrete you need for fence posts.
Edging Calculator
Calculate lawn or border edging quantities for straight and curved runs.
Was this calculator helpful?
One tap. Votes are anonymous and carry the page address, your device type, screen size and country, the numbers in the form and the results on screen, so we can check the answer you saw.
Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates based on standard gardening guidelines. Results may vary with soil conditions, climate, and plant varieties.