Stain Calculator

Estimate how much wood stain and finish you need for interior projects like furniture, cabinets, trim, and floors, then compare costs across four stain types to find the best value.

Stain Calculator

Surface Area (sq ft)

Number of Coats

Waste Factor (%)

Pricing per Quart (edit to match local rates)

Oil-Based Stain ($)

Water-Based Stain ($)

Gel Stain ($)

Poly + Stain Combo ($)

Polyurethane Topcoat ($)

Adjusted Coverage Area

220 sq ft

200 sq ft/gal · 2 coats + 10% waste

Cheapest Option

Water-Based Stain

5 qt · $74.00 total

Purchase Option	Quantity	Est. Cost
Oil-Based Stain	5 qt stain + 1 qt poly	$89.00
Water-Based StainBest value	5 qt stain + 1 qt poly	$74.00
Gel Stain	5 qt stain + 1 qt poly	$104.00
Poly + Stain Combo	5 qt	$80.00

Cheapest option: Water-Based Stain at $74.00Oil-based stains penetrate deeply and enrich wood grain but take longer to dry and require mineral spirits for cleanup. Water-based stains dry faster and are low-VOC, ideal for indoor projects. Gel stain sits on top of the wood, making it great for vertical surfaces and blotch-prone woods like pine.

This is a material estimate only. Actual coverage varies by wood species, porosity, grain pattern, and application method — always check the coverage rate on your product label and round up.