Fence Paint Calculator

About Fence Paint Calculator

A fence is calculated as length x height x the number of sides, which sounds obvious but is where most estimates go wrong: people measure the run and forget that painting both sides doubles the paint. A 10 metre fence at 1.8 metres high is 18 square metres on one side and 36 across both. The second thing that catches people out is coverage. This calculator starts at 6 square metres per litre rather than the 10 used for interior emulsion, because rough sawn timber is both porous and textured. A new untreated feather edge or close board fence can take even less on its first coat, since dry timber absorbs the first application almost entirely. Smooth planed timber and previously treated fences sit higher, closer to 8. Method changes consumption as much as the surface does. A sprayer is fast but overspray means more paint leaves the tin than lands on the fence, while a brush works it into the grain and gaps and generally goes further per litre. Gravel boards, posts and the tops of boards all take paint too and are easy to leave out of the measurement.

How to use Fence Paint Calculator

  1. Enter room length, width, and wall height in metres
  2. Set the number of doors and windows to subtract their area
  3. Choose number of coats and see litres and gallons needed

Frequently Asked Questions

How much fence paint do I need for a 10 metre fence?
A 10 metre fence at 1.8 metres high is 18 square metres per side. At 6 square metres per litre that is 3 litres for one coat on one side, 6 litres for both sides, and double again if you are applying two coats.
Should I paint both sides of the fence?
If you own both sides, yes, since untreated timber weathers and warps from the unprotected face. Set the sides option to two, which doubles the area and therefore the paint. Boundary fences are often shared, so check who owns which side first.
How much does fence paint cover?
Around 6 square metres per litre on rough sawn timber, less on new untreated wood where the first coat is largely absorbed, and up to 8 on smooth planed or previously treated timber. Check the tin, since fence products vary widely.
Does spraying use more paint than brushing?
Yes, usually noticeably more. Overspray means a portion never reaches the fence, and spraying does not work paint into the grain the way a brush does. Spraying is faster, brushing goes further per litre and generally lasts longer.
Should I include the posts and gravel boards?
Yes if you are painting them. They are easy to omit from a length times height calculation but they add real area, particularly on a long run with posts every couple of metres.

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