Bar top epoxy calculator
Enter the size of your bar top, counter or table and get the epoxy for the seal coat and flood coats, edges included, plus the kits to buy.
Enter your project
How it is calculated
A flood coat is a sheet of epoxy of even thickness, so the volume is area x thickness. Table top epoxy self-levels at about 1/8 in, which is why that is the default; for a thicker finish you pour more than one coat.
If the epoxy runs over the edges, the tool adds the edge area (perimeter x edge height) coated at the same thickness. That slightly overstates the edges, which is deliberate: a lot of epoxy drips off them.
A seal coat is brushed or spread thin to stop bubbles from the wood. The tool allows 1/32 in over the top and edges, about 50 sq ft per gallon. Then it adds your allowance and converts: 231 cubic inches make one US gallon.
The coverage check shows how far one gallon goes at your thickness, so you can compare it with the label. At 1/8 in it is about 12.8 sq ft per gallon.
Worked example
A 96 x 24 in bar top is 16 sq ft, and its 1.5 in edges add 2.5 sq ft. One 1/8 in flood coat over both, plus 10 percent, is 1.59 gallons. The seal coat adds 0.40 gallons. Total: 1.98 gallons (254 fl oz, 7.50 L). Buy 1 x 1.5 gal kit + 1 x 1/2 gal kit.
Epoxy gets hot as it cures. Pouring deeper than your label allows can crack, cloud or yellow the resin, and very large masses can overheat. Work with good ventilation and nitrile gloves, and follow your product's safety data sheet.
Common questions
- How much epoxy do I need for a 1/8 inch coat?
- About one gallon for every 12.8 sq ft. That comes from 231 cubic inches per gallon spread 1/8 in thick. Add 10 to 15 percent for edges and drips.
- Can I pour table top epoxy thicker than 1/8 inch?
- Most table top epoxies self-level at about 1/8 in, and many list 1/4 in as the maximum per coat. For a thicker build, pour a second coat once the first is ready, or use deep pour epoxy for anything genuinely deep.
- How many coats of epoxy does a bar top need?
- Usually a seal coat and one flood coat. A second flood coat helps if the first shows dips over open grain or you want a deeper look. Enter 2 coats to see the difference.
- How do I stop epoxy dripping off the edges?
- Let it drip. Put painter's tape under the edges so the drips come off cleanly, and scrape the underside every so often while the epoxy is still soft. Brush the runs up the edges so they coat evenly.
- How much epoxy for a countertop?
- Measure each run of counter, add them up, and enter the total as one rectangle with the same width. Include the front edge height. Seams and backsplashes need a little extra, so a 15 percent allowance is safer on counters.
Related tools and guides
WoodworkingCalc results are careful estimates. Products differ, so use the coverage, mix ratio and maximum pour depth printed on your own product label, and check the numbers against your project before you mix or buy.