How to use the driveway sealer calculator
- Enter the length and width of the driveway in feet, and any other area to seal.
- Enter the coverage of one gallon per coat from the label. The 80 square feet shown is an example.
- Choose the number of coats.
- Open More options to change the waste allowance, the bucket size and the price per bucket, then read the gallons and buckets to buy.
Formula
area = length x width + other areas
gallons for all coats = area x coats / coverage per gallon
gallons with waste = gallons x (1 + waste)
buckets = gallons with waste / bucket size, rounded up
cost = buckets x price per bucket
Coverage on the label is for one coat on a surface in normal condition for that product. Rough or old surfaces soak up more.
A 40 by 12 foot driveway
The driveway is 480 square feet. Two coats at 80 square feet a gallon take 480 x 2 / 80 = 12 gallons. With 10% waste that is 13.2 gallons, so 3 buckets of 5 gallons, and at $100 a bucket the sealer costs $300.
A 30 by 14 foot driveway with a 60 square foot apron is 480 square feet. Three coats at 65 square feet a gallon use 22.15 gallons, which is 25.48 gallons with 15% waste and 7 buckets of 4 gallons.
Why coverage changes between jobs
The coverage printed on a bucket is a guide. A smooth, newly paved driveway takes less than an old one with open pores and cracks, and the first coat usually takes more than the second. Sealers that include sand are thicker and cover less area per gallon. If you are not sure, buy for a lower coverage than the label.
Weather matters too. Most sealers need dry weather and a surface temperature in a range given on the label, and they need time to cure before cars drive on them.
Prepare the surface
Clean the driveway, fill cracks and remove oil stains before you seal. Good prep does more for the finish than extra sealer. Follow the instructions of the product you buy for primers, edging and cure time.
Related paving and outdoor tools
Estimate new paving with the Asphalt Calculator, a slab with the Concrete Calculator, stain for wood with the Deck Stain Calculator, and fill material with the Mulch and Gravel Calculator.
Assumptions and limits
- The driveway is a rectangle plus any other area you add.
- Coverage is the same for every coat unless you adjust the coats.
- Waste covers edges, spills and the sealer left in the bucket.
- The page does not know the product, the surface or the weather.
Frequently asked questions
How much driveway sealer do I need?
Multiply the area by the coats and divide by the coverage per gallon. A 40 by 12 foot driveway with two coats at 80 square feet a gallon needs 12 gallons, or 13.2 with 10% extra.
How many coats of sealer should I apply?
Follow the product label. Many call for two thin coats rather than one thick one. Enter the number of coats and the page scales the amount.
How many square feet does a 5 gallon bucket cover?
It depends on the product. At 80 square feet a gallon, a 5 gallon bucket covers 400 square feet for one coat, or 200 square feet for two coats.
Why add a waste allowance?
Some sealer stays in the bucket or is lost at edges and cracks, and rough areas take more. The 10% on the page is an example that you can change.