How Much Epoxy Do I Need for a River Table? 3 Key Factors

For example, you are preparing to make a river epoxy table with a length of 10 inches. At this time, a question will appear in your mind: "How much epoxy do I need for a river table?" If you have enough key parameters about the length, width and height of the table, there is a tool called the deep pour epoxy coverage calculator that will help you calculate the exact amount of epoxy. But below we will guide you to calculate manually, so that if you do not have a support tool, you can still use enough epoxy to pour a resin table. Find out now with Lumber Grand!

How Much Epoxy Do I Need for a River Table?

To answer the question: How much epoxy do I need for a river table? It depends on 3 key factors: the table dimensions, the wood type, and the pouring depth.

To get an approximate epoxy volume, you can use this simple formula to know how to calculate how much epoxy for river table:

Epoxy Volume = (Length × Width × Depth) – (Wood Area)

For example, if you’re making a 48” x 24” table top with a 2” wide river and a 1.5” pour depth:

• Table Surface Area: 48” × 24” = 1152 in².
  

• Estimated Wood Area (assuming 2 slabs, each 10” wide): 48” × 10” × 2 = 960 in².
  

• Epoxy Area: 1152 – 960 = 192 in².
  

• Epoxy Volume: 192 × 1.5 ≈ 1.24 gallons.

Note: These numbers vary depending on the wood's shape, voids, and thickness.

The exact amount of epoxy depends on the dimensions, the wood type and the pouring depth
Photo: BlackTail Studio

3 Key Factors That Affect Epoxy Volume Calculation

Is the calculator 100% accurate? It's good to have a tool to help, but it's only relatively accurate. We don't think you should rely entirely on the tool to pour epoxy table tops. Because there are external factors that will distort this number, such as the type of wood, the style you design and the pouring technique.

If you use the overflow method to let the epoxy flow over the edges to make a river table, you will need more epoxy. You should add 5-10% paint to avoid loss that interrupts the epoxy pouring process. So, how much epoxy do I need for a river table is enough? The factors we mention below will answer this question for you!

1. Table Dimensions

When discussing the standard thickness to make an epoxy river table ideal is 1/16 inch to 1/8 inches. But corresponding to that coverage, you need to determine the specific size of the table top. Larger tables require significantly more epoxy, especially if the river section is wide.

• Small coffee table (36 x 18): 0.5 - 1 gallon.
  

• Medium round dining table (29” diameter, 1.5” thick): 1.3 - 1.8 gallons.
  

• Large conference table (96 x 40): 4 - 5.3 gallons.

Different river table sizes and epoxy requirements
Photo: ©andriiafanasiev on Canva.com

2. Wood Type & Its Impact on Epoxy Usage

Wood choice matters more than you think when you are curious about ‘how much epoxy do I need for a river table’! Some woods absorb more epoxy, while others have large natural voids that need extra resin.

• Highly Absorbent Woods (e.g., pine, oak, cedar): Requires a sealing coat before pouring.
  

• Dense, Non-Porous Woods (e.g., walnut, maple, cherry): Uses less epoxy, minimal absorption.
  

• Live Edge Slabs: Often have cracks, knots, and uneven edges that demand extra epoxy.

If your slabs have large voids, cracks, or bark pockets, you might need 30-50% more epoxy than the standard calculation.

Close-up of live edge wood with natural voids
Photo: Lumber Grand
Shop now: Square Wood Epoxy Resin Table Top 15 Inches

3. Epoxy Pouring Depth

The depth of your epoxy pour is another crucial factor in determining how much epoxy do I need for a river table. A deeper pour means more epoxy.

• Shallow Pours (1” deep): Requires less epoxy and is quicker to cure.
  

• Standard Pours (1.5” deep): A balanced amount of epoxy with minimal shrinkage.
  

• Deep Pours (2-3” deep): Requires much more epoxy and takes longer to cure. These deep pours may even require special epoxy designed for thick layers.

Is deep pour epoxy difficult? It should not be too difficult if you pour in thin layers, slowly spreading the resin out and keep the temperature between 72 and 74°F. You mix the resin and hardener properly in a 2:1 ratio. If you see bubbles during the deep pour, use a heat gun or blow torch to remove them.

Epoxy curing process in different pour depths
Photo: WiseBond®

Cost Estimation: How Much Will the Epoxy Cost?

In the United States, epoxy resin will cost around $12 per square foot. The price of your river epoxy table will vary depending on how detailed you design it. We noticed a post on Quora from a user who constructed a river coffee table for $800. He used black walnut panels (just 1 inch thick) and oak drawers. He said the end table costs around $300.

Larger tables require additional materials, such as epoxy resin and wood. Refer to the example below.

• Small River Table (3 ft x 2 ft): You’ll likely need 1-2 gallons of epoxy, ranging from $60 to $300.
  

• Medium to Large Tables (4 ft x 3 ft or more): Expect to use 3-4 gallons, which will cost you anywhere from $180 to $600.
  

Factors affecting epoxy costs when you need to know ‘how much epoxy need for a river table’:

1. Epoxy resins for river tables or epoxy waterfull tables possess a thicker form and more strength - they generally have a greater cost.
   

2. If pigments or glitter go into your epoxy, higher costs happen.
   

3. About shipping: Epoxy has a lot of weight, so delivery expenses can rise fast, mostly when someone orders from certain sellers.
   

Pro Tip: You can buy in bulk if you’re tackling a larger project! It’s one of the best ways to save 10-20%.

Pro Tips for Efficient Epoxy Usage

After answering your question about how much epoxy do I need for a river table, Lumber Grand gives you tips to minimize waste and save on costs when you use epoxy resin.

• Measure and Mix Precisely: Make certain you measure the resin beside the hardener at the correct proportion, often 1:1, unless the maker tells you otherwise. If you mix too much resin or hardener can result in waste or improper hardening.

• Work in Layers: As we mentioned above, you should pour epoxy in layers so that each layer hardens, which will reduce excess and make it easier for you to adjust the amount poured.

• Use a Helper: Epoxy is hard to spread even by you, mainly on larger tables when you need to figure out how much epoxy to cover a table. You can get help to ensure that the resin is evenly distributed by having one person pour while the other uses a spread tool.

• Control Your Environment: You should work in a place with a controlled climate, where the temperature is between 65°F and 75°F (18°C - 24°C) and the moisture level is low. Great moisture can make the epoxy need longer to dry and it can make the finish bad.

• Seal the Edges: Before pouring the epoxy you put a narrow layer on the edges of the wood to keep air from leaving. It will keep the edges from taking in excess resin in getting the best finish for the epoxy river table.

• Use the Right Tools: You can use a heat tool, to eliminate air, a scraper to level the resin and gear for safety, such as eyewear besides hand covers.

Tips to help epoxy coating last longer on wooden table tops
Photo: ©Thaicha on Canva.com

Explore Lumber Grand’s collection of high-quality epoxy resins to bring your vision to life by visiting our blog.

Figuring out how much epoxy do I need for a river table is essential to avoid running out or overspending. Remember to consider table size, wood type, and pour depth when calculating epoxy volume.