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

“How much epoxy do I need for a river table?” is a question that many people are interested in, especially those who want to create an impressive 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 calculator that will help you calculate the amount of epoxy.

However, there is still another way to calculate manually, because the calculator may not be 100% accurate. And more, if you do not have a support tool, you can still use enough epoxy to pour a resin table. Find out now!

How Much Epoxy Do I Need for a River Table?

To answer the question: "How much epoxy does it take to make a river table?", you’ll need to consider 3 key factors: table dimensions, wood type, and pouring depth.

To figure out how much epoxy do I need for a table, you’ll need to think about 3 things:

1. How big is your table?

2. What kind of wood are you using?

3. How deep do you want to pour the epoxy?

The volume of the “river” area on the table top will determine the amount of epoxy needed. To get an approximate epoxy volume, you can use this simple formula:

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” x 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 x 1.5 ≈ 1.24 gallons.

Note: These numbers vary depending on the wood's shape, voids, and thickness. Also, our advice is always to add 10 — 20% extra epoxy to account for spills, uneven surfaces, and edge overflow.

The exact amount of epoxy depends on the dimensions, the wood type and the pouring depth

Credit: Lumber Grand

Order now: Square Epoxy Coffee Table 35" x 35"

Read more: How to Brace a Table Top

3 Must-Know Factors that Affect Epoxy Volume Calculation

Is the calculator 100% accurate? It's good to have an epoxy calculator app to help, but online calculators provide estimates within ±10% accuracy. Because there are external factors such as the type of wood, the style you design, and the pouring technique, we don't think you should rely entirely on the tool to pour epoxy tables.

You should add 5 — 10% epoxy volume to avoid loss that interrupts the pouring process. So, how much epoxy do I need for a river table? The factors we mention below will answer this question!

1. Table Dimensions

The standard epoxy thickness for river tables ranges from 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch. If you're making a big table or want a wide river section, you'll need a lot more epoxy.

Epoxy requirements by table size:

• 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

Credit: Lumber Grand

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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): 

• Require a sealing coat before the main pour

• Absorb more epoxy during application

• Need 20 — 30% additional epoxy

Dense, non-porous woods (e.g., walnut, maple, cherry):

• Use less epoxy, minimal absorption

• Use standard epoxy calculations

• Easier to predict how much epoxy you'll need

Live edge slabs: 

• Holes and cracks in the wood often need extra epoxy to fill

• You might need 30 — 50% more epoxy than you first thought

• Bark pieces that fall out can use up more epoxy than expected

3. Epoxy Pouring Depth

The depth of your epoxy pour is another crucial factor in determining how much epoxy you need for an epoxy river dining table. A deeper pour means more epoxy.

If you’re unsure about the exact amount, you can use a deep pour epoxy calculator to estimate the required volume based on your table’s dimensions and river depth.

• Shallow pours (1” deep): Requires less epoxy and dries faster

• Standard pours (1.5” deep): Good middle ground — not too much epoxy, less shrinking

• Deep pours (2-3” deep): Use a lot more epoxy and take longer to cure. You might need special epoxy made for thick pours. 

Note: Before you pour the deep-pour resin, you’ll also need a seal coat epoxy layer to prevent bubbles from escaping the wood. Thus, you should have calculations for seal coat epoxy to avoid running out! 

Epoxy curing process in different pour depths

Photo: Freepik

Is deep pour epoxy difficult? It shouldn’t be too difficult if you pour in thin layers, slowly spread the resin out, and keep the temperature between 65 — 80°F. You should mix the resin and hardener properly in the correct ratio. 

• Deep pour epoxy: 2:1 ratio (100:44 or 100:43 parts)

• Tabletop epoxy: 1:1 ratio (100:83 parts)

• Always verify manufacturer specifications

If you see bubbles during the deep pour, use a heat gun or blowtorch to remove them.

You might be interested in: How to Refinish Dining Table Top

How Much Does Epoxy Cost to Make a River Table? (Cost Estimation)

Besides the question “How much epoxy do I need for a river table?”, many people are also concerned about the cost of epoxy. A river table’s cost will vary based on how detailed you design it, including live edges, different wood types, or custom epoxy colors. If you make an epoxy table for a dining room, you can spend $400 – $1,200.

Updated epoxy pricing in the US:

• Quality epoxy resin: $90 — $150 per gallon (not $80 as previously stated)

• Budget options: $40 — $80 per gallon (higher failure risk)

• Premium/specialized epoxy: $120 — $200 per gallon

• Cost per square foot (materials): $8 — $25 per square foot

• Installation costs: $2 — 12 per square foot installed

Larger tables require additional materials, such as epoxy resin and wood. You can refer to the example below:

• Small river table (3 ft x 2 ft): You’ll likely need 1 — 2 gallons of epoxy, ranging from $100 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 $200 to $600.

Larger tables will cost more to epoxy than smaller tables

Photo: Lumber Grand

Shop now: Round Wood Epoxy Dining Table 29" Diameter

Factors affecting epoxy costs when you need to make an epoxy river table:

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

2. If you add pigments or glitter to your epoxy, the costs will be higher, but the result will also be unique.

3. If you're planning to buy epoxy tables, they’re quite heavy. That’s why delivery expenses can differ, especially when someone orders from certain sellers.

Heads up: Basic epoxy (under $70 per gallon) fails a lot more often and might ruin your whole project. So, spending more up front usually saves you money and headaches in the long run. Also, you can buy in bulk if you’re tackling a larger project! It’s one of the best ways to save 10 – 20%.

Read more: How Thick Should a Dining Table Top Be

5 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: Usually 1:1 or 1:2 unless the manufacturer tells you otherwise. If you mix too much resin or hardener, it can result in waste or improper hardening.

• Pour in layers: As we mentioned above, you should pour epoxy in thin layers so that it can dry, which will reduce excess and help you to adjust the amount poured. To make the epoxy coat even, you need to use a specialized ruler like a flat, rigid scraper, and a stick to spread the epoxy layer evenly on the surface.

• Control your environment: You should work in a room with a controlled climate, where the temperature is between 65°F and 80°F and the moisture level is low. Great moisture can make the epoxy need longer to dry, and it can leave the finish looking poor.

• 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 may use a heat tool to eliminate air bubbles, a scraper to level the resin, and gear for safety, such as eyewear besides hand covers.

You might like: How to Protect Wood Table Top With 6 Steps

FAQs

1. How do You Calculate Epoxy for a River Table?

To calculate epoxy for a river table, you can follow these simple steps:

• Step 1: Measure the length, width, and depth of the river area on your table

• Step 2: Multiply these three measurements to get the volume

For example, if your river table is 48 inches long, 4 inches wide, and you want it 1 inch deep, that's 48 x 4 x 1 = 192 cubic inches. Divide by 231 to get gallons (that's about 0.8 gallons). Notably, you should buy 20 — 30% extra because wood soaks up some epoxy, and you might spill a little.

*231 cubic inches = 1 gallon

2. How Much Will 1 Gallon of Table Top Epoxy Cover?

1 gallon table top epoxy typically covers 12 – 16 square feet at a 1/8 inch thickness. This coverage rate is a general guideline and may vary depending on the specific product and the shape and contour of the project.

3. How Much Epoxy Do I Need per Square Foot?

The epoxy you need per square foot varies based on the table size and how much river area you have. In general, 1 gallon of epoxy can cover approximately 12 – 16 square feet at a 1/8 inch thickness. However, this is just a rough estimate, so you need to check the product information carefully to know the exact amount. 

4. How Thick Should Epoxy be on a Tabletop?

For most river tables, 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick works well. If you just want to protect the whole table with a clear coat, 1/16 inch is enough. 

For the river part, you can go deeper up to 2 or 3 inches. Yet, anything thicker than 1/2 inch needs special epoxy made for deep pours. The thicker it is, the more dramatic it looks, but you'll use a lot more epoxy.

How Much Epoxy Do I Need for a River Table: Guide Ends Here

For more helpful information, you can visit our blogs and discover how to make a river table epoxy.

Just so you know, depending on the style and the number of layers of epoxy you pour, the time to make an epoxy river table can vary from 3 to 10 days, but it can also take 2 to 3 weeks.

This article answers "How much epoxy do I need for a river table?", which is essential to avoid running out or overspending. To calculate epoxy volume exactly, you need to consider the table size and wood type. Happy crafting!