Stain colour mixer
The lumber yard has 24 stock stain colours and you need a slightly different shade. Mixing stain is part art, part science. This calculator approximates a target colour by combining a base stain with a universal tinting colour, then shows you a swatch and a test-sample plan.
Mixer
The art of mixing stain
Stain mixing is subtractive — you're adding pigment to a coloured base, not adding light. Tints at small ratios (under 5%) nudge the colour; at higher ratios they overwhelm the base. Always add tint gradually and stir thoroughly.
The four tints a woodworker usually wants:
- Burnt umber — warm brown; deepens most stains without changing hue much.
- Raw umber — cool brown; gives driftwood / weathered look.
- Lamp black — pure darkening; turns walnut to ebony at higher ratios.
- Van Dyke brown — deep, slightly green-brown; classic antique look.
The substrate changes everything
The same stain on oak and maple looks different — oak's open grain absorbs more pigment, going darker. Maple is so closed-grained that stain barely changes it; you often need dye stain to colour maple. The substrate preview is approximate; your actual wood will tell you the truth. Test on scrap from the same board.
Universal tints vs artist's oils
Universal tinting colours (UTC) are paint-store pigments designed for tinting latex paint. They work in oil-based stain fine; in water-based stain, they sometimes gel. For water-based, use artist oils or Japan colours instead. Test compatibility before committing.
Limitations
- The swatch is a hex approximation, not a real pigment render. Real stain colour depends on wood, finish and lighting.
- Doesn't model colour theory precisely. Mixing complementary colours (e.g. yellow + violet) can produce mud.
- Doesn't account for the stain's gloss or penetration characteristics changing with tint.
- Universal tints are not food-safe. For cutting boards and toys, use a food-safe stain (e.g. walnut extract).
Frequently asked questions
Will mixing stains void the manufacturer's warranty?
Probably — most manufacturers don't warranty mixed products. That's the cost of custom colour. The trade-off is that you can match existing woodwork that no stock colour fits.
How do I keep mixed stain consistent across multiple cans?
Mix all cans together in a single large container, then divide into smaller working containers. Tint and stir at the same temperature every time. Write down the recipe — you will not remember it in two weeks when you need to make more.
Why does my custom stain look different on each board?
Wood varies — two boards of the same species from different trees absorb differently. For matching pieces (e.g. dining chairs), buy all the lumber from the same log or stick with a single species from the same batch.