Fence Calculator

Figure the posts, rails, pickets and concrete for a wood picket or privacy fence from its length, post spacing and gates, and estimate the cost.

Total length, including gates.
6′ to 8′ is typical for wood fences.
Rails and Pickets
Rails per Section
Fences over about 5′ tall usually get three rails.
Style
80 lb bags. A 10″ hole 30″ deep around a 4×4 takes about 2.
%
Cost
$
$
$
$
Fractions work too: try 3 1/2.
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Pickets
Posts
Sections
Rails
Picket run
Concrete
Cost
Add prices to estimate

Fence List

Fence runs you add are saved in this browser.

FenceLengthPostsRailsPicketsBagsCostRemove

How to Figure Fence Materials

Take the gate openings out of the fence length, then divide what's left by the post spacing and round up to get the number of sections. A straight run needs one more post than sections, and each gate adds one post, since the run is split in two. Rails go between posts, and pickets cover the fenced length.

Sections = ⌈(length − gate width × gates) ÷ spacing⌉   Posts = sections + 1 + gates
Rails = sections × rails per section   Pickets = ⌈fenced length (in) ÷ (picket width + gap)⌉

Corners are already counted when you measure each side as its own run, since each run has a post at both ends. If you add several runs that share corner posts, subtract one post per shared corner.

Worked Example

Pickets per 8′ Section

PicketNo Gap½″ Gap1½″ Gap3½″ Gap

Tips for Building a Fence

Call 811 before you dig so buried lines get marked. Set posts about a third of their height in the ground, or below the frost line, and check your property line and any rules from your city or HOA on height and which side faces out. Rails are commonly 2×4s the same length as the post spacing; 8′ spacing lets you use 8′ rails with no waste.