Fence Calculator

Calculate posts, rails, pickets, and concrete for your fence project. Works for wood privacy fences, picket fences, and board-on-board styles.

🪵 Enter Your Fence Dimensions

8 ft is standard; use 6 ft for windy areas

Planning your budget?

Read the full Fence Cost Guide 2026

→

Related Tools

All ToolsDeck CalculatorConcrete CalculatorAI Fence Design

How to Calculate Fence Materials

Our fence calculator helps you estimate posts, rails, pickets, and concrete for your wood fence project. Whether building a privacy fence, picket fence, or board-on-board style, accurate material calculations save time and money.

Fence Post Spacing

  • 6 ft spacing: For tall fences (8 ft), windy areas, or heavy gates
  • 8 ft spacing: Standard for most residential fences
  • 10 ft spacing: For lightweight or decorative fences only

Rail Requirements

Fences under 5 ft typically use 2 horizontal rails. Fences 6 ft and taller should use 3 rails for stability. Rails can be 2x4s (lighter fences) or 2x6s (heavier pickets or windy areas).

Post Depth and Concrete

Fence posts should be buried at least 1/3 of their total length, with a minimum of 2 ft in the ground. Each post hole should be 3x the post width (12 inches for 4x4 posts) and filled with concrete for maximum stability.

Common Fence Styles

  • Privacy fence: No gaps between pickets
  • Board-on-board: Overlapping boards for privacy from both sides
  • Shadowbox: Alternating boards on each side of rails
  • Picket fence: 2-3 inch gaps between pickets

Frequently asked questions

How many fence posts do I need for 100 feet of fence?⌄
With standard 8 ft post spacing, a straight 100 ft fence run needs 14 posts: 13 sections of fence plus one post at each end. Add an extra post for every corner, gate, or change of direction in the fence line.
How deep should fence posts be set?⌄
Bury at least 1/3 of the total post length, with a minimum depth of 24 inches. For a 6 ft fence that means an 8 ft post set 2 ft in the ground. In cold climates, dig below the frost line to prevent posts from heaving.
How much does a fence cost per foot in 2026?⌄
In 2026, installed fencing typically runs $15 to $60 per linear foot depending on material. Chain link sits at the low end ($15-$30), wood privacy fences run $25-$45, and vinyl or composite fences run $35-$60 per foot installed.
How many pickets do I need per foot of fence?⌄
For 5.5 inch wide pickets with small gaps, plan on about 2.2 pickets per linear foot. A privacy fence with no gaps uses roughly 2.2 pickets per foot, so a 100 ft fence needs around 220 pickets plus 5% waste.
How many bags of concrete do I need per fence post?⌄
Plan on 1 to 2 80lb bags of concrete per 4x4 fence post in a 24-30 inch deep, 10-12 inch wide hole. Use the higher amount for corner posts, gate posts, and taller fences that catch more wind.

See What Your New Fence Could Look Like

Upload a photo and visualize your fence style and backyard design with AI

Try AI Design Tool