Fence Calculator

How to Estimate Fence Materials

This calculator estimates the posts, rails, and pickets needed for a straight fence run.

The method

1. Posts: Total length ÷ post spacing + 1 (for the end post).
2. Rails: Number of rails × total length (in linear feet).
3. Pickets: Pickets per section × number of sections. Pickets per section = (spacing in inches) ÷ (picket width + gap).

Step-by-step

1. Enter the total fence length in feet.
2. Enter the post spacing (typically 6–8 feet).
3. Enter picket width and gap (for privacy fences, gap = 0).
4. Enter the number of horizontal rails (2 for short fences, 3 for taller).

Worked example

100 ft fence, 8 ft post spacing, 5.5" pickets with no gap, 2 rails. Posts = ⌈100÷8⌉ + 1 = 14. Pickets per section = ⌈96÷5.5⌉ = 17. Total pickets = 17 × 13 = 221. Rail length = 2 × 100 = 200 linear ft.

Don't forget

You also need: concrete for post holes (about 2 bags per post), galvanized nails or screws (roughly 3.5" for rails, 2.5" for pickets), a post hole digger, and gravel for drainage at the bottom of each hole. Add 10% extra pickets for waste and future repairs.