Fence Calculator
Work out a complete wood fence shopping list: posts by spacing, rails, pickets with your gap, and concrete bags for the post holes — with a cost estimate per linear foot.
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Enter a picket price to estimate cost.
You might also need:Concrete Calculator·Board Foot Calculator
Fence material math
rails = sections × rails per section · pickets = length ÷ (picket width + gap)
concrete = 2 × 50 lb bags per post
A 100-foot privacy fence at 8-foot spacing needs 14 posts (plus one per gate), 39 rails and about 200 pickets, set with 28 bags of fast-setting concrete. Sloped yards need either stepped or racked sections — buy 5% extra rails and pickets for cuts.
Typical fence specs
| Fence | Post | Depth | Rails |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft picket | 4×4 × 6.5 ft | 2 ft | 2 |
| 6 ft privacy | 4×4 × 8–9 ft | 2.5–3 ft | 3 |
| 8 ft privacy | 6×6 × 11 ft | 3 ft | 4 |
Build tips
- Call 811 before digging — free utility marking, required in most states, and post holes hit lines more often than you'd think.
- Set all posts first, let concrete cure overnight, then string a line and rail the whole run for a straight top.
- Crown side out: face picket crowns the same way and gap them with a spacer block for even reveals.
- Prefer round pier footings for gate posts? Size them with the Sonotube calculator; bulk concrete math is in the concrete calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should fence posts be?+
Set wood fence posts 6 to 8 feet apart on center. Eight feet matches standard rail lengths and minimizes posts; six feet is stiffer for tall privacy fences and windy sites. Chain link can stretch to 10 feet.
How many bags of concrete per fence post?+
Two 50 lb bags of fast-setting concrete per post is typical for a 4×4 post in an 8–10 inch hole 2 feet deep. Bigger 6×6 posts in 12-inch holes take 3–4 bags. This calculator totals it for the whole run.
How deep should fence posts be set?+
Bury one-third of the total post length, minimum 2 feet — a 6-foot fence uses 9-foot posts set 3 feet deep in frost country, or 8-foot posts at 2 feet where freeze isn’t a factor. Always set posts below the frost line.
How many pickets do I need per foot of fence?+
Standard 5½-inch pickets butted tight run 2.2 per linear foot; with a typical ½-inch gap it drops to about 2 per foot. A 100-foot privacy fence needs roughly 200–220 pickets.
How much does a wood fence cost?+
DIY materials for a 6-foot pressure-treated privacy fence run $15–$25 per linear foot; cedar $25–$40. Professional installation doubles it. Gates add $150–$600 each depending on width and hardware.