Fence Calculator
Calculate posts, rails, pickets, and concrete for your fence project — privacy, picket, or board-on-board.
Quick Answer
A 100 ft privacy fence (6 ft tall, posts every 8 ft) needs about 14 posts, 39 rails, 241 pickets (with waste), and 28 bags of concrete — materials typically cost $2,000–$4,000.
Fence Style
Fence Dimensions
Enter fence length and height to see results.
💡 Always call 811 before digging — utility lines may be buried in your yard.
How to Calculate Fence Materials
Key Formulas
Posts = (Length ÷ Spacing) + 1
Rails = Sections × Rails per Section
Pickets = (Length in inches) ÷ (Picket + Gap)
Start by measuring your total fence line. Divide by post spacing (typically 6–8 feet) to get the number of sections. Posts should be buried at least 1/3 of the above-ground height, plus a couple inches. Each post hole gets concrete to set it firmly.
Example
For a 100 ft privacy fence, 6 ft tall, posts every 8 ft: 100 ÷ 8 = 12.5 → 13 sections, 14 posts. 3 rails per section = 39 rails. At 5.5" boards with no gap: 1200" ÷ 5.5 = 219 pickets (241 with waste).
Tips & Best Practices
- •Set posts in concrete, not just dirt. Let cure 24–48 hours before attaching rails.
- •Use pressure-treated lumber or cedar for posts — they'll be in contact with the ground.
- •Set string lines to keep the fence straight. Start with corner and end posts first.
- •Post holes should be 3× the post width (e.g., 12" hole for a 4×4 post) and deep enough to bury 1/3 of the fence height.
- •Check your property survey and local setback requirements before building. Many areas require fences to be 6" inside the property line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a wood fence cost per foot?+
A basic privacy fence costs $12–$25 per linear foot in materials. Professional installation adds $10–$20+ per foot. Cedar costs more than pressure-treated pine but lasts longer without staining.
How far apart should fence posts be?+
Standard spacing is 8 feet for most wood fences. For high-wind areas or fences over 6 feet tall, reduce to 6 feet. Never exceed 8 feet — panels will sag and warp.
How deep should fence post holes be?+
Bury at least 1/3 of the total post length. For a 6-foot fence, use an 8-foot post and bury 2 feet. In frost-prone areas, go below the frost line (usually 30–48 inches).
How many bags of concrete per fence post?+
For a standard 4×4 post in a 10-inch-wide hole: 1 bag of 50-lb concrete for 4-foot fences, 2 bags for 6-foot fences. Use fast-setting concrete for convenience.
Common Fence Projects
How Many Fence Posts Do I Need?
Divide your total fence length by post spacing (typically 8 feet) and add 1 for the end post. A 150 ft fence with 8 ft spacing needs 20 posts.
Add extra posts for each gate opening and corner. Here are estimates for common fence lengths:
| Fence Length | Posts (8 ft spacing) | Concrete Bags | Rails (3 per section) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | 8 | 8–16 | 21 |
| 100 ft | 14 | 14–28 | 39 |
| 150 ft | 20 | 20–40 | 57 |
| 200 ft | 26 | 26–52 | 75 |
Use 1–2 bags of concrete per post. Gate posts and corner posts should use 2 bags for extra stability.
How Much Does a Wood Fence Cost?
A wood privacy fence costs $25–$50 per linear foot for materials. Professional installation adds $20–$40 per linear foot. A 150 ft fence costs $3,750–$7,500 for DIY materials.
Cost depends on fence height, style, wood type, and your region.
| Fence Length | DIY Materials | Pro Installed |
|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | $1,250–$2,500 | $2,250–$4,500 |
| 100 ft | $2,500–$5,000 | $4,500–$9,000 |
| 150 ft | $3,750–$7,500 | $6,750–$13,500 |
| 200 ft (full yard) | $5,000–$10,000 | $9,000–$18,000 |
Fence Styles: Privacy, Picket, and Board-on-Board
Each fence style uses different amounts of material. The calculator above adjusts for your chosen style automatically.
Privacy Fence (6 ft)
Boards placed edge-to-edge with no gaps. Uses the most pickets. Standard for backyard boundaries and pool enclosures. $20–$35/linear ft materials.
Board-on-Board
Overlapping boards on alternating sides of the rail. Looks good from both sides. Uses ~15% more pickets than standard privacy. $25–$40/linear ft.
Picket Fence (3–4 ft)
Evenly spaced boards with gaps. Classic for front yards. Uses fewer pickets and shorter posts. $15–$25/linear ft materials.
Need concrete for fence post holes? Estimate bags of concrete →
Cedar vs. Pressure-Treated vs. Pine
For posts that go in the ground, use pressure-treated lumber — no exceptions. The rot clock starts the day untreated wood contacts soil. For boards and pickets above ground, the choice is more nuanced.
Here's how the three most common fence woods compare:
Pressure-Treated Pine
~$1.50–$3.00/linear ft for 1×6 boards. Chemically treated to resist rot and insects. Best choice for posts and any wood near the ground. It warps more than cedar as it dries, and has a greenish tint that takes a season to gray out. Lasts 15–25 years.
Best for: posts, bottom rails, any ground-contact framing.
Cedar
~$3.00–$5.00/linear ftfor 1×6 boards. Naturally rot-resistant, straighter grain means it stays flatter as it dries, and takes stain beautifully. Worth the price premium if you're in a wet climate or want a fence that looks good long-term. Lasts 20–30 years with basic sealing.
Best for: pickets and boards in privacy and board-on-board fences.
Untreated Pine
~$1.00–$2.00/linear ft. Cheapest option but not suited for ground contact. Needs paint or stain to hold up, and will deteriorate faster in wet climates. Fine for picket fences in dry regions where you plan to paint anyway.
Best for: painted picket fences in dry climates only.
A common approach: PT posts and rails, cedar pickets. You get rot resistance where it matters and a cleaner look on the visible surface.
Fence Build Order
The most common DIY mistake is rushing past the post-setting step. Hanging boards on posts that haven't fully cured leads to a fence that leans. Do this in order:
- 1
Mark corners, gates, and property line
Confirm your property line before digging anything. Stake the corners first, then the gate locations. Gates drive post placement — plan them before spacing everything else.
- 2
Dig post holes
Post holes should be 1/3 the total post length deep. For a 6 ft fence: 8 ft posts, 2 ft deep. Widen the bottom of the hole slightly for better concrete anchoring.
- 3
Set posts and let concrete cure 24–48 hours
This is the step people skip. Bracing posts while the concrete cures is annoying — pulling pickets off a leaning fence is worse. Don't rush it.
- 4
Run top and bottom rails
Attach rails to posts before adding any boards. This locks in your post spacing and gives you a reference for keeping everything level.
- 5
Attach pickets or boards
Work in sections. Use a spacer block to keep gaps consistent on picket fences. On privacy fences, push boards tight to each other and check plumb every few feet.
- 6
Hang gates last
Gates are easier to align once the fence is fully set and plumb. Use a gate post with 2 bags of concrete — gates put lateral stress on posts that a single bag won't handle.
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