Fence Calculator

Calculate fence materials — posts, rails, pickets, panels, concrete, and screws. Choose from 7 fence styles with auto-presets and get a complete cost estimate.

🏡 Fence Calculator

Fence Style

Fence Length (ft)

Fence Height (ft)

Post Spacing (ft)

Gates (gates)

Picket Width (in)

Picket Spacing (in)

Post Cost (4×4) ($)

Rail Cost (2×4) ($)

Picket Cost (each) ($)

STRUCTURE

Posts (4×4)16 @ 8.0 ft each

Post Hole Depth2.0 ft

Sections13

Rails (2×4)39

Pickets (+ 10% waste)241

HARDWARE

Concrete (50 lb bags)28 bags

Screws (approx)1,446

COST

Posts$192

Rails$234

Pickets / Panels$723

Concrete$140

Gates (1)$85

Total Material Cost$1,509

💡 How to Calculate Fence Materials

Building a fence is one of the most common DIY and contractor projects for US homeowners. Whether you're installing a privacy fence, a decorative picket fence, or a ranch-style rail fence, accurate material estimation prevents over-ordering and costly return trips to the lumberyard.

The calculator above supports 7 fence styles with auto-presets for picket width, spacing, and rails per section. It estimates posts, rails, pickets/panels, concrete, screws, and gates with a complete material cost breakdown.

Estimate lumber with our lumber calculator. For post footings, use our concrete calculator. Calculate area with our square footage calculator.

Fence Styles and Presets

Style	Picket Width	Spacing	Rails/Section	Description
Privacy (solid board)	5.5"	0" (no gap)	3	Boards side-by-side, rails on one side
Shadowbox (board-on-board)	5.5"	−1" (overlap)	3	Boards on both sides, offset — looks same from both sides
Stockade	2.5"	0"	3	Narrow pointed-top pickets, no gaps
Picket (spaced)	3.5"	3.5"	2	Classic American picket fence with equal gaps
Rail (no pickets)	—	—	3	Horizontal rails only — for ranch/boundary
Pre-built Panel	—	—	—	6×8 ft panels, 1 per section
Chain Link	—	—	2	Top + bottom rails, mesh fabric sold by linear foot

Step-by-Step Fence Material Estimation

Step 1: Calculate Posts

Divide the total fence length by post spacing (8 ft standard for wood) and round up. Add 1 for the end post. Add 2 extra posts per gate (heavier gate posts, often 6×6).

Formula: Posts = ⌈Length ÷ Spacing⌉ + 1 + (Gates × 2)

Example: 100 ft fence ÷ 8 ft spacing = 12.5 → 13 sections → 14 posts + 2 gate posts = 16 posts

Step 2: Calculate Rails

Multiply the number of sections by rails per section. Standard: 2 rails for fences ≤ 4 ft, 3 rails for 5–8 ft, 4+ rails for 10–12 ft.

Formula: Rails = Sections × Rails per Section

Example: 13 sections × 3 rails = 39 rails

Step 3: Calculate Pickets

Convert fence length to inches. Divide by (picket width + spacing). Add 10% for waste (cuts, splits, defects).

Formula: Pickets = ⌈(Length × 12) ÷ (Picket Width + Spacing)⌉ × 1.10

Example (privacy): (100 × 12) ÷ (5.5 + 0) = 218 × 1.10 = 240 pickets

Shadowbox: Double the picket count because boards are on both sides.

Step 4: Hardware and Concrete

Concrete: 2 bags (50 lb) per post for a 2 ft deep, 10" diameter hole
Screws: 2 exterior screws per picket per rail contact point (e.g. 3 rails = 6 screws per picket)
Post caps: 1 per post (optional, decorative)

Lumber Types for Wood Fences

Component	Lumber Size	Material Options	Cost Each (2025)
Posts	4×4 (8 ft for 6 ft fence)	Pressure-treated, cedar, redwood	$8–$20
Gate Posts	6×6 (8 ft)	Pressure-treated, cedar	$18–$35
Rails	2×4 (8 ft)	Pressure-treated, cedar	$4–$10
Pickets (privacy)	1×6 (6 ft dog ear)	Pressure-treated, cedar	$2–$5
Pickets (stockade)	¾"×2½" (5–6 ft)	Pressure-treated, cedar	$1.50–$3

Wood choice: Pressure-treated pine is cheapest and lasts 15–20 years. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant and lasts 20–25 years but costs 30–50% more. Western red cedar is premium. Redwood is the most expensive but most durable (30+ years).

2025 US Fence Cost Guide

Fence Type	Material Cost per ft	Installed Cost per ft	100 ft Material	100 ft Installed
Wood Privacy (PT)	$12–$18	$25–$35	$1,200–$1,800	$2,500–$3,500
Wood Privacy (Cedar)	$18–$28	$30–$45	$1,800–$2,800	$3,000–$4,500
Shadowbox	$18–$30	$30–$50	$1,800–$3,000	$3,000–$5,000
Picket	$8–$15	$18–$25	$800–$1,500	$1,800–$2,500
Chain Link (4 ft)	$7–$12	$15–$20	$700–$1,200	$1,500–$2,000
Split Rail	$6–$12	$12–$18	$600–$1,200	$1,200–$1,800

Gates: Add $75–$150 per walk gate and $200–$500 per drive (double) gate, plus $50–$100 in hardware per gate. Most residential fences have 1–2 gates.

Labor: Professional fence installation is typically $10–$20 per linear foot for labor alone, or 50–60% of total installed cost.

A 100 ft wood privacy fence with 6 ft height and 8 ft spacing = 14 posts, 39 rails (3 per section), ~240 pickets (5.5" wide, +10% waste), and 28 bags of concrete.