Calculate fence posts, rails, pickets, and hardware for wood fences. Enter fence length and height for a complete material list.
Building a wood fence is one of the most common residential construction projects. Whether you're installing a privacy fence, picket fence, or ranch-style fence, getting the material quantities right is essential for budgeting and ordering. Running short means a trip back to the lumber yard; ordering too much wastes money.
This calculator estimates posts, rails, pickets, concrete, screws, and caps based on your fence length, height, and style. Standard wood privacy fences use 4×4 posts at 8-foot spacing, 2×4 rails (horizontal), and 1×6 or 5/8×6 pickets (vertical boards).
Whether you're building a full privacy fence, a decorative picket fence, or a simple post-and-rail design, this tool provides a complete material list for ordering from your lumber supplier.
Precise calculations are essential for meeting regulatory requirements, passing inspections, and ensuring the long-term structural integrity and safety of the completed project. This data-driven approach helps contractors minimize rework, avoid delays caused by material shortages, and deliver projects on time and within the agreed budget.
Fence projects involve multiple materials (posts, rails, pickets, concrete, hardware) that all need to be estimated together. This calculator provides a complete material list from simple measurements, saving time and preventing ordering mistakes. Having precise numbers at hand streamlines project planning discussions with clients, architects, and subcontractors, building trust and reducing costly misunderstandings on the job.
Posts = (Length ÷ Spacing) + 1 Rails per Bay = Height > 6ft ? 3 : 2 Total Rails = (Posts − 1) × Rails per Bay Pickets = Length × 12 ÷ (Picket Width + Gap)
Result: 20 posts, 38 rails, 328 pickets
150 ft fence: 150 ÷ 8 = 18.75 → 19 bays + 1 = 20 posts. Rails: 19 × 2 = 38 rails. Pickets: 1,800 in ÷ 5.5 in = 328 pickets. Plus 20 bags of concrete for post holes.
Privacy fence: 6-ft tall, pickets tight together, most material. Picket fence: 3–4 ft tall, spaced pickets, less material. Semi-privacy: 6-ft tall with spaced boards, moderate material. Post and rail: no pickets, fewest materials.
Budget 12‒16 screws per section (2 per rail connection, 2 per picket per rail). Use 3-inch exterior deck screws or ring-shank nails. Post caps add $3–$10 each. Hinges and latches for gates add $20–$80 per gate.
Plan gate locations before ordering materials. Single walk gates are 3–4 ft wide. Double drive gates are 10‒16 ft wide. Gates need heavier posts (6×6) and stronger hardware. Subtract gate openings from fence length for material calculations.
Apply stain or sealant every 2–3 years. Keep vegetation trimmed away from the fence. Repair damaged boards promptly to prevent further deterioration. Keep sprinklers from hitting the fence directly. Well-maintained wood fences last 15‒25 years.
Standard post spacing is 8 feet for most residential fences. Use 6-foot spacing for tall privacy fences (over 6 ft), windy locations, or when using lighter posts. Rails span the distance between posts.
Posts should be set 1/3 of their total length in the ground. A 6-ft fence with an 8-ft post needs 2–2.5 ft in the ground. Frost line depth is also a factor — check local codes.
Fences up to 6 ft use 2 horizontal rails per section. Fences over 6 ft should use 3 rails. Rails are typically 2×4 lumber cut to the bay length (post spacing minus post width).
The terms are often interchangeable. Technically, pickets are the individual vertical boards that form the fence face. Common sizes: 1×6 (actual 5/8×5.5 in), 1×4 (3/4×3.5 in), and dog-eared or flat-top styles.
Materials cost $8–$20 per linear foot depending on wood type and style. Professional installation adds $10–$25 per LF. A 150-ft privacy fence costs $2,700–$6,750 in materials or $5,250–$11,250 installed.
Cedar: naturally rot-resistant, beautiful, $15–$25/LF. Pressure-treated pine: most economical, $8–$15/LF. Redwood: premium, extremely durable, $20–$35/LF. Composite: low-maintenance, $25–$45/LF.
Most jurisdictions require permits for fences over 6 feet, and many require them for any fence. Permits also verify property lines, setbacks from streets and neighbors, and height restrictions. Always check before building.
Each post hole typically uses 1–2 bags (50–80 lbs) of premixed concrete. A 10-inch diameter hole that's 24 inches deep uses about 1.5 bags. Fast-setting concrete is convenient for DIY installation.