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Fence Calculator
Quick answer: Divide your fence length by post spacing to get sections, add one post, then add posts for corners and gates. Multiply sections by rails per section, and divide the length in inches by picket width plus gap for pickets. Add about 10% waste. The calculator below does this math for any wood fence layout.
How it works
The calculator treats a straight run as a chain of sections. Sections = fence length ÷ post spacing, rounded up. Posts = sections + 1, plus any extra corner or end posts you enter, plus one per gate (gates usually need their own heavier hinge post). Rails = sections × rails per section; three rails is common for fences over about 5 ft, two for shorter ones. Pickets = length in inches ÷ (picket width + gap). Concrete bags = posts × bags per post. Waste is added to rails and pickets because boards split, warp or get miscut.
Worked example
Figures below are illustrative examples (2026-10-29), not quotes or guarantees.
Assumptions: 150 ft of 6 ft privacy fence, 8 ft spacing, 2 extra corner posts, 1 gate, 3 rails, 5.5 in pickets with a 0.5 in gap, 2 bags per post, 10% waste. Result: 19 sections, 23 posts, 63 rails, 330 pickets and 46 bags. Measure your own line first with how to measure a fence line.
FAQ
Does this work for board-on-board?
Use the fence picket calculator, which handles overlapping boards.
How deep should the posts go?
See the fence post calculator and how deep fence posts; your municipality sets the real requirement.
What about cost?
Feed these quantities into the fence cost calculator with prices from your own supplier.
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