Free Fence Calculator
Estimate fence posts, rails, pickets, and concrete bags needed for any fence project. Works for wood privacy fences, picket fences, split-rail fences, and vinyl panel systems.
Interactive Material & Cost Calculator Form
Concrete Volume & Materials
Estimate cement, sand, aggregate, and steel rebar for slabs, beams, columns, or footings.
Unit Prices & Labor
Brickwork Wall & Mortar
Calculate bricks count, cement, and sand needed for walls, with door/window deductions.
Unit Prices & Labor
Plastering Area & Materials
Estimate materials for plastering ceilings or walls based on area, thickness, and mix ratios.
Unit Prices & Labor
Painting & Wall Putty
Estimate quantities of wall putty (fillers), primer, and emulsion paint needed for full coverage.
Unit Prices & Labor
Flooring & Bedding
Estimate tiles count, bedding mortar (cement and sand base layer under tiles), and tile grout.
Unit Prices & Labor
Roofing Surface & Materials
Estimate roofing shingles, underlayment rolls, and nails for a standard gable double-sloped roof.
Unit Prices & Materials
Staircase Design & Concrete
Design a straight-run stairs set and estimate total concrete volume and mortar bedding required.
Unit Prices (Concrete Mix)
Gravel, Soil & Excavation
Calculate the volume and weight of sand, gravel, stone, or soil fill needed for driveways or landscaping.
Unit Price
Lumber & Framing Estimator
Estimate board feet, stud count, joist quantities, and lumber costs for framing.
Unit Price
Fence & Boundary Estimator
Estimate fence posts, rails, pickets, and concrete bags for wood or vinyl fences.
Unit Pricing
Drywall & Sheetrock Estimator
Estimate drywall sheets, joint compound, screws, and tape needed for any room.
Unit Pricing
Insulation & Thermal Estimator
Calculate insulation batts, rolls, or blown-in bags needed for attics, walls, or floors.
Unit Pricing
Tile & Backsplash Estimator
Estimate tile counts, grout weights, and thinset adhesive bags for walls & backsplashes.
Unit Pricing
Saved Project Estimate Items
A consolidated estimation shopping cart. Add items from individual calculators to build a combined bill of materials.
Your estimate basket is empty.
Go to any calculator tab (e.g. Concrete, Roofing), enter your dimensions, and click "Add to Project" to build a unified estimate report.
Labor Estimates
Estimated Total
Consolidated Materials
| Material | Quantity | Avg Unit Price | Subtotal |
|---|
Labor Summary
Estimate Customization
How is this calculated?
Fence & Boundary Materials Math:
Total post counts, rail quantities, picket counts, and post-hole concrete bag quantities are computed based on boundary lengths and materials spacing presets.
Posts = Ceil(Fence Length / Post Spacing) + 1 + Corner/Gate Extras Rails = (Posts - 1) × Rails per Panel Pickets = Ceil(Fence Length × 12 / (Picket Width + Slat Gap)) × 1.05 Concrete Bags = Posts × 1.5 bags (80 lb Fast-Setting Concrete)
Need a Complex Construction Estimate?
For larger or more complex projects requiring precise structural plans, custom material schedules, or detailed cost breakdowns, you can request a professional quotation. Fill in your project details below and our team will get back to you with a custom estimate.
What Is the Fence Calculator?
Short Answer: The Fence Calculator estimates the number of posts, horizontal rails, pickets (or panels), and concrete bags needed for any fence project based on your total fence length, post spacing, fence height, and rail count per panel.
How to Use the Fence Calculator
Step 1: Enter Total Fence Length
Measure the full perimeter of your fence line in linear feet. If your yard has a gate, subtract the gate opening width from the total fence length, since that section will not require pickets or rails. A typical single gate opening is 3–4 feet; a double gate is 6–8 feet.
Step 2: Choose Post Spacing
Select how far apart you want your fence posts placed:
- 6-foot spacing: Stronger fence, requires more posts and material cost. Recommended for high-wind areas and tall privacy fences.
- 8-foot spacing: Standard residential spacing. Balances material cost and structural strength for most US climates.
The formula for post count: Posts = (Fence Length / Spacing) + 1, plus 1 extra per corner and gate post.
Step 3: Set Fence Height and Post Depth
Enter your desired fence height above ground (typically 4–8 feet for residential fences). The calculator automatically adds the required burial depth (typically 2 feet minimum, or 1/3 of the total post length) to determine the total post length you need to purchase.
Step 4: Choose Rails Per Panel
Select the number of horizontal rails based on fence height:
- 2 rails: Fences under 4 feet tall (picket fences, open split-rail).
- 3 rails: Standard 5–6 foot privacy fence (most common).
- 4 rails: Fences over 6 feet or high-security applications.
Step 5: Enter Picket Width and Gap
For privacy fences, enter the picket width (5.5" for standard dog-ear pickets) and the desired gap between pickets (0" for full privacy, 1/4" for slight air circulation). The calculator uses: Pickets = Fence Length × 12 / (Picket Width + Gap)
Fence Material Quantity Formulas
Posts
Post Count = (Fence Length / Post Spacing) + 1 + Corner Posts + Gate Posts
Total Post Length = Post Count × (Fence Height + Burial Depth)
Rails
Rail Count = (Post Count - 1) × Rails Per Panel
Rails are typically ordered in 8-foot lengths. Divide total rail count by the number of 8-foot rails that fit in each bay to determine total linear feet needed.
Pickets (Privacy Fence)
Pickets = (Fence Length × 12) / (Picket Width + Gap)
Concrete Bags (Per Post)
Bags = Post Count × 1.5 bags of 80 lb concrete
For a standard 12-inch diameter post hole that is 2 feet deep (volume = 1.57 cu ft), use 1 to 2 bags of 80 lb fast-setting concrete per hole.
Fence Materials Comparison
| Material | Avg Cost/Lin Ft (Installed) | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated Wood | $20–$35 | 15–20 years | Staining every 2–3 years |
| Cedar | $25–$40 | 15–20 years | Sealing or staining every 3–5 years |
| Vinyl / PVC | $30–$60 | 25–40 years | Wash annually |
| Aluminum | $25–$50 | 30–50 years | Minimal; won't rust |
| Chain-Link | $15–$30 | 15–25 years | None |
| Split-Rail | $10–$25 | 10–15 years | Staining every few years |
Post Hole Depth Chart
| Fence Height | Total Post Length | Burial Depth | Post Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 ft | 5 ft | 2 ft | 4×4 |
| 4 ft | 6 ft | 2 ft | 4×4 |
| 5 ft | 7.5 ft (8 ft) | 2.5 ft | 4×4 |
| 6 ft | 8 ft | 2 ft | 4×4 or 6×6 |
| 8 ft | 11–12 ft | 3–4 ft | 6×6 |
Fence Calculator FAQ
How many fence posts do I need per foot?
For a standard 8-foot post spacing (the most common for residential privacy fences), you need approximately 1 post per 8 linear feet of fence, plus 1 end post. The formula is: Number of Posts = (Fence Length / Post Spacing) + 1. For a 100-foot fence at 8-foot spacing: (100 / 8) + 1 = 13.5 → round up to 14 posts. Add extra posts for corners and gate openings.
How deep should fence posts be set?
Fence posts should be set to a depth of at least 1/3 to 1/2 of the total post length. For a 6-foot privacy fence, you need 8-foot total posts — 6 feet above ground and 2 feet below. For high-wind areas or soft soil, increase burial depth to 1/2 the total post length. The rule of thumb is: depth (feet) = fence height (feet) / 3, minimum 2 feet in any case.
How many bags of concrete do I need per fence post?
Each fence post hole typically requires 1 to 2 bags of 80 lb fast-setting concrete. A standard 12-inch diameter hole that is 2 feet deep has a volume of approximately 1.57 cubic feet, which one 80 lb bag of dry concrete fills (one 80 lb bag covers about 0.6 cubic feet when wet). For a slightly wider 16-inch hole, use 2 bags per post. For 20 posts, order approximately 20 to 40 bags.
How many pickets do I need for a privacy fence?
For a standard privacy fence using 5.5-inch wide dog-ear pickets installed with no gap (a true privacy fence), use the formula: Pickets = (Fence Length × 12) / Picket Width. For 100 feet of fence with 5.5-inch pickets: (100 × 12) / 5.5 = 218.2 → order 220 pickets. If installing with a 1/4-inch gap for air circulation: Pickets = (Fence Length × 12) / (5.5 + 0.25) = 208.7 → order 210 pickets.
How many rails do I need for a wood fence?
The number of horizontal rails depends on fence height. Standard guidelines: fences under 4 feet use 2 rails; fences 5 to 6 feet tall (standard privacy) use 2 to 3 rails; fences over 6 feet use 3 to 4 rails. The formula is: Number of Rails = (Number of Posts - 1) × Rails per Panel. For 14 posts with 3 rails each: (14-1) × 3 = 39 rails. Rails are typically purchased in 8-foot lengths.
What size post should I use for a 6-foot fence?
For a standard 6-foot wood privacy fence, use 4×4 posts (actual 3.5"×3.5"). Posts should be 8 feet total length (2 feet buried + 6 feet above ground). For extra stability in high-wind areas, use 6×6 posts (5.5"×5.5"). For a chain-link or metal fence, use 2-3/8" diameter steel posts for the line posts and 2-7/8" posts for corner and end posts.
How do I calculate fence length for an irregular yard?
For irregular yards, use a tape measure to measure each straight segment of your fence line and add them together. For curved sections, use a measuring wheel or stretch a string along the intended fence path and measure the string. For a yard with 4 straight sides, simply add the length of all 4 sides. Don't forget to subtract the width of any gate openings from the total fence length since those sections won't need pickets or rails.
What type of wood is best for a fence?
The best wood fence materials in order of cost and durability are: (1) Cedar — naturally rot-resistant, beautiful grain, no pressure treatment required, lasts 15–20 years. (2) Redwood — premium natural rot resistance, beautiful, expensive. (3) Pressure-Treated Pine — most affordable, treated with preservatives that last 20+ years, must use hot-dipped galvanized fasteners to prevent corrosion. (4) Composite/PVC — highest upfront cost, zero maintenance, lasts 25–50 years.
How much does a fence cost per linear foot?
Average fence costs per linear foot by material: Wood privacy fence: $20–$45/linear foot installed. Chain-link fence: $15–$30/linear foot installed. Vinyl/PVC privacy fence: $25–$60/linear foot installed. Aluminum fence: $25–$50/linear foot installed. Split-rail fence: $10–$25/linear foot installed. These prices include materials and professional installation labor. DIY installation reduces cost by 40–60%.
Do I need a permit to build a fence?
Most US municipalities require a building permit for fences over 6 feet tall. Many also require permits for any fence within a certain distance of a property line, street, or easement. Always call your local building department before starting. HOA rules may impose additional height and material restrictions. Contact your utility company (or call 811) before digging any post holes to identify and avoid underground utilities.
Professional Construction Estimators
Quickly switch between our specialized calculators to estimate other materials for your building project.
Concrete Calculator
Estimate cement, sand, gravel & steel for slabs, beams & footings.
Calculate NowBrick Calculator
Calculate bricks count & mortar materials with door/window deductions.
Calculate NowPlaster Calculator
Find cement & sand quantities for wall & ceiling plastering.
Calculate NowPaint Calculator
Estimate emulsion paint, primer & wall putty gallons.
Calculate NowFlooring Calculator
Compute floor tiles, bedding mortar & grout joint needs.
Calculate NowRoofing Calculator
Calculate roof surface area, shingles & underlayment.
Calculate NowStaircase Calculator
Calculate stair rise, run, stringer length & steps.
Calculate NowGravel Calculator
Estimate gravel, sand & base fill volume and tons.
Calculate Now