Fence calculator

Count every post, rail and picket for a wood fence before you shop.

Fence Calculator

Fence length (ft)

Post spacing (ft)

Rails per section

Picket width (in)

Gap between pickets (in)

Cost per foot of fence ($)

Posts14

Rails39

Pickets219

Estimated cost$2,500.00

How it works

Sections = fence length ÷ post spacing, rounded up; posts = sections + 1 (plus one per extra gate or corner).
Rails = sections × rails per section (2 for fences up to 4 ft, 3 for 6 ft).
Pickets = fence length in inches ÷ (picket width + gap), rounded up.

Example: 100 ft of fence with posts every 8 ft and 3 rails: 13 sections, 14 posts, 39 rails and 218 pickets (5.5 in boards, 0 gap).

6–8 ft for wood fences. Closer spacing is stronger in windy areas.

About one third of the post's length in the ground, and below the frost line.