Fence Calculator
Calculate posts, rails, pickets, and concrete bags for any fence project. Enter your fence length, type, and post spacing to get an instant material estimate.
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This fence calculator takes the guesswork out of buying materials for any fencing project. Whether you're installing a wood privacy fence, a split rail fence, or a panel system, getting the post count, rail count, picket count, and concrete right before heading to the lumber yard saves you a second trip — or worse, a mid-project shortage. Enter your fence length, type, post spacing, and height to get an instant, waste-adjusted material list. Picket counts include a 10% waste factor. Rail counts for wood privacy fences also include 10% waste. One 50-pound bag of concrete is counted per post for setting.
How to Use the Fence Calculator
- Enter the total length of your fence run in feet.
- Select your fence type — Wood Privacy, Split Rail, or Panel.
- Choose your post spacing: 6 ft on center for stronger or taller fences, 8 ft for standard residential.
- Select the fence height.
- Enter the number of gates — each gate adds one extra post for the gate frame.
- For Wood Privacy, select your picket width. For Split Rail, select 2-Rail or 3-Rail.
- Click "Calculate Fence" to see posts, rails or panels, pickets, and concrete bag counts.
Fence Material Example: 150-Foot Privacy Fence
A 150-foot wood privacy fence, 6 feet tall, with 8-foot post spacing and 3.5-inch pickets:
| Material | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Posts | 20 posts |
| Rails (with 10% waste) | 42 rails |
| Pickets (with 10% waste) | 567 pickets |
| Concrete bags (50 lb) | 20 bags |
At 8-foot post spacing, 150 feet of fence produces 19 bays and 20 posts. A 6-foot fence uses 2 rails per bay — 38 base rails plus 10% waste gives 42. For pickets at 3.5 inches: 150 × 12 / 3.5 = 515 base pickets, plus 10% waste rounds up to 567. One 50-pound bag per post keeps the concrete estimate conservative for standard residential soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fence posts do I need per foot of fence?
One post for every 6–8 feet of fence, plus one for the final end. For 100 linear feet at 8-foot spacing, you need 14 posts. Gates require two additional posts each for the gate frame.
How many bags of concrete per fence post?
Most residential fence posts use one 50-pound bag of concrete per post. For posts in loose or sandy soil, or posts taller than 6 feet, use two bags. Set posts at least 2 feet deep — one-third of the post height above grade is the standard rule.
How many pickets do I need for a 6-foot privacy fence?
For a 3.5-inch picket (4-inch nominal) with no gap, divide total fence length in inches by 3.5. A 100-foot fence needs approximately 343 pickets before waste. Add 10% for waste and breakage — about 377 pickets total.
What is the standard spacing between fence posts?
6 and 8 feet on center are the two standard spacings. 6 feet is stronger and recommended for 8-foot-tall fences or windy areas. 8 feet is the most common residential spacing and uses fewer posts and less concrete.
How deep should fence posts be set in the ground?
Posts should be set at one-third of their total length in the ground. A 9-foot post for a 6-foot fence goes 3 feet underground. In frost-prone areas, posts must go below the frost line — typically 36–48 inches in cold climates — to prevent heaving.