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Fence Calculator

Calculate posts, rails, pickets, and concrete with real-time 2D structural framing diagrams.

Standard 8-ft post bays
ft
in

Solid privacy = 0″ | Shadowbox = 3.5″ | Spaced picket = 1.5″–2″

gates
Estimate Total Cost (Optional)▼
$

Ready to calculate

Enter your fence length, height, post spacing, and pickets to see exact material quantities and structural cross-section.

Fencing & Carpentry Handbook

Wood Fence Material Takeoffs, Post Depths & Cost Handbook

A complete reference guide for our wood fence calculator, privacy fence calculator, picket fence calculator, and fence cost calculator.

Fence Material Calculator: Mathematical Formulas

To determine how many posts, rails, pickets, and concrete bags you need using our fence post calculator and fence picket calculator, apply standard carpentry geometry:

Number of Sections = Math.ceil(Total Length in feet ÷ Post Spacing in feet)

Total Posts = Number of Sections + 1 End Post + Gate Posts

Horizontal Rails = Number of Sections × Rails per Section (3 for 6ft fence)

Vertical Pickets = Math.ceil((Total Length in inches) ÷ (Picket Width + Gap)) × 1.05

Concrete Bags = Total Posts × 2 (50-lb fast-setting concrete bags)

Post Hole Depth⅓ in Ground

For a 6 ft fence, bury 2 ft in the ground using 8 ft posts (3 ft in severe frost zones).

Horizontal Rails3 Rails (6ft)

Top, middle, and bottom 2×4 rails prevent pickets from warping and cupping.

1×6 Dog-Ear Picket5.5″ Actual

Requires ~2.18 pickets per linear foot for solid edge-to-edge privacy.

Fence Style Specifications & Recommended Post Spacing

Our wooden fence calculator supports all residential and agricultural styles:

Fence StyleStandard HeightPost SpacingFraming & Infill Details
Vertical Privacy Fence ★6 ft (1.8 m)8 ft on-center4×4×8′ posts, 3 rows of 2×4 rails, solid 1×6 cedar/pine dog-ear pickets.
Board on Board (Shadowbox)6 ft to 8 ft8 ft on-centerAlternating overlapping 1×6 pickets with 1.5″ overlap for 100% privacy and wind flow.
Traditional Picket Fence3 ft to 4 ft6 ft to 8 ft4×4×6′ posts, 2 rows of 2×4 rails, 1×4 pickets spaced 1.5″ to 2″ apart.
Prefabricated & Composite Panels6 ft (1.8 m)8 ft (or 1.83 m UK)Factory assembled 6×8 ft panels or composite fence calculator tongue-and-groove boards.
Post & Rail / Split Rail4 ft to 5 ft8 ft to 10 ftMortised round/square posts with 2 or 3 horizontal split rail timbers.

Fence Calculator UK & Post Concrete Standards

Our tool also serves as a comprehensive fence calculator uk and garden fence calculator:

  • UK Closeboard & Lap Panels: In the UK, standard garden fence panels are 6 ft (1.83 m) wide and 3 ft to 6 ft high, mounted between 100×100 mm (4×4″) timber or slotted concrete posts with Postcrete bags.
  • Concrete Footings: Use 1.5 to 2 fifty-pound bags (or 1 to 2 Postcrete bags) per post hole. Dig holes 3 times the width of the post (10 to 12 inches wide).
  • Cost Estimation: Use our fence calculator cost module to instantly estimate total materials or turnkey labor based on your local price per linear foot.
Frequently Asked Questions

Wood Fence Estimating & Post Spacing FAQs

Clear trade guidance on calculating posts, horizontal rails, pickets, and concrete bags for your backyard fence.

Fence Framing, Boards & Area Formulas

How to calculate for a fence?▼
To calculate materials for a fence: 1. Measure the total perimeter length in feet. 2. Divide length by post spacing (typically 8 ft) to get sections: Sections = Math.ceil(Length ÷ 8). 3. Calculate posts: Total Posts = Sections + 1 + Gate Count. 4. Calculate rails: Sections × Rails per section (2 for 4ft, 3 for 6ft). 5. Calculate pickets: Math.ceil((Length × 12) ÷ (Picket Width + Gap)) × 1.05. 6. Calculate concrete: 2 bags (50-lb) per post hole.
What is the formula for fencing?▼
The standard formulas for wood fencing are: • Posts = (Fence Length ÷ Post Spacing) + 1 + Gate Posts • Rails = (Fence Length ÷ Post Spacing) × Number of Rail Rows (2 or 3) • Pickets = ((Fence Length in Feet × 12) ÷ (Picket Width in Inches + Spacing Gap)) × 1.05 • Concrete Bags = Total Posts × 2 bags.
How to calculate the area of a fence?▼
To calculate fence surface area (for staining or painting): Multiply total fence length in linear feet by the fence height in feet: • Single Side Area = Length (ft) × Height (ft) • Both Sides Total Area = Length (ft) × Height (ft) × 2 For example, a 100-foot long by 6-foot high privacy fence has 600 sq ft per side (1,200 sq ft total for both interior and exterior sides).
how many fence boards do i need calculator▼
To calculate fence boards (pickets): • 1×6 dog-ear pickets (5.5″ actual width): Multiply linear feet by 2.30 (e.g. 100 ft × 2.30 = 230 pickets) • 1×4 pickets (3.5″ actual width): Multiply linear feet by 3.60 (e.g. 100 ft × 3.60 = 360 pickets) • 6×8 ft pre-assembled panels: Divide total linear feet by 8 (e.g. 120 ft ÷ 8 = 15 panels).

Fence Costs & Pricing Estimators

How to calculate how much a fence will cost?▼
To estimate fence costs: 1. Multiply total linear feet by material cost per foot ($12 to $20/ft for wood, $25 to $40/ft for vinyl/composite). 2. For contractor installation, multiply linear feet by turnkey installed rate ($25 to $45/ft for wood privacy). 3. Add gate hardware and extra hinge posts ($150 to $350 per gate kit).
how much does a fence cost calculator▼
Average total installed fence costs by length for a 6-foot wood privacy fence: • 20 ft: $500 – $900 installed ($250 – $400 DIY) • 40 ft: $1,000 – $1,800 installed ($500 – $800 DIY) • 100 ft: $2,500 – $4,500 installed ($1,200 – $2,000 DIY) • 200 ft: $5,000 – $9,000 installed ($2,400 – $4,000 DIY) • 500 ft: $12,500 – $22,500 installed ($6,000 – $10,000 DIY).
How much is 20 ft of fence?▼
For 20 linear feet of 6-ft wood privacy fence: • DIY Materials only: $240 to $400 (4 posts, 9 rails, 46 pickets, 8 bags of concrete) • Professional Contractor installation: $500 to $900.
How much is 40 feet of fencing?▼
For 40 linear feet of 6-ft wood privacy fence: • DIY Materials only: $480 to $800 (6 posts, 15 rails, 92 pickets, 12 bags of concrete) • Professional Contractor installation: $1,000 to $1,800.
How much is 100 feet of fencing?▼
For 100 linear feet of 6-ft wood privacy fence: • DIY Materials only: $1,200 to $2,000 (14 posts, 39 rails, 230 pickets, 28 bags of concrete) • Professional Contractor installation: $2,500 to $4,500.
How much would a 200 ft privacy fence cost?▼
A 200-foot 6-foot wood privacy fence typically costs: • DIY Materials: $2,400 to $4,000 (approx. 26 posts, 75 rails, 460 pickets, 52 bags of concrete) • Turnkey Professional Installation: $5,000 to $9,000.
How much is a 500 foot fence?▼
For 500 linear feet of perimeter fencing: • Wood Privacy (6 ft): $6,000 – $10,000 DIY | $12,500 – $22,500 contractor installed • Post & Rail / Split Rail: $3,500 – $6,000 DIY | $7,500 – $14,000 installed • Chain Link (4 ft): $3,000 – $5,500 DIY | $6,500 – $12,000 installed.

Fence Paint & Stain Coverage

how much fence paint do i need calculator▼
One standard gallon of exterior fence paint or solid stain covers approx. 175 to 250 square feet of rough, weathered wood (or 250 to 350 sq ft on smooth new wood). For a 100-foot by 6-foot fence (600 sq ft single side, 1,200 sq ft both sides): • Single side (2 coats): 5 to 6 gallons • Both sides (2 coats): 10 to 12 gallons.
how much paint for fence calculator▼
To calculate gallons of paint or stain for your fence: 1. Total Surface Area = Length (ft) × Height (ft) × (1 or 2 sides). 2. Gallons per coat = Total Surface Area ÷ 200 sq ft/gal. 3. Multiply by number of coats (2 coats recommended for weather protection). Formula: Total Gallons = Math.ceil((Total Area × 2) ÷ 200).