How to use this calculator
- Enter fence length. Total linear feet. For multi-sided fences, sum each run.
- Enter fence height. 4 ft for picket and split rail; 6 ft for privacy; 8 ft for tall privacy.
- Set post spacing. 8 ft is the residential standard. 6 ft for windy locations or heavy panels. Closer spacing = stronger but more posts.
- Set picket width. Standard 5.5" actual. Dog-ear and french gothic profiles available 3.5", 5.5", and 7.25".
- Read your bill of materials. Pickets, posts, rails, concrete bags. With prices entered, get a total estimate.
Formula
Pickets = (Length × 12) / Picket Width; Posts = Length / Spacing + 1
Worked example
A 100 ft × 6 ft tall privacy fence with 5.5" pickets and 8 ft post spacing: 14 posts, 218 pickets, 39 rails, 28 concrete bags. At $14/post + $4.50/picket + $6/rail + $6.50/bag: about $1,635 in materials.
Common project sizes
Quick reference for the most common fence calculator use cases. Use these as a sanity check on your calculator inputs.
| Project | Dimensions | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 100 ft × 4 ft picket | 100 lin ft | ~14 posts · 218 pickets · 28 rails |
| 100 ft × 6 ft privacy | 100 lin ft | ~14 posts · 218 pickets · 39 rails · 28 concrete bags |
| 200 ft × 6 ft privacy | 200 lin ft | ~26 posts · 436 pickets · 75 rails · 52 concrete bags |
| 300 ft × 6 ft privacy | 300 lin ft | ~39 posts · 654 pickets · 114 rails · 78 concrete bags |
2026 cost reference
Typical retail price range in the United States for fence. Local pricing varies by region, supplier, and grade — confirm with two or three quotes before ordering.
Per linear foot (installed)
$15 – $60
Pressure-treated 6-ft privacy: $15–$30/lin ft installed. Cedar 6-ft privacy: $30–$45. Vinyl 6-ft privacy: $30–$50. Wrought-iron / aluminum: $40–$70. Chain-link: $10–$20.
How we calculate this
Assumptions baked in
Posts = ceil(length / post_spacing) + 1. Default spacing is 8 ft (the maximum span for a 6 ft cedar privacy fence with 2×4 rails before the rails deflect noticeably). Pickets = ceil((length × 12) / picket_width) with 5% waste. Rails: 2 per section for fences under 6 ft, 3 per section for 6 ft+. Concrete: 2 bags of 60 lb per post (typical for a 10" diameter, 30" deep hole).
Accuracy and margin of error
Post count is accurate ±1 post. Picket waste of 5% assumes a flat-top dog-eared fence — for shadow-box, board-on-board, or scalloped tops, push the waste to 10%. Post-hole concrete is the most over-ordered material; you can get away with 1 bag per hole in light, well-drained soil, but the second bag is cheap insurance.
Edge cases this calculator does not handle
Gates need their own heavier-duty post (6×6 vs. 4×4) and ground anchor — these are NOT included in the count. Hillside fences need stepped or racked construction; the picket count is unchanged but the rail cut count doubles. Corners get TWO end-style posts back-to-back, not a single shared post — add 1 extra post per corner.
Cited sources for this page
The figures and rules above are anchored to the following normative references. We link the underlying claim to its standard — not as generic SEO trust signals, but so you can audit any number on this page against a primary source.
Pressure-treated wood fence posts must meet AWPA UC4B retention (0.40 lb/ft³ for ground contact) to resist rot in the embedded portion.
Source: American Wood Protection Association — UC4B Use Category
Tips for accurate results
- For privacy fences, set posts 1/3 of total height into the ground (e.g., 8-ft post for a 6-ft fence). Adjust for frost line in cold climates.
- Pre-mixed bags of concrete (60 lb) work fine for fence posts. Fast-set is convenient when working solo.
- Pressure-treated southern yellow pine is the cheapest, with western red cedar 30–60% more expensive but more rot-resistant.
- Vinyl fence material costs 2–3× pressure-treated wood but lasts 20+ years with no maintenance vs 12–15 for PT.
- Always add 5% picket waste for damaged or split boards.
When to consult a pro
Fences are one of the more workable DIY exterior projects — physically demanding but mechanically straightforward. The hard parts are 1) keeping posts plumb until concrete sets, and 2) maintaining straight runs across uneven ground. Hire a pro for: gates wider than 4 ft, pool fences (code-mandated swing/latch requirements), retaining wall-integrated fences, and any run over 200 ft (rental of a power auger pays for itself).