Fence Calculator
Calculate fence materials including posts, rails, pickets, and concrete for footings. Get complete material lists for privacy, picket, or rail fences.
Recommended Tools & Supplies
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Durable fiberglass handle hammer for general construction and carpentry work.
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How to Use This Calculator
Plan your fence project with accurate material estimates for posts, rails, and pickets:
- Enter the total linear feet of fence you need to build.
- Select your fence style (privacy, picket, rail) and height.
- Choose post spacing (typically 6-8 feet between posts).
- Click 'Calculate' to see posts, rails, pickets, and concrete needed.
Why This Matters
Fencing materials add up quickly, and fence projects have many components - posts, rails, pickets, fasteners, and concrete for post holes. Running short means project delays, while over-ordering means returning heavy materials or wasting money. Accurate calculations also help you compare quotes from contractors and ensure you're being charged fairly for materials.
- Get complete material lists including often-forgotten items like concrete
- Compare costs between different fence styles and materials
- Verify contractor quotes for materials
- Plan post hole digging with accurate counts
- Budget accurately for the complete project
Worked Examples
Privacy Fence
100 linear feet of 6-foot privacy fence, posts 8 feet apart.
Backyard Enclosure
Fencing three sides of a 50' × 80' backyard (160 total feet), 4-foot picket fence.
Split Rail Fence
200 feet of 3-rail split rail fence for property line, 10-foot spans.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting corner and end posts need extra concrete and may need larger posts.
- Not accounting for gates - gates require special hardware and affect post placement.
- Using 10-foot spacing for privacy fences - 6-8 feet is more appropriate for structural integrity.
- Underestimating concrete needs - each post typically needs 1-2 bags depending on depth.
- Not checking property lines before building - fences built on neighbor's property create legal issues.