Fence calculator
How much material do I need for a fence?
Estimate posts, rails, and pickets for a privacy fence based on property length, fence height, and number of rails.
Fence calculator
Fence calculator result
Fence building tips
- Post depth: Bury posts 1/3 of the fence height plus 6 inches (minimum 24 inches)
- Post spacing: 8 feet is standard; reduce to 6 feet in windy areas
- Concrete: Use one 60-lb bag per post for most fences
- Picket spacing: 1/8 to 1/4 inch gap for airflow and expansion
- Gate opening: Leave 3-4 feet for pedestrian gates, 10-12 feet for drive gates
Worked example
For example, for a 50-ft fence section, 6 ft tall, with 3 rails per section:
- Sections at 8-ft spacing = 50 ÷ 8 = 6.25 → 7 sections
- Posts = 7 + 1 = 8 posts
- Rails = 7 × 3 = 21 rails
- Pickets = (50 × 12) ÷ 5.5 = 109 pickets
- Add 5% for waste: 115 pickets, 9 posts, 23 rails
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Setting posts too shallow | Posts should be set at least 2 ft deep for a 6-ft fence, or 1/3 of total height |
| Not checking property lines | Always verify property boundaries before digging — neighbor disputes are expensive |
| Using the wrong post-hole concrete | Use fast-setting concrete that needs no mixing — just pour dry and add water |