Fence Calculator

Fence Type

Material

Naturally rot-resistant, classic appearance. Lifespan: 15–20 yrs.

Units

Total Fence Length (ft)

Fence Height (ft)

Gates

Gate width (ft)

Post spacing (ft)

Wastage & cost

Privacy Fence · Cedar Wood

1 gate

Total fence length

150linear feet

45.7 m876 sq ft area

Material breakdown

Posts, rails, pickets, concrete & hardware

Posts

4×4×9 ft · Hole: 10″ dia × 30″ deep

Rails / stringers

3 per section · 19 sections

Pickets / boards

377

18 per section

Concrete (80 lb bags)

2 bags per post

Hardware (screws / nails)

~798

Estimated fasteners, brackets & ties

Gates

4 ft wide each

Total fence area

876 sq ft

Useful for staining or painting estimates

What is a Fence Calculator?

Estimate posts, rails, pickets, and concrete for any fence project

A fence calculator helps you estimate the exact materials needed to build a fence: the number of posts, rails (horizontal stringers), pickets or panels, concrete bags for post holes, and hardware. It eliminates guesswork and prevents costly over- or under-ordering.

Whether you are planning a wood privacy fence, a classic picket fence, a chain link boundary, or a vinyl enclosure, this tool calculates quantities based on your total fence length, height, post spacing, and gate count. You can also toggle on cost estimation to compare DIY material costs against professional installation.

How Fence Materials Are Calculated

Standard formulas used by contractors and DIY builders

The calculator uses standard fencing formulas trusted by contractors and DIY builders:

Posts

Posts = ceil((Fence Length − Gate Width) / Post Spacing) + 1 + (Gates × 2)

Gate openings are subtracted from the fenceable length, then two dedicated gate posts are added per opening.

Rails (Stringers)

Rails = Sections × Rails per Section × Waste Factor

Fences under 5 ft use 2 rails; fences 5 ft and taller use 3 rails per section.

Pickets / Boards

Pickets per Section = ceil(Section Width / (Picket Width + Gap))

Privacy fences use 5.5″ boards with no gap. Picket fences use 3.5″ pickets with 2.5″ gaps.

Concrete

Concrete Bags = Total Posts × Bags per Post

Typically 1–3 bags (80 lb) per post depending on hole depth.

Fence Material Comparison Guide

Compare cost, lifespan, and maintenance by material type

Material	Cost/lf	Lifespan	Maintenance	Best For
Cedar Wood	$15–$25	15–20 yrs	Stain every 2–3 yrs	Privacy, aesthetics
Treated Pine	$10–$18	10–15 yrs	Stain every 1–2 yrs	Budget builds
Redwood	$20–$35	20–25 yrs	Seal every 2–3 yrs	Premium look
Vinyl / PVC	$20–$35	20–30 yrs	Wash occasionally	Low maintenance
Chain Link	$8–$15	15–20 yrs	Minimal	Security, pets
Aluminum	$25–$40	20–30 yrs	Minimal	Ornamental
Wrought Iron	$25–$50	50+ yrs	Repaint 3–5 yrs	Elegance, security
Composite	$25–$45	25–30 yrs	Wash occasionally	Eco-friendly

Approximate US averages. Actual costs vary by region, supplier, and project specifics.

Common Fence Types & Their Costs

Regional pricing examples for popular fence styles

Privacy Fence (Cedar)

150 ft cedar privacy fence, 6 ft high: ~20 posts, 57 rails, ~342 pickets, 40 bags concrete. Material cost: $2,250–$3,750.

Picket Fence (Pine)

100 ft pine picket fence, 4 ft high: ~14 posts, 26 rails, 340 pickets. Material cost: $1,000–$1,800.

Chain Link

200 ft chain link, 4 ft high: ~21 posts, 20 panels, 42 bags concrete. Material cost: $1,600–$3,000.

Vinyl Privacy

150 ft vinyl privacy fence, 6 ft high: ~20 posts, 19 panels. Material cost: $3,000–$5,250.

Material counts shown before waste factor. Add 5–10% extra to account for cuts, splits, and measurement variance.

Post Spacing & Concrete Requirements

Recommended spacing, depth, and concrete per post type

Fence Type	Post Spacing	Post Depth	Concrete/Post
Privacy (6 ft)	8 ft	2.5 ft (30″)	2 bags (80 lb)
Picket (4 ft)	8 ft	2 ft (24″)	1 bag (80 lb)
Post & Rail (4 ft)	8 ft	2 ft (24″)	1 bag (80 lb)
Chain Link (4 ft)	10 ft	2 ft (24″)	1 bag (80 lb)
Board on Board (6 ft)	8 ft	2.5 ft (30″)	2 bags (80 lb)
Shadow Box (6 ft)	8 ft	2.5 ft (30″)	2 bags (80 lb)

Post depth rule of thumb: dig to 1/3 of the fence height plus 6 inches, with a minimum of 24 inches. Always check local frost line requirements.

DIY vs Professional Fence Installation

When to build yourself and when to hire a contractor

40–60% savings

DIY installation eliminates labor charges entirely

DIY requires proper tools (post hole digger or auger, level, string line, saw) and typically takes a weekend or more for a 150 ft fence. Professional installation is recommended for tall fences (8 ft+), sloped terrain, or rocky soil. Contractors typically charge $5–$15 per linear foot for labor.

When to DIY

Flat terrain with soft soil
Standard 4–6 ft fence heights
You have or can rent a post hole digger
No underground utilities in the way

When to Hire a Pro

Sloped, rocky, or uneven terrain
8 ft+ fence heights or heavy materials (iron)
Local permits or HOA approval required
Large projects (300+ ft)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Critical errors that lead to costly rework or safety issues

Not locating utilities first. Always contact your local utility locate service (811 in the US/Canada) before digging post holes to avoid hitting gas, water, or electrical lines.

Shallow post holes. Posts set too shallow will lean or blow over in wind. Dig to at least 1/3 of the fence height plus 6 inches.

Skipping concrete. Posts set in dirt alone will shift over time. Use concrete for every post, especially in soft or sandy soil.

Ignoring property lines. Get a survey if you are unsure of your boundary. Building on a neighbor's property can result in forced removal.

Not accounting for gates. Each gate needs two extra posts and gate hardware. Forgetting gates leads to material shortages.

Zero waste factor. Always order 5–10% extra materials. Boards split, posts crack, and measurements are never perfect.

Ignoring local codes. Many areas have fence height limits (often 6 ft for backyards, 4 ft for front yards) and setback requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions and detailed answers