Fence Calculator — Posts, Rails, Pickets & Cost

    Calculate all the materials for your fence project including posts, rails, pickets, concrete, and screws. Supports privacy, semi-privacy, picket, and ranch rail styles at any height and length.

    $/ picket

    Tips

    • Post depth — bury at least 2 ft for stability; 3 ft for 8-ft fences or frost-prone areas.
    • Concrete — one 50-lb bag of quick-set per post hole is standard for 4×4 posts.
    • Building codes — check local setback, height, and permit requirements before building.
    • Gate posts — use 4×6 or 6×6 for gate posts to handle the extra weight and stress.
    • 8-ft spacing — standard for most fences; use 6 ft in high-wind areas.

    Example Calculation

    Building a 150-foot privacy fence at 6 feet tall with 5.5-inch pickets, 8-foot post spacing, and 3 rails? You need approximately 20 posts (8 ft each), 57 rails, 344 pickets, 20 bags of concrete, and about 21 boxes of screws. At $3–$5 per picket, the pickets alone cost $1,032–$1,720.

    Fence Materials by Length

    LengthPostsPicketsConcrete
    50 ft81158
    100 ft1423014
    150 ft2034420
    200 ft2645926

    6 ft privacy fence, 8 ft post spacing, 5.5" pickets.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many pickets do I need per foot of fence?

    For a privacy fence with 5.5-inch (1×6) pickets and no gaps, approximately 2.2 pickets per linear foot. Semi-privacy with 1-inch gaps uses about 1.8 per foot.

    How far apart should fence posts be?

    8 feet is standard for most residential fences. Use 6 feet for taller fences (8 ft) or windy areas. Never exceed 10 feet between posts.

    How deep should fence posts be set?

    Bury at least one-third of the total post length. For a 6-foot fence, use 8-foot posts with 2 feet in the ground. For an 8-foot fence, bury 2.5–3 feet.

    How much concrete per fence post?

    One 50-lb bag of fast-setting concrete per post for a standard 10-inch diameter hole at 24 inches deep.

    Do I need a permit for a fence?

    Most areas require permits for fences over 6 feet. Many neighborhoods have HOA rules on style and height. Always check local building codes and call 811 to locate underground utilities before digging.

    Choosing between vinyl and wood? See our vinyl vs wood fence comparison.

    Typical Results

    Small yard(100 LF, 6' privacy)13 posts, ~200 pickets
    Average yard(150 LF, 6' privacy)19–20 posts, ~300 pickets
    Large yard(200 LF, 6' privacy)26 posts, ~400 pickets

    💡 Don't forget to subtract gate openings from total fence length before calculating pickets.