Fence Calculator — Posts, Rails, Pickets & Screws

Perimeter or rectangle in — a full material list out, gates included.

Quick answer: Enter perimeter or length and width to get post count, rail footage, picket math per section, screws and gate hardware, with an 811 dig reminder.

Total perimeter (ft)

…or rectangle: length × width auto-computes the perimeter

Length (ft) Width (ft) Post spacing Rails Picket width (in) Gap between pickets (in) Gates (count) Screws per picket per rail $ per post (optional) $ per picket (optional) $ per rail-ft (optional) $ per gate hardware set (optional)

📏 Measure twice: run string lines corner-to-corner before ordering, and call 811 days before digging — a fence line measured on the wrong side of a property line is the most expensive measurement mistake in DIY.

How to use

Enter the total perimeter in feet, or length × width of a rectangle.
Choose post spacing (6 or 8 ft) and rail count (2 or 3).
Enter picket width and gap in inches; add gates if any.
Optional: enter unit prices for a full materials cost.
Call 811 before digging any post hole.

About this tool

A fence is the most arithmetic-heavy weekend project in the yard: posts, rails, pickets, screws and gates all multiply from the same perimeter. Give this calculator the run as a total perimeter or as length × width and it lays out the list: post count from 6- or 8-foot spacing with the plus-one corner rule, total rail footage at 2 or 3 rails, pickets per section from your picket width and gap, and screws using two per rail per picket plus spares. Add gates for extra posts and hardware, and optional unit prices for a materials total. Before any of it: call 811 so buried utilities get marked before you dig — it is free, usually required by law, and the one step on this page you cannot skip.

FAQ

How much does a wood privacy fence cost installed?

Professionally built 6-ft wood privacy fencing typically runs $20–$40 per linear foot installed in the US; DIY in materials lands around $6–$15 per ft depending on lumber prices. A 150-ft perimeter is therefore roughly $1,000–$2,200 DIY or $3,000–$6,000 installed — sanity-check quotes against your own perimeter.

How deep do fence posts need to go?

Rule of thumb: one-third of the above-ground height, minimum 2 feet — a 6-ft fence wants 2–2.5 ft holes, set in concrete. Deeper is better in sandy soil, and holes should reach below your frost line wherever winters freeze.

Do I really have to call 811?

Yes. It is free, takes a few days to schedule, and in most states it is the law before any digging. Utilities mark gas, electric and water lines so a post-hole auger does not turn a fence project into an evacuation. Every pro does it; every DIYer should too.

How far apart should fence posts be?

6 or 8 feet are the standards — 8 ft is the classic economy spacing used in the per-section math, while 6 ft handles wind, snow load and heavier gates better. Corners and gate posts always get their own set-in-concrete holes regardless of spacing.

How many pickets fit in an 8-ft section?

With standard 5.5-inch pickets and a 0.5-inch gap, the math is (96 + 0.5) ÷ 6 = 16 pickets per section. This calculator runs that same per-section figure with your own picket width and gap across the whole perimeter, so odd sizes like 4-inch pickets come out right.

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Fence Calculator — Posts, Rails, Pickets & Screws

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