Fence calculator
Enter the fence’s total length and how you want it built. You’ll get a materials list for posts, rails and pickets.
Pickets
219 pickets
- Posts
- 14 posts
- Rails
- 39 8 ft rails
- Sections
- 13 sections
How it works
Sections are the fence length divided by post spacing, rounded up. A straight run needs one more post than it has sections. Rails are sections × rails per section. Pickets are the fence length in inches divided by picket width plus gap.
This assumes a single straight run. Each corner or gate usually adds an extra post. Run each side of an L or U shape separately and add the results.
Example
With total fence length 100 ft, post spacing 8 ft, rails per section: 3 rails (6 ft privacy fences), picket width 5.5 in, gap between pickets 0 in, the answer is 219 pickets.
Tips before you buy
- Call 811 before you dig. It’s free, and they’ll mark buried utility lines.
- Check property lines and any HOA or city rules on height and which side faces out before you build.
- Buy 5–10% extra pickets for warped or split boards.
- Use the fence post concrete calculator to figure out how many bags to set the posts.
Common questions
How many pickets are in an 8-foot fence section?
With 5½ inch pickets and no gap, 18 per section (17.45, rounded up).
How far apart should fence posts be?
Usually 6 to 8 feet. 8 feet is common for wood fences, and spacing them closer makes a sturdier fence.
How many posts for a 100-foot fence?
With 8-foot spacing, 13 sections and 14 posts for a straight run.