Fence Calculator
Work out the posts, rails, pickets and concrete for a fence from its length and height.
Your result
Enter your numbers and press the button. Your result appears here.
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What is a fence calculator?
A fence calculator estimates the posts, rails, pickets (also called fence boards or slats), concrete and fasteners you need to build a fence. Enter the length of the fence, its height, the post spacing, the number of rails and the size of each picket, and it works out a shopping list for the whole job.
How the materials are counted
Posts = sections + 1 on each run. Rails = sections × rails per section. Pickets = run length ÷ (picket width + gap), rounded up. Post depth = half the height above ground or the frost depth, whichever is deeper.
Example: a 150 ft, 6 ft tall fence with posts every 8 ft needs 20 posts (10 ft 4×4), 57 rails, 345 pickets and 100 bags of fast-setting concrete.
Materials needed at a glance
Worked out with the same settings as the calculator above, changing only the length.
| Length | Posts | Rails | Pickets | Concrete bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | 8 | 21 | 116 | 40 |
| 100 ft | 14 | 39 | 230 | 70 |
| 150 ft | 20 | 57 | 345 | 100 |
| 200 ft | 26 | 75 | 459 | 130 |
| 300 ft | 39 | 114 | 688 | 195 |
Installed cost per linear foot (US)
| Fence | Per linear foot |
|---|---|
| Wood | $20 – $50 |
| Cedar | $27 – $43 |
| Vinyl (PVC) | $30 – $60 |
| Chain link | $9 – $30 |
| Black vinyl-coated chain link | $13 – $40 |
| Aluminum | $25 – $75 |
| Steel | $20 – $85 |
| Wrought iron | $50 – $85 |
| Composite | $20 – $85 |
| Privacy fence (wood or vinyl) | $25 – $60 |
| Wood picket | $10 – $75 |
| Split rail | $12 – $30 |
| Concrete block | $10 – $30 |
| Barbed wire | $1.25 – $3.5 |
| Woven wire (field fence) | $1.5 – $6 |
| Wire fence (any type) | $1 – $10 |
| Cattle fence | $2.5 – $7.5 |
| Electric fence | $2 – $4 |
| Deer fence | $6 – $15 |
| Pool fence | $15 – $25 |
| Horse fence (split rail) | $12 – $30 |
Common questions
How many rails does a fence need?
Two rails for fences up to about 4 ft, three for 5 to 6 ft and four for 8 ft fences.
Should posts be 4×4 or 6×6?
4×4 posts are standard for fences up to 6 ft. Use 6×6 for 8 ft fences, gate posts and windy sites.
How long should fence posts be?
Height above ground plus the depth in the ground. For a 6 ft fence that is usually a 9 ft post, so buy 10 ft stock and cut it, or set 8 ft posts deeper only where frost and soil allow.
How far apart should fence posts be?
Wood fence posts are usually 6 to 8 ft apart. Chain link line posts are no more than 10 ft apart. Wire fences can go wider: T-posts for barbed wire are often 8 to 12 ft apart.
How much does a fence cost per foot?
Installed fences in the US typically cost about $9 to $30 per linear foot for chain link, $20 to $50 for wood, $30 to $60 for vinyl and $50 to $85 for wrought iron, according to HomeAdvisor.
Sources
- HomeAdvisor, Fence installation cost: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/fencing/install-a-fence/
- Quikrete, Concrete Mix data sheet (bag yields): https://www.quikrete.com/PDFs/DATA_SHEET-Concrete%20Mix%201101.pdf
- Quikrete, project calculator (post depth example): https://www.quikrete.com/calculator/