Free tool
Fence Calculator
Enter your fence length and spacing and get exactly what to order — posts, sections, rails, pickets, and material cost. Free, no signup for the estimate.
Materials needed
0 posts
- Sections0
- Posts0
- Rails0
- Pickets0
- Material cost—
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Or download it now (PDF)How to estimate a fence
A fence bill of materials is mostly counting: how many posts, how much rail, how many pickets. Get the post layout right and the rest follows. The trap is forgetting the extra post at every end, corner, and gate — that’s the number that leaves you one short.
1. Measure the total run
Add up every straight length of fence in linear feet. Note where the corners and gate openings fall — each one is an extra post beyond the straight-run math below.
2. Lay out posts and sections
Divide length by post spacing (6–8 feet is standard) to get sections, then add one post for the far end of a straight run. Corners and gate posts add to that. Closer spacing means a stiffer fence that holds up better in wind and on slopes.
3. Count rails and pickets
Rails are sections × rails-per-section — two for a low fence, three for a 6-foot privacy fence so pickets don’t bow. For a solid privacy fence, pickets are the total length in inches divided by picket width (about 5.5 inches for a standard dog-ear). Set picket width to zero for rail or chain-link fence.
4. Don’t forget concrete and hardware
Each post usually takes one to two bags of concrete to set — use the concrete calculator for the exact bag count — plus hinges, latches, screws, and post caps. Those small lines add up on a long run, so price them in rather than eating them.
Measuring the job is step one. Turning it into a priced, professional quote is faster inside CrewRivet. See the concrete calculator, the job pricing calculator, or the roofing calculator.
Fence calculator FAQ
- How many fence posts do I need?
- Divide the total fence length by your post spacing to get the number of sections, then add one — a straight run needs a post at both ends. For 120 feet of fence at 8-foot spacing that’s 15 sections and 16 posts. Corners and gate openings each add a post, so bump the count for those.
- How far apart should fence posts be?
- Six to eight feet on center is standard for wood and vinyl privacy fence; eight feet is the common default because it matches pre-cut rail and panel lengths. Chain-link can stretch to 10 feet. Closer spacing means more posts and a stiffer, longer-lasting fence — worth it in wind or on slopes.
- How many pickets are in a fence?
- For a solid privacy fence, divide the total length in inches (feet × 12) by the picket width. Standard dog-ear pickets are about 5.5 inches wide, so 100 feet needs roughly 218 pickets butted tight. Add a little for spacing or trim. Set the picket width to 0 if you’re building rail or chain-link fence with no pickets.
- How many rails per fence section?
- Two rails is typical for a fence up to about 5 feet, and three rails for 6-foot privacy fence to keep the pickets from bowing. Heavier or taller fences sometimes run four. The calculator multiplies your rails-per-section by the number of sections for the total rail count.
- Is this fence calculator free?
- Yes — the live estimate is free with no email required. Enter your email only if you want the free Job Pricing Kit (pricing worksheet, markup cheat-sheet, and invoice + quote templates) sent to your inbox.