Fence Material Estimator

Calculate the posts, rails, pickets, and concrete bags needed to build a wood picket, privacy, or post-and-rail fence.

Results are estimates. Check physical dimensions before purchasing.

8 ft is the residential wood standard

Adds extra posts to frame gates

Standard pickets are 3.5\" or 5.5\" wide

Use 0 for solid-board privacy fences

How to estimate fence materials

Estimating fence materials requires determining the number of posts, structural horizontal rails, individual vertical pickets or panels, and concrete bags to anchor the posts securely in the ground.

The Fence Equations

Sections = Ceiling(Total Length / Post Spacing)
Base Posts = Sections + 1
Total Posts = Base Posts + Gates
Rails = Sections × Rails Per Section
Pickets = Ceiling((Total Length × 12) / (Picket Width + Picket Gap)) [For Picket/Privacy style]

Why post holes need concrete

A fence post holds a massive amount of wind load, acting like a sail in heavy weather. Anchoring your wood or metal posts in concrete ensures they stay plumb and vertical. A typical residential fence post requires a hole dug twice the width of the post and about 1/3 of its length deep, filled with approximately two 80 lb bags of concrete. To calculate specific concrete bag requirements, visit our Concrete Bag Calculator.

Style Recommendations

  • Picket Fences: Picket fences are usually 3 to 4 feet tall, utilizing 2 rails per section and spaced pickets to allow wind to blow through.
  • Privacy Fences: Typically 6 feet tall, privacy fences use 3 rails per section to prevent panel sagging and have tightly spaced boards (0-inch gap) to block views.
  • Post & Rail: Agricultural styling with minimal wood usage, relying on horizontal rails (2 or 3) running between posts with no vertical pickets.

Frequently Asked Questions