Wood Fence Calculator
Enter your total fence length and layout details to get a full materials list: posts, rails, pickets and concrete for setting the posts.
Results
How the fence calculator works
A wood fence is built from repeating sections: posts set in concrete, horizontal rails between them, and vertical pickets nailed to the rails. The calculator divides your total length into sections by post spacing, then counts each component:
- Posts = sections + 1, plus one extra post per gate
- Rails = sections × 2 or 3 (use 3 for 6-ft privacy fences)
- Pickets = fence length ÷ (picket width + gap). A standard "5/8 × 6" picket is actually 5.5" wide
- Concrete = 2 × 50 lb bags per post for a typical 8"-wide, 24"-deep hole
Fence-building tips
- Set posts at least ⅓ of the above-ground height into the ground — 2 ft deep for a 6 ft fence, and below the frost line in cold climates.
- Use 4×4 pressure-treated posts rated for ground contact; cedar pickets and rails can go on top.
- 8 ft post spacing uses fewer materials, but 6 ft spacing is noticeably more rigid in windy areas.
- For privacy with airflow, a ½" gap lets wind through and cuts picket count slightly — enter it in the gap field.
Frequently asked questions
How many fence posts do I need for 100 feet?
With standard 8-foot spacing: 100 ÷ 8 = 12.5, rounded up to 13 sections, which needs 14 posts — plus one more per gate.
How many pickets do I need for a 6 foot privacy fence?
With standard 5.5"-wide pickets butted tight, you need about 22 pickets per 10 feet of fence — roughly 218 pickets per 100 ft.
How many bags of concrete per fence post?
Two 50 lb bags per post is typical for an 8-inch diameter hole 24 inches deep. Bigger holes or 60 lb bags change the count — one 50 lb bag yields about 0.375 cubic feet.
Should fence posts be 6 or 8 feet apart?
8 feet is the standard and matches stock rail lengths. Choose 6 feet for extra rigidity in high-wind areas or when using thinner pickets.