Fence Calculator

A fence is counted in pieces rather than in area, because pickets, posts and rails are bought as separate items with their own spacing rules. The picket count comes from the fence line divided by the width of one picket plus one gap; the post count comes from the same line divided by the post spacing; and the rails run between the posts, so their quantity follows the number of bays. Gaps and spacing are where the design lives. Tight pickets with a small gap give privacy and a solid look but trap wind and need strong posts. Wider gaps let air through, which reduces wind load and lets more light in, but the fence sees through. Privacy usually calls for a gap of no more than half a picket width, while a decorative or boundary fence can be much more open. Posts carry the load, so their spacing matters more than it looks. A typical timber fence uses posts every eight feet, with deeper or concrete-set posts on exposed or heavy fences. Setting posts in concrete and below the frost line prevents the slow heave that eventually loosens a fence, and the concrete itself — typically a couple of bags per post — is a material cost that is easy to leave out of the estimate. This calculator gives pickets, posts, rail length and a concrete allowance from your dimensions and spacing. It assumes a straight line of even ground; slopes need shorter bays or stepped rails, and corners need bracing posts. Measure the actual line with a string rather than pacing it, and check local rules on fence height and setback before you dig.

This calculator returns estimates for planning and general information only. It is not engineering, architectural, structural, electrical or code advice, and it cannot replace a qualified professional who has seen the site. Material quantities depend on the actual dimensions, the product you buy and local building codes, so confirm the figures before ordering materials or starting work, and always follow local regulations.