About the Fence Calculator
Planning a fence starts with counting the parts. This calculator takes the length of the fence, the distance between posts, the number of rails, the width of one picket and the gap between pickets, and gives the number of posts, the number of sections, the number of pickets and the total length of rail. It works in any unit, as long as you use the same one throughout. Type the fence length, the post spacing, the rails, the picket width and the gap and the fence materials appears at once, with a few related figures underneath, and you can copy the result with one tap. The sums run in your browser, so nothing you enter is uploaded.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Fence Calculator
- 1Enter the fence length, the post spacing, the rails, the picket width and the gap.
- 2Pick the units or options from the menus if the fence materials tool offers them.
- 3Read the fence materials in the large result box.
- 4Look at the extra rows for related figures.
- 5Press Copy result to keep the answer.
When you need the fence materials
Homeowners use it to price a fence before they ask for quotes, and to order the right amount of timber. Landscapers use it to prepare material lists, and farmers use it for livestock fencing with posts and rails.
Corners and gates need extra posts, and the end posts of every straight run need a full post. Add one or two posts for each gate and one for each corner, and a few spare pickets for mistakes and for a damaged board.
How the fence materials is worked out
Sections = length ÷ post spacing, rounded up. Posts = sections + 1. Pickets = length ÷ (picket width + gap), rounded up. Rail length = rails × length. A fence 100 feet long with posts every 8 feet needs 13 sections and 14 posts. With two rails, that is 200 feet of rail. Pickets 3.5 inches wide (0.2917 ft) with a half-inch gap (0.0417 ft) sit one third of a foot apart, so you need 300 pickets for the 100 feet.
Every answer on this page comes from that one rule, so you can check any result by hand with a calculator. The figures shown underneath, such as other units, are conversions of the same answer.
- Posts, sections, pickets and rails
- Any unit
- Post spacing and gaps
Mistakes to avoid with fence materials
Keep every length in the same unit. If you measure the fence in feet and the picket in inches, convert the picket to feet by dividing by 12 first. Post depth is not included: a post should be buried about a third of its length, so buy longer posts than the height of the fence.
On phone and computer
On a phone, type into the boxes one after another and read the fence materials underneath; Copy result puts it on the clipboard for a message or a note. On a computer the inputs sit on the left and the answer on the right, so you can change one figure and watch the fence materials move. The fence calculator works the same on both. Posts need footings and the ground needs materials. Use Concrete Calculator and Gravel Calculator for the base, Paint Calculator for finishing, and Area Calculator for the space.
Features
- Same unit everywhere
- Add posts for gates and corners
- Bury posts a third of their length
- Clear messages when the fence materials inputs make no sense
- Copy the result with one tap
- Private: nothing is uploaded
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate fence materials?
Sections = length ÷ post spacing, rounded up. Posts = sections + 1. Pickets = length ÷ (picket width + gap), rounded up. Rail length = rails × length. A fence 100 feet long with posts every 8 feet needs 13 sections and 14 posts. With two rails, that is 200 feet of rail. Pickets 3.5 inches wide (0.2917 ft) with a half-inch gap (0.0417 ft) sit one third of a foot apart, so you need 300 pickets for the 100 feet.
What is the formula for fence materials?
Sections = length ÷ post spacing, rounded up. Posts = sections + 1. Pickets = length ÷ (picket width + gap), rounded up. Rail length = rails × length. The fence calculator applies it exactly and rounds only the displayed answer to six significant figures.
How far apart should fence posts be?
Typically 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) for a wooden fence, closer for heavy panels or windy places.
How deep should posts go?
About one third of the length, at least 2 feet (60 cm) for a 6 foot fence.
Does the tool count gates?
No. Add posts and hardware for each gate yourself.
Is this fence calculator free and private?
Yes. It is free, needs no account and runs in your browser, so the numbers you type are not uploaded or stored.