Fencing
Fence Material Calculator
Calculate posts, rails, pickets, and sections for a wood or vinyl fence. Includes gate allowance.
Inputs
Live estimate
Pickets needed
209
- Sections
- 13
- Posts
- 15
- Rails
- 26
Live estimate
- Mathematical quantity
- 209
- Material behavior
- Not applicable
- Field conditions
- Not applied
- Ordering rule
- Round up to whole picket / post / rail per component
- Suggested order
- 209
Estimator confidence
HighStraightforward geometry with well-defined material.
- Fence length and post spacing — Post spacing drives section count and post-and-rail totals.
- Picket width and gap — Picket count is set by usable pitch (width + gap), not fence length alone.
- Corners, ends, and gates — Each corner post, end post, and gate opening changes the post count.
- Post-hole concrete — Bagged concrete for post holes is a separate line item and is rounded to whole bags on its own.
- Corners, ends, and gates all need heavier posts than line posts.
- Add one extra picket per 10 feet for cuts and damage.
- Set posts 1/3 of total height below grade at minimum.
- Ordering exact lengths with no waste factor.
- Using line posts at gates and having them sag within a year.
- Skipping concrete on corner posts.
Smart tips
- Ordering 5–10% extra is standard on irregular layouts. Running short costs more than the excess.
How it's calculated
Sections = ceil(fence length ÷ post spacing).
Posts = sections + 1 + gates.
Rails = sections × rails per section.
Pickets = ceil((fence length × 12) ÷ (picket width + gap) × (1 + waste %)).
Material assumptions
- Post spacing: 6 ft for tall fences, 8 ft standard.
- 3 rails for fences over 6 ft; 2 rails for shorter fences.
- Standard picket: 5½ in wide with ¼ in gap.
Frequently asked questions
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These results are estimates only. Confirm quantities, compaction, waste, and delivery requirements with your supplier or project professional before ordering materials.