Fence Material Calculator

Estimate posts, sections, rails, pickets, and concrete bags for a straight-run wood fence from length, spacing, gates, picket width, and post-hole dimensions.

Quick answer

Fence material quick answer

Answer: Fence material planning starts with total fence length and spacing, then rounds posts, sections, pickets, rails, and concrete to practical whole quantities.

Formula: Fence sections are based on total run length ÷ section or post spacing, with endpoints and gates handled as entered.

Example: Because real layouts depend on corners and gates, the calculator exposes the spacing assumptions rather than hiding them.

Reviewed September 1, 2026 · Methodology

Picketed fence length, excluding gates (ft)Maximum post spacing (ft)Gate openings (count)Rails per fence sectionPicket width (in)Gap between pickets (in)Picket waste (%)Post-hole diameter (in)Post-hole depth (in)Post width (in)Concrete bag yield

Ready.
Enter your measurements and calculate.

Worked example

Example

A 100 ft privacy-fence run at 8 ft spacing creates 13 base sections. With one gate, three rails per section, and 5.5-inch pickets, the calculator returns a complete planning list.

References

Sources & assumptions

Sakrete — concrete slab quantity and bag-yield guidance

Last reviewed September 1, 2026. Defaults are starting points; product-specific inputs are editable wherever coverage varies.

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FAQ

Common questions

Why are posts one more than sections?

A straight run has a post at both ends, so the number of posts is one greater than the number of gaps between them.

Does this determine safe post spacing?

No. You enter the spacing based on your design and requirements.

Does it account for gates?

It adds two planning posts per gate, but real layouts can share or reinforce posts differently.

Does it include concrete?

Yes, using the post-hole dimensions and bag yield you enter.