Fence Calculator
Your estimate
Posts21
Sections19
- Rails
- 38
- Pickets
- 501
- Concrete bags for the posts · 50 lb fast-setting
- 57
Privacy, picket or split-rail fences — every post, rail, picket and bag of post concrete.
Updated 2026-10-20 · Based on: standard lumber and sheet sizes.
How to use the Fence Calculator
- Enter the total fence length and the post spacing (8 ft is standard for wood).
- Add gates and their width.
- Choose the style and the picket width and gap.
- Enter the hole size for the concrete count.
Formula
Sections = (length − gate widths) ÷ post spacing (rounded up). Posts = sections + 1 + gates.
Pickets = fence length ÷ (picket width + gap). Rails = sections × rails per section.
Worked example
With the values preset in the calculator above:
- Fence length
- 150 ft
- Post spacing
- 8 ft
- Post width
- 3.5 in
- Picket width
- 3.5 in
- Gap
- 0.5 in
- Rails per section
- 2
- Gates
- 1
- Gate width
- 4 ft
- Fence style
- Privacy (no gaps)
- Hole diameter
- 10 in
- Hole depth
- 2 ft
- Concrete bag
- 50 lb fast-setting
- Posts
- 21
- Sections
- 19
- Rails
- 38
- Pickets
- 501
- Concrete bags for the posts
- 57
Frequently asked questions
How many posts for a 150 ft fence?
At 8 ft spacing with one 4 ft gate: 21 posts and 19 sections.
How many pickets for 100 ft of privacy fence?
With 3½ in pickets and no gap: about 343 pickets.
How deep should fence posts be?
About one third of the post’s height above ground, and at least 2 ft — deeper than the frost line in cold climates.
More calculators
Estimates only — check quantities with your supplier and local building code before you order.