Fence Calculator
Enter your dimensions for an instant answer — the exact quantity to buy (waste included), a material cost, and an estimated installed cost. Change any figure to update the result live.
| ITEM | QTY | PRICE RANGE |
|---|---|---|
| pickets | 230 | $575–$1,380 |
| posts | 14 | $126–$308 |
| rails | 39 | $156–$351 |
| Estimated material total | $857–$2,039 |
- Post concrete: 28 × 50 lb bags (2 per post)
How much fence material do I need?
Enter the total fence length and height. Built around a standard wood privacy fence — posts every 8 feet, rails per section, and 5.5-inch pickets — the calculator returns every line item: posts (sections + 1), rails, pickets with 5% waste, and two 50 lb bags of concrete per post.
Chain link, vinyl and board-on-board fences use different infill, but the post count and post-concrete math transfer directly: posts are driven by run length and spacing regardless of the panel type.
Formula & methodology
posts = ⌈length ÷ 8 ft⌉ + 1 · pickets = length ÷ (5.5 in ÷ 12), + 5% waste
Sections are the run divided by 8-foot post spacing, rounded up. Pickets assume butted 5.5-inch dog-ear boards; rails are counted per section. Post concrete is two 50 lb bags per post, set below the frost line.
All constants are published on the material reference; the full model is on the methodology page.
100 linear ft, 6 ft high: you need 219 pickets (buy 230 with waste), about $857–$2,039 in materials. See how we calculate this →
Fence cost
Pickets run $2.50–$6 and posts $9–$22 nationally; installed privacy-fence pricing is per linear foot with strong regional swings.
fence cost by state →Frequently asked questions
How many fence posts do I need?
With 8-foot post spacing, posts = fence length ÷ 8, plus one. A 100-foot fence needs about 14 posts.
How many pickets for a 100 foot fence?
For 5.5-inch pickets butted together, about 219 pickets for 100 feet — buy around 230 with waste. The calculator adjusts for your picket width.
How much does a fence cost?
Per our model, a 100 ft × 6 ft wood privacy fence runs about $2,400–$4,100 installed at the US national average — materials are itemized above, and labor dominates. See the fence cost-by-state page for your local range.
How much concrete per fence post?
Two 50 lb bags of fast-setting concrete per post is standard for a residential wood fence; the calculator includes it as a companion line with every result.
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