Fence Calculator
This free fence calculator turns your fence's length, height and style into a full materials list — posts, rails, pickets or panels, concrete and hardware — with a waste allowance, a cost range and a shopping list you can take to the store.
What this calculator does
This planner estimates the materials needed to build a wood or vinyl fence: posts, rails, pickets or panels, post-hole concrete and basic hardware. It applies a waste allowance to cut materials (rails, pickets, panels) and gives a DIY materials cost range alongside a typical professional installed-cost range.
How the math works
- Posts: the fence run (length minus gate openings) is divided into sections at your post spacing (default 8 ft); each gate adds one extra post-to-post section. Post count = sections + 1.
- Concrete: volume of a cylindrical post hole minus the volume the post itself displaces, converted to 60 lb bags at roughly 0.45 cu ft yield per bag.
- Rails/pickets/panels: derived from the fence run length and your chosen style's board width and spacing, then increased by your waste allowance (default 10%).
Worked example
Say you're fencing a 100 ft run with a 6 ft wood privacy fence and one 4 ft gate. The gate leaves a 96 ft run, split into 12 sections at the default 8 ft spacing, plus one section for the gate — 13 sections, so 14 posts. At 6 ft, this style uses 3 rails per section: 13 × 3 = 39 rails, plus 10% waste ≈ 43 rails. Each 5.5 in board with no gap over the 96 ft run works out to roughly 240 pickets after waste.
Frequently asked questions
How many fence posts do I need?
Divide your fence run by your post spacing (commonly 8 ft) and add one. Each gate opening adds one extra post because it breaks a continuous run into its own section.
How much concrete does one fence post need?
It depends on your post-hole diameter and depth minus the volume the post itself displaces. A typical 4 in post in a 10 in x 24 in hole needs roughly half a 60 lb bag.
What is the standard fence post spacing?
8 ft on center is the most common spacing for residential wood and vinyl fencing, matching standard rail and panel stock lengths. Taller or heavier fences, or high-wind areas, sometimes use 6 ft spacing for extra rigidity.
How much does a fence cost per foot?
DIY material costs for a standard 6 ft wood privacy fence typically run $8–$15 per linear foot; professional installation typically runs $28–$45 per linear foot including labor. These are national-average planning ranges, not local quotes.
Do I need a permit to build a fence?
Many municipalities and HOAs require a permit or approval, especially above a certain height (often 6 ft) or near a property line. This planner does not check local codes — confirm requirements with your local building department before you dig.
Limitations
This tool estimates materials and typical costs only. It is not a structural or engineering assessment, does not check local building codes or HOA rules, and is not a contractor quote. Confirm post depth and any permit requirements with your local building department before you dig.
Put this calculator on your site
Run a blog or business site for DIYers, homeowners or contractors? You can embed the Fence Calculator as a free widget — responsive, no registration, and no ads or tracking added to your page.
Cite this calculator
Using this tool in a class, a paper or an article? Copy a ready-made reference: