Fence Calculator

About this Fence Calculator

Fence calculator: count panels, posts, pickets and concrete for any fence line It is one of the Home and DIY on ToolUstad, and like every tool here it runs entirely in your browser: nothing you type, paste or open is uploaded to a server, and there is no sign-up or usage limit.

What is a fence calculator?

A fence is a line of repeated sections, and the materials are counted by the section, not by the foot. Each section is one span between two posts, usually 8 feet, and it needs its rails, its pickets or its fabric, and a share of the posts and concrete. The gate is a section with hardware instead of a plain span. The calculator works from the total fence length, divides it into sections, and counts every part: sections, posts, pickets, rails, concrete bags and gates, then prices the lot from your cost per linear foot.

The three materials differ in more than price. Wood is the classic privacy fence, mid-priced, and needs staining every few years. Chain-link is the cheapest by far, but it gives no privacy, so it suits boundaries and dog runs rather than back gardens. The calculator handles all three, because the post and concrete counts are the same, and only the panel materials change.

How does fence maths work?

A 100 foot wood privacy fence with posts every 8 feet needs 13 sections, because 100 divided by 8 is 12.5, rounded up. Posts are sections plus one end post plus one gate post, which is 15. Pickets are 5.5 inch boards with a small gap, so 100 feet needs 100 times 12 divided by 5.5, which is 219 pickets. Rails are 2 per section for a 6 foot fence, which is 26. Concrete is one 50 pound bag per post, which is 15 bags. At $20 a linear foot for materials, plus $6 per concrete bag and $150 for the gate, the total is about $2,240.

When and why to use a fence calculator

• Before buying materials: posts and pickets come in specific sizes, so a count beats a guess at the store.
• Comparing materials: the same fence line costs very different amounts in wood, vinyl and chain-link, and the calculator shows the gap.
• Budgeting a boundary: a long boundary fence is a big purchase, and the materials are the largest part of it.
• Checking a contractor's quote: knowing the post and picket counts yourself shows whether the quote has padded the materials.
• Planning gates: a gate needs its own posts and hardware, and forgetting it is the commonest budgeting error.

Best practices

• Set posts a third of their height underground, and below the frost line in cold climates, so they do not heave in winter.
• Use 6 foot post spacing in windy areas or for 8 foot fences, because shorter spans sag less and resist wind better.
• Call 811 before you dig, so you do not hit a buried gas, water or electricity line.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Measuring the fence line along the ground instead of in a straight line: a slope makes the line longer than the map says.
• Forgetting the gate posts: a gate needs two posts of its own, plus hardware, and they are not in the section count.
• Setting posts in loose soil instead of concrete: the fence will lean within a year, and straightening it costs more than the concrete saved.

Who is the fence calculator for?

Homeowners fencing a garden themselves, landlords securing a rental, and small fencing contractors pricing a job. The tool is an estimator: ground conditions, slopes and local rules vary, so confirm the height and permit rules with your town before buying.

Current value, checked 10 Nov 2026: the default material price is $20 per linear ft (materials only for a 6 ft wood privacy fence: about $15.70 with pine pickets, $20.30 with cedar). The price box is an optional override: leave the default, or enter your exact price and the cost uses it.

Learn: how to use the Fence Calculator

1. Measure the fence line in linear feet, from corner to corner, and enter the total.
2. Pick the height, the post spacing, and the material: wood, vinyl or chain-link.
3. Add the number of gates, then read the counts and the estimated materials cost.

Features

• Wood, vinyl and chain-link fences in one tool
• Panels, posts, pickets and rails counted from your length and spacing
• Post spacing of 6 or 8 feet, for windy areas or standard builds
• Concrete at one 50 lb bag per post, with gates priced in
• Materials cost from your price per linear foot

Worked example

Frequently asked questions