Fence Material Calculator: Posts, Rails, Pickets

23 posts, 46 rails, 161 pickets, and 23 bags of concrete. That was the material list for a 150-foot privacy fence I quoted last month. The homeowner had already gotten a “materials list” from a big box store that was short by 4 posts and had zero overage built in. They would have been back at the store twice before the job was done.

Getting your fence material quantities right the first time saves trips, avoids delays, and keeps your bid accurate. Whether you are a contractor building your estimate or a homeowner planning a DIY project, the math is straightforward once you know the formulas.

Use our Fence Calculator to run these numbers automatically, or follow the step-by-step method below.

Quick Answer: How to Calculate Fence Materials

Divide your total linear footage by your post spacing (typically 8 feet on center) and add 1 to get your post count. Multiply sections by rails per section (usually 2-3) for rail count. Multiply sections by pickets per section for picket count. Add 10% overage to every material line for cuts, waste, and damage.

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Materials You Will Need

Before you start calculating quantities, here is the full material list for a standard wood fence:

• Posts - 4x4 for line posts, 6x6 for corner and gate posts
• Rails - 2x4 horizontal rails (2 for fences under 6 ft, 3 for 6 ft and taller)
• Pickets or boards - 1x6 or 1x4 dog-ear pickets, depending on style
• Post concrete - fast-setting concrete, 1-2 bags per post depending on depth
• Fasteners - galvanized screws or ring-shank nails
• Gate hardware - hinges, latch, and gate frame if applicable
• Post caps - optional but recommended for longevity

Chain link and vinyl fences have different components, but the spacing math works the same way.

Step 1: Measure Total Linear Footage

Walk the fence line and measure the total length in feet. Mark every corner, grade change, and gate location.

Key details:

• Measure along the actual fence line, not property boundaries (most jurisdictions require fences 6-12 inches inside the property line)
• Note any slopes or grade changes. On slopes steeper than about 6 inches per 8-foot section, you will need to step the fence, which can add 5-10% more material
• Mark gate locations. Standard gates are 3-4 feet wide, double gates 6-8 feet

For an accurate measurement, use a 100-foot tape or a measuring wheel. Do not eyeball it. I have seen homeowners guess “about 200 feet” when the actual measurement was 165. That is a 20% error that blows up every material line.

Step 2: Calculate Post Count

This is where most people make their first mistake. The formula:

Post count = (Total linear feet / Post spacing) + 1

Standard post spacing for wood fences is 8 feet on center. For vinyl, it is typically 6 feet on center because panels come in 6-foot sections.

Fence Type	Typical Post Spacing	Post Size
Wood privacy	8 ft OC	4x4 (line), 6x6 (corner/gate)
Cedar board-on-board	8 ft OC	4x4 or 6x6
Vinyl	6 ft OC	5x5 vinyl sleeve
Chain link	10 ft OC	2-3/8” terminal, 1-5/8” line
Aluminum	6 ft OC	2” square aluminum

Important: Add extra posts for every corner, gate, and end. Each gate needs 2 dedicated gate posts (typically 6x6 for wood, or heavy-duty terminal posts for chain link). Corners also need beefier posts.

Step 3: Calculate Rail Count

Rails run horizontally between posts. The formula:

Rail count = Number of sections x Rails per section

Number of sections = Post count - 1 (each section spans between two posts).

Fence Height	Rails per Section
4 ft	2
5 ft	2-3
6 ft	3
8 ft	3

For a 6-foot privacy fence, you need 3 rails per section: one at the top, one at the bottom, and one in the middle. Skipping the middle rail on a 6-foot fence is a common shortcut that leads to warped and sagging boards within a year or two.

Rail length: Standard dimensional lumber comes in 8, 10, 12, and 16-foot lengths. Match your rail length to your post spacing to minimize cuts and waste.

Step 4: Calculate Picket or Board Count

For wood privacy fences, you need to figure how many pickets fill each section. The formula depends on whether you are building a solid fence or leaving gaps.

Solid privacy fence (no gaps):

Pickets per section = Section width (inches) / Picket width (inches)

For standard 1x6 pickets (actual width 5.5 inches) with 8-foot post spacing:

96 inches / 5.5 inches = 17.5 pickets per section (round up to 18)

Shadow box or board-on-board:

You will need about 30-40% more pickets because boards overlap on alternating sides. For a standard board-on-board with 1x6 pickets and 1.5-inch overlap, figure roughly 24 pickets per 8-foot section.

Total pickets = Pickets per section x Number of sections

Step 5: Calculate Concrete for Posts

Every fence post needs to be set in concrete. The amount depends on post size and hole depth.

Post Size	Hole Diameter	Hole Depth	Bags per Post (50 lb)
4x4	10-12 in	24 in (4 ft fence)	1
4x4	10-12 in	30-36 in (6 ft fence)	1.5-2
6x6	12-14 in	36 in (6 ft fence)	2-3

Rule of thumb: For 6-foot privacy fences, budget 2 bags of 50-lb fast-setting concrete per post. This is the number I use on most residential jobs and it accounts for the actual hole size you dig with a standard post-hole digger or auger.

The general code requirement is that the post depth should be 1/3 of the above-ground height plus 6 inches. So a 6-foot fence needs holes at least 30 inches deep (24 + 6). Check your local building codes because this varies.

Step 6: Hardware and Fasteners

Hardware is where DIYers and newer contractors leave money on the table. Here is what you need:

• Screws or nails: Budget 20-24 fasteners per 8-foot section (2 per picket per rail, times 3 rails). A 5-lb box of 1-5/8” galvanized screws covers roughly 350 screws
• Gate hardware: One set of hinges and a latch per gate. Budget for a complete gate at $100-$600 installed depending on material and width (source: Angi 2026 fence cost guide)
• Post caps: One per post, available in wood, metal, or vinyl
• Metal post brackets (optional): T-brackets or L-brackets for rail connections

Worked Example 1: 150 LF Wood Privacy Fence (6 ft)

A standard residential backyard fence with 1 gate:

Material	Formula	Quantity
Line posts (4x4x8)	(150 / 8) + 1 = 19.75, round to 20. Minus 2 gate posts = 18	18
Gate posts (6x6x8)	1 gate x 2 posts = 2, plus any corners	4 (2 gate + 2 corner)
Total posts	18 + 4	22
Sections	22 - 1 = 21. Minus 1 gate section = 20	20
Rails (2x4x8)	20 sections x 3 rails	60
Pickets (1x6x6)	20 sections x 18 pickets	360
Concrete (50 lb bags)	22 posts x 2 bags	44
Screws (5 lb box)	20 sections x 22 fasteners = 440 / 350 per box	2 boxes
Gate hardware	1 set	1

Add 10% overage to pickets and rails: 360 pickets becomes 396, 60 rails becomes 66.

At current 2026 prices, labor runs $5-$20 per linear foot (source: BLS carpenter wages May 2024, Angi 2026). Your total installed cost for wood privacy typically lands around $15-$45 per linear foot including materials and labor (source: Angi 2026, HomeAdvisor 2025). Prices vary by region, wood species, and local lumber pricing.

Worked Example 2: 200 LF Chain Link Fence (4 ft)

Chain link uses different terminology but the same spacing logic:

Material	Formula	Quantity
Terminal posts (2-3/8”)	Corners + ends + gate posts. Assume 4 corners + 2 gate	6
Line posts (1-5/8”)	(200 / 10) + 1 = 21. Minus 6 terminal = 15	15
Total posts	6 + 15	21
Top rail (1-3/8” x 10.5 ft)	200 / 10.5 = 19.05	20
Chain link fabric (50 ft rolls)	200 / 50	4 rolls
Tension wire	200 ft (bottom run)	200 ft
Tie wires	~15 per post x 21	315 (1 bag)
Tension bars	1 per terminal post	6
Concrete (50 lb bags)	21 posts x 1 bag	21

Installed, chain link costs $10-$30 per linear foot including materials and labor (source: Angi 2026, HomeAdvisor 2025). Prices vary by gauge, coating, and region.

All pricing in this guide reflects 2026 national averages. Your costs may vary based on region, material availability, and local labor rates. Always get multiple quotes for your specific project.

Waste Factor and Overage

Always add overage. Here are the percentages I use on every fence job:

• Pickets/boards: 10% (cuts, splits, and warped boards you reject at the lumberyard)
• Rails: 10% (end cuts, knots, splits)
• Posts: 5% or at least 1 extra (you never want to stop a job because one post is damaged)
• Concrete: 10% (holes dug deeper or wider than planned, plus spillage)
• Fasteners: 15% (dropped screws, stripped heads, extras for future repairs)

On sloped lots, add an extra 5-10% to pickets and rails beyond the standard overage because stepping the fence creates more cuts per section.

Common Mistakes When Calculating Fence Materials

1. Forgetting gate posts are separate. Gate posts need to be heavier (6x6 for wood) and have their own concrete. Do not try to use a standard 4x4 as a gate post. The constant swinging will work it loose within a season.

2. Not accounting for corners. Every corner is an extra post that does not show up in the simple “divide by spacing” formula. Walk the fence line and count corners before you do the math.

3. Skipping the middle rail on 6-foot fences. Two rails on a 6-foot fence looks fine on day one. Give it a year of weather and those pickets start cupping and warping. Three rails cost a few dollars more but save a callback.

4. Using the wrong post depth. A 4-foot fence does not need a 36-inch hole. A 6-foot fence does not get a 24-inch hole. Match the depth to the height, or you are either wasting concrete or setting yourself up for a leaning fence.

5. Zero overage. Buying the exact calculated quantity means you will be making a second trip to the lumberyard. Build 10% overage into every material line. The few extra dollars up front are cheaper than the lost time.

FAQ

How many fence posts do I need for 100 feet?

For 100 linear feet with standard 8-foot spacing: (100 / 8) + 1 = 13.5, round up to 14 posts. Add extra posts for any corners, gates, or ends. A typical 100-foot fence with 2 corners and 1 gate needs about 17-18 posts total.

How far apart should fence posts be?

Standard spacing for wood fences is 8 feet on center. Vinyl panel fences use 6 feet on center because panels come pre-made at 6-foot widths. Chain link can go up to 10 feet on center because the fabric provides continuous support between posts.

How many bags of concrete per fence post?

For a standard 4x4 post in a 6-foot fence, plan on 1.5-2 bags of 50-lb fast-setting concrete. For 6x6 gate or corner posts, use 2-3 bags. The hole should be 3 times the post width and at least 30 inches deep for a 6-foot fence (per IRC building code guidelines).

How do I calculate pickets for a fence?

Measure the total fence length in inches, divide by the picket width (a 1x6 is actually 5.5 inches wide), and that gives you the total picket count for a solid privacy fence. Add 10% for waste. For board-on-board or shadow box styles, add 30-40% extra to account for the overlap.

What is the cheapest fence material?

Chain link is the most affordable at $10-$30 per linear foot installed (source: Angi 2026 fence cost guide). For a wood option, pressure-treated pine privacy fencing typically runs $15-$30 per linear foot installed. See our Fence Cost Guide for a full breakdown by material type.

Build Your Fence Estimate the Right Way

Nailing down your material quantities is half the battle. The other half is turning those quantities into a professional estimate that wins the job.

EstimationPro does not just help you calculate materials. It builds the full estimate, generates a branded proposal, and then automatically follows up with the homeowner so you do not lose the job to a faster reply. Snap a photo of the fence line, add your notes, and get a complete estimate you can send in minutes instead of hours.

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