Fence Materials Calculator: Posts, Rails & Pickets
Planning a wood fence? Enter the total length, height, and post spacing to get the number of posts, rails, pickets, and concrete bags to set the posts.
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How to calculate fence materials
- Divide the fence length by the post spacing (usually 8 ft) and round up to get the number of sections.
- Posts = sections + 1, plus one extra post for each gate.
- Rails = sections × 3 for a 6 ft fence (2 for short fences, 4 for 8 ft).
- Pickets = fence length in inches ÷ (picket width + gap).
- Concrete: about two 80 lb bags per post for a 10″ hole, 2.5 ft deep.
Questions
Fence Materials Calculator FAQ
How deep should fence posts be?
A common rule is one-third of the post’s above-ground height, plus 6 inches, and always below your local frost line. A 6 ft fence usually needs holes about 2.5–3 ft deep.
What is the standard fence post spacing?
Six to eight feet apart. Eight feet is most common for wood privacy fences because rails come in 8 ft lengths.