Fence Calculator

Planning Your Perfect Fence: A Material Estimation Guide

Building a fence is a rewarding project that can enhance your property's privacy, security, and curb appeal. The key to a smooth and cost-effective build is accurate planning. Our Fence Calculator is a powerful tool designed to help you estimate the primary materials needed—posts, rails, and pickets—for your project, saving you time and money.

The Three Core Components of a Fence

Understanding the basic anatomy of a standard fence is the first step:

• Posts: These are the vertical uprights that provide the main structural support for the fence. They are typically set in concrete at regular intervals.
• Rails: These horizontal boards run between the posts and serve as the attachment points for the pickets. Most fences use two or three rails for stability.
• Pickets (or Boards): These are the vertical boards that make up the main body of the fence, providing the visual barrier and defining its style.

How to Use the Fence Calculator

Our calculator simplifies the estimation process into a few easy steps. By providing the basic dimensions of your desired fence, you can quickly generate a material list.

1. Total Fence Length: Measure the total linear feet or meters of the area you plan to enclose. This is the most critical measurement.
2. Post Spacing: Decide on the distance between the center of one post and the center of the next. An 8-foot spacing is a common industry standard as it works well with standard lumber lengths.
3. Picket Width: Enter the actual width of a single picket in inches. It's important to measure an actual board, as a nominal "6-inch" board is usually 5.5 inches wide.
4. Gap Between Pickets: Specify the space you want between each picket. For a full privacy fence, enter '0'. For a semi-private or decorative look, you might enter a value like 0.5 or 1 inch.

Based on these inputs, the calculator will provide an estimated quantity of posts, rails (assuming three per section), and pickets.

Practical Example: Building a 100-Foot Fence

Let's say you're building a 100-foot fence with posts spaced 8 feet apart. You're using 5.5-inch wide pickets and want a tight privacy fence with a 0-inch gap.

Material Estimation:

• Sections: 100 ft / 8 ft per section = 12.5. Since you can't have half a section, you'll need 13 sections (12 full sections and one half-section).
• Posts: You'll need one post for each section, plus one to end the run. 13 + 1 = 14 posts.
• Rails: For a sturdy fence, 3 rails per section are recommended. 13 sections * 3 rails = 39 rails.
• Pickets: Pickets per foot = 12 inches / 5.5 inches ≈ 2.18. Total Pickets = 100 ft * 2.18 ≈ 218 pickets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)