Fence Calculator

Plan posts and panels for a straight privacy or wood fence. Enter length and spacing — optional gates and picket width for board counts.

Inputs

Fence length

Post spacing

Common wood privacy spacing: 6–8 ft on center. Default 8 ft.

End posts

Choose “ties in” if one end attaches to a house or existing post.

Gates

count

Each gate replaces one panel section.

Extra gate posts

Add a latch/hinge post per gate if your layout needs it.

Picket / board width (optional)

Leave blank to skip picket estimate. Example: 5.5 in for 1×6 nominal.

Results

—posts

Panels / sections —

Run covered —

Pickets (est.) —

Assumptions: Panels = ceil(length ÷ spacing), then minus gates. Posts = ceil(length ÷ spacing) + 1 with both end posts (or without the +1 if one end ties in), plus optional +1 post per gate. Gates do not remove line posts. Pickets ≈ (spacing × 12 ÷ board width) × panels, rounded up. Buy a few extras for cuts and culls. Corner posts and sloping grades may need more posts.

Fence calculator FAQ

How far apart should fence posts be?

Wood privacy fences often use 6–8 ft on center. Default is 8 ft. Closer spacing holds up better in wind.

How many posts do I need for a fence?

For a straight run, panels ≈ ceil(length ÷ spacing) and posts ≈ panels + 1 when both ends are included. Uncheck end posts if one end ties into a building.

How do gates affect the count?

Each gate typically replaces one panel. Optionally add one extra post per gate for latch/hinge hardware.

How do I estimate pickets?

Enter board width in inches. Pickets per panel ≈ (spacing × 12) ÷ width, then × panel count. Add a little waste when you buy.

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Step-by-step guide: How much fencing do I need? (posts, pickets, rails + concrete) — formula, worked examples, and common mistakes.