Fence Calculator
Estimate posts, rails, sections, and pickets for a fence run.
Estimate fence materials
Material estimate
Whole pickets including waste
- Fenced length
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- Fence sections (minimum)
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- Posts (minimum)
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- Rails (minimum)
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Section, post, and rail counts are minimums. Gate positions are not an input, so each gate can split the run into a segment that needs one extra section: allow up to one more section and post per gate, and rails to match. Counts are exact only when no gates are entered.
Straight-run planning estimate; corners, terrain, brace posts, custom gate structure, concrete, and hardware are excluded. Locate property boundaries and call before you dig — have buried utilities marked before setting any post.
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How to use the fence calculator
Enter the full straight-run length including gates, combined gate-opening width, number of gates, maximum spacing between posts, rails per section, picket width and gap, and picket waste allowance.
Formula and assumptions
Gate width is subtracted from the full run to find fenced length. Sections equal fenced length divided by maximum post spacing, rounded up. Posts equal one more than the number of sections, plus one extra post per gate: sections + 1 + number of gates. Rails equal sections multiplied by rails per section. Pickets use fenced length divided by picket width plus gap, with waste added and the result rounded up.
Why section, post, and rail counts are minimums
The calculator asks how much gate width there is, but not where the gates sit. Those positions are not recoverable from the run length and gate count alone, so sections are computed from the combined fenced length rather than segment by segment.
Because rounding up each segment separately can never total less than rounding up the combined length, this can only ever under-count, never over-count. Each gate splits the run and can create one segment that needs an extra section, so allow up to one more section and post per gate, with rails to match. With no gates entered the counts are exact. Confirm a post layout against the actual gate positions before ordering.
Important limitations
This is a planning estimate for one straight run. Corners, elevation changes, separate segments, terminal and brace posts, unequal bays, post-face deductions, overlapping boards, custom gates, and local wind or frost requirements can change every count. Gate posts may require different sizes, footings, or bracing.
Locate property boundaries and buried utilities before digging. Confirm setbacks, permits, utility-location requirements, post depth, wind loading, pool-barrier rules, and structural details with the appropriate local authorities and qualified professionals.
Frequently asked questions
Does fence run length include gates?
Yes. Enter the entire end-to-end run, then enter the combined width and count of gate openings separately.
How are posts estimated around gates?
The model adds one additional post per gate beyond the posts for a continuous run. Actual corner, terminal, brace, and gate-post layouts may differ.
Why can actual picket count differ?
End gaps, post faces, partial boards, overlap styles, terrain, and how separate fence segments are laid out can change the count.
Does this include concrete or hardware?
No. Footings, concrete, gravel, caps, fasteners, brackets, gate frames, hinges, latches, finishes, and labor are separate.