Fence Calculator
Free fence calculator. Enter fence length, height and style to get the number of posts, pickets or panels, rails and bags of concrete for the posts.
- Posts
- 23
- about 8 ft apart
- Pickets
- 335
- 5.5 in wide, 5% extra
- Concrete
- 46 bags
- 80 lb, 2 per post
- Material cost
- $1,587
Other materials
| Fence run (minus gates) | 146 ft |
| Rails (2 × 4)3 per section | 63 |
| Post hole depthGo below your frost line | 30 in |
Price
$1,587
Posts plus pickets, panels or fabric. Rails, concrete and gates extra.
Default prices are typical U.S. retail figures, reviewed November 2026. Enter your supplier's prices for an exact total.
A fence is built from posts set in concrete, rails between the posts, and pickets, panels or chain link fabric on the rails. The post count depends on the spacing, the number of corners and the gates.
Enter the total fence length, height and style. The calculator works out posts, pickets or panels, rails and the bags of concrete to set the posts, and prices the main materials.
How to use the fence calculator
- Measure the total fence length and count corners and gates.
- Subtract the gate widths from the length.
- Divide by the post spacing (8 ft for wood and vinyl, 10 ft for chain link) and add one post per run end, corner and gate.
- For pickets, divide the length in inches by the picket width.
- Allow about two 80 lb bags of concrete per wood post.
Posts = length ÷ spacing + 1 + corners + gates. Pickets = length (in) ÷ 5.5 × 1.05. Concrete per post = (hole volume − post volume) ÷ 0.6 cu ft per 80 lb bag.
Posts needed by fence length
Straight run, posts 8 ft apart, no gates.
| Fence length | Posts | Pickets (5.5 in) | Concrete (80 lb bags) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | 8 | 115 | 16 |
| 100 ft | 14 | 230 | 28 |
| 150 ft | 20 | 344 | 40 |
| 200 ft | 26 | 459 | 52 |
| 300 ft | 39 | 688 | 78 |
Tips before you buy
- Call 811 before you dig so buried utility lines get marked.
- Confirm your property line; a survey is cheaper than moving a fence.
- Set corner and end posts first, then run a string line to place the line posts.
- Slope the concrete away from the post at the top so water drains off.
Frequently asked questions
How many fence posts do I need for 100 feet?
With posts 8 feet apart, a straight 100 foot run needs 14 posts. Add one post for each corner and each gate.
How many pickets are in an 8 foot fence section?
About 18 pickets 5.5 inches wide laid edge to edge. With a 1/2 inch gap, about 16.
How much concrete do I need per fence post?
A 4 × 4 post in a 10 inch hole 30 inches deep takes about 1.15 cubic feet, or two 80 lb bags.
How deep should fence posts be?
A common rule is one third of the post height above ground plus 6 inches, so about 30 inches for a 6 foot fence. In cold climates go below the frost line.