Fence Calculator
Materials takeoff for a picket fence — not an install bid. Click any i for detail.
Fence run
Run length (ft)
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Length
Total fence run. Subtract gate openings if you want a tighter picket count. |
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Height (ft)
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Height
Picket height. Posts are usually taller. |
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Picket width (in)
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Picket width
A 1×6 picket is about 5.5 in actual. |
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Gap (in)
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Gap
Space between pickets. Privacy fences use a small gap or overlap. |
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Post spacing (ft)
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Post spacing
On-center spacing. 6–8 ft is common for wood. |
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Rails per bay
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Rails
Horizontal rails. Many 6-ft wood fences use 3. |
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Waste (%)
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Waste
Cuts, bad boards, and extras. 8–10% is common. |
How to use this calculator
- Enter the run length.
- Set picket width, gap, post spacing, and rail count.
- Add waste.
- Compare pickets vs the fence installation cost calculator for dollars.
Results explained
Posts = floor(length ÷ spacing) + 1 (both ends). Pickets = ceil(length in inches ÷ (picket + gap)). Rails = length × rail count. Distinct from fence installation cost.
Quick reference: wood fence takeoff
Gates, corners, and slope eat extra posts and hardware.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Typical post spacing | 6–8 ft on center |
| 1×6 picket actual | ~5.5 in |
| 6-ft privacy | Often 3 rails |
| Labor? | See fence installation cost |
Vinyl and chain-link use different piece counts — this page is picket-style wood/composite.
How the estimate is built
posts = floor(L / spacing) + 1; pickets = ceil(12L / (width + gap)); order = ceil(pickets × (1 + waste%)).
Example scenario
80 ft, 5.5 in pickets, 0.5 in gap, 8 ft posts, 8% waste → about 11 posts and ~174 pickets to order.
FAQ
Install price?
Use the fence installation cost calculator.
Gates?
Subtract the opening from run length, then add gate kits separately.
Chain-link?
Not this takeoff — mesh is sold by the roll, not pickets.