Fence material takeoffs have more moving parts than they look like — post spacing, picket counts, rail runs, and gate deductions all interact, and getting one wrong throws off the whole order. This calculator takes your fence type and run length, handles gate deductions automatically, and returns exact posts, rails, and pickets alongside a full material and labor cost.
160 linear ft, 6 ft wood privacy, 8 ft post spacing, 1 single gate (4 ft). Posts $12.50, rails $8, pickets $1.85, labor $12/ft.
90 ft, vinyl panels, 8 ft spacing, 2 gates (10 ft total). Panels $65 each.
320 ft, 10 ft post spacing, 3 walk gates. Labor $12/ft.
Standard spacing is 8 feet for wood privacy fences. Chain link commonly uses 10 feet. Split rail uses 8–10 feet. Shorter spacing (6 ft) gives a stronger fence in areas with high wind loads. Posts at 8-foot spacing require fewer posts (less cost) while maintaining structural integrity for a 6-foot wood fence.
Standard 3.5-inch pickets installed with a small gap use approximately 3 pickets per linear foot (or 3.43 per foot with standard 1/2" gaps). Shadowbox (good-neighbor) fences use roughly double the pickets. This calculator uses 3.43 pickets/ft for standard privacy fencing.
Subtract the gate width from the total fence run when calculating materials — gates have their own frame kit and hardware. Add 2 extra posts per gate (one per side). This calculator automatically handles gate deductions and adds gate posts to the total.
Posts should be set at least 1/3 of their total length in the ground, minimum 2 feet. For a 6-foot fence with 8-foot posts, set 2 feet deep. In frost-prone areas, set below the frost line (check your local code). Use concrete around posts in loose or sandy soil.
A privacy fence has solid pickets on one side — looks finished from only one side. A shadowbox (good-neighbor) fence alternates pickets on both sides so both neighbors get an attractive view. Shadowbox requires roughly double the pickets and is ~40% more material cost.