Fence Calculator

Enter your total fence length in linear feet, choose a fence style, add the number of gates, and set a waste percentage. The calculator uses verified industry spacing standards to compute posts, rails, pickets or panels, and concrete bags — updating live as you type.

Wood and vinyl fences use 8-foot post spacing (industry standard per nmifence.com and familyhandyman.com, verified June 2026). Chain link uses 10-foot spacing (chainlinkfittings.com, June 2026). Split rail uses 8-foot spacing (splitrailstore.com, June 2026). These are standard defaults — your contractor may adjust for soil conditions, wind loads, or local code.

For standard 1×4 wood pickets (actual width 3.5 inches) with a 0.25-inch gap, each slot is 3.75 inches wide — roughly 3.2 pickets per linear foot. The calculator converts fence length to inches, divides by 3.75, and rounds up.

The calculator estimates 1 bag of 60-lb concrete per post, based on a standard 8-inch diameter hole at 24–36 inches depth (per bobvila.com and mudmixer.com, June 2026). Corner posts, gate posts, and end posts in poor soil may need 2 bags. Always dig below the frost line in cold climates.

Permit requirements vary by city, county, and HOA. This tool does not provide permit guidance — contact your local building department for current setback rules, height limits, and permit thresholds. The tool is for material estimation only.