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A fence estimate lives or dies on the picket count — forget the gaps and you will be one lumber-yard trip short. Enter your total fence length, height and style below to get pickets, posts, rails, concrete and a rough material cost before you buy.
How we calculate
Perimeter: total linear feet minus gate openings. Pickets = fence length (in) ÷ (picket width + gap). Posts = (fence length ÷ post spacing) + 1, rounded up, plus one extra per gate or corner. Rails are typically 2 per 6 ft section (3 for 8 ft privacy fence), and concrete is about one 50 lb bag per post for a 10 in × 36 in hole.
Common picket spacing
| Fence style | Picket width | Gap | Pickets per 8 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy, tight | 5.5 in | 0 in | 18 |
| Privacy with ½ in gap | 5.5 in | 0.5 in | 16 |
| Shadowbox | 5.5 in | ~3 in alternating | ~22 both sides |
| Picket, spaced | 3.5 in | 2.5 in | 16 |
| Ranch rail (no pickets) | — | — | 0 |
FAQ
How far apart should fence posts be?
6–8 ft on center is standard for wood privacy fence. Use 6 ft in windy or frost-prone areas, and set posts at least one-third of their length in the ground.
How much extra material should I buy?
Add 5–10% extra pickets for cuts, warps and mistakes, and one spare post. Lumber yards rarely cut the exact quantity, so rounding up is normal.
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