How to use this calculator
- Enter Fence length in ft.
- Enter Height in ft.
- Enter Gates.
- Press Calculate. The highlighted row is your order quantity; the note beneath it translates the number into real-world terms.
Formula & constants
Posts on 8 ft centers = length ÷ 8 + 1. Rails: 2 per section under 6 ft tall, 3 for 6 ft+. Pickets = run in inches ÷ picket width. Each post sets in two 50 lb concrete bags. Every default in the fields above is editable — when your supplier’s spec sheet lists a different density, coverage rate or price, enter that number instead. The waste and compaction allowances follow common trade practice; see our methodology page for the derivation of each formula and the standards it references.
Where this fits in the project
Fence runs are linear takeoffs: posts on 8 ft centers, two or three rails per section, then infill. Every post needs a hole below frost line — check the post depth calculator — and about two bags from the concrete bag calculator to set it.
How this connects to your project
No quantity stands alone — each material in the chain depends on the ones around it. These are the planning steps that pair with the fence calculator:
- Fence Cost Calculator — Calculate materials before estimating fence cost.
- Fence Post Depth Calculator — Fence posts need proper depth for stability.
- Picket Fence Calculator — Picket fence is a specific fence style.
- Chain Link Fence Calculator — Chain link is a specific fence type.
- Concrete Bag Calculator — Fence posts are set in concrete.
- Deck Calculator — Fences and decks are complementary outdoor structures.
Frequently asked questions
How many posts for 100 ft of fence?
14 line posts at 8 ft spacing plus extra posts at each gate — gates hang on their own reinforced posts.
Should fence posts be 8 ft apart?
8 ft max for wood; 6 ft in high-wind zones or for heavy solid-board designs.
Last verified: — prices reflect current national averages. See our methodology.
Estimates are for planning. Material densities, coverage rates and prices vary by region and supplier — confirm final quantities before ordering, and check local code where structural or electrical work is involved.