Fence Material Calculator
Project inputs
Enter the total layout length including gate openings. Gate openings are subtracted from rail and panel section length.
Posts and layout
Gates
Rails
Pickets
Height and thickness are used only for the optional board-foot line item.
Results
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Formulas and assumptions
This estimator uses takeoff math for common wood, vinyl, composite, or metal fence layouts. It does not choose a structurally safe post size, embedment depth, footing size, brace layout, or wind rating.
- Gate opening length:
gate count x average gate opening width - Fence panel length:
total layout length - gate opening length - Sections:
ceil(average run panel length / max post spacing) x run count - Line posts:
sections - run count - Total posts:
ceil((terminal posts + gate posts + line posts) x (1 + post waste% / 100)) + extra posts - Rail boards:
ceil(((panel length x rail rows) + gate rail length) x (1 + rail waste% / 100) / rail stock length) + extra rails - Pickets:
ceil(picketed length in inches / (picket width + gap)) x finished sides, then waste and extra pickets are added - Picket board feet:
pickets x picket width in inches x picket thickness in inches x picket height in feet / 12 - Concrete bags:
ceil(total posts x bags per post)
How to measure for a fence takeoff
- Measure the full fence path along the finished fence line, including where gates will sit.
- Count separate runs. A new run starts at an end, corner, jog, or place where the direction changes enough to need a terminal post.
- Enter end and corner posts as terminal posts. Gate posts are added from the gate count.
- Use the maximum post spacing allowed by the fence system, not just the stock rail length.
- For pickets, enter the actual face width and the planned clear gap. For board-on-board or double-sided fences, use two finished sides or add a higher waste factor.
Planning limits
Use this as a shopping-list estimator. Fence height, local code, frost depth, soil strength, wind exposure, gate weight, hinge hardware, bracing, post material, and manufacturer instructions can change the final design and order quantity.
Fasteners, caps, gravel, drainage, stain, paint, latch type, diagonal braces, tension wire, mesh, and specialty gate frames are outside this calculator unless you add them manually to your order.
Fence material FAQs
Should I round each fence run separately?
Yes. Posts create fixed sections along each run. This calculator estimates that by dividing the panel length evenly across the number of runs, rounding each run up, and multiplying by run count.
Are gate posts included?
Yes. Each gate opening adds two gate posts. If two adjacent gates share a center post, reduce the terminal post or extra post count to match your actual layout.
Should pickets cover the gates?
Choose include gate pickets when the gates use the same pickets as the fence. Choose exclude when gates are prebuilt, metal-framed, mesh-filled, or ordered separately.
How much waste should I add?
Simple straight runs may use 5% to 10% waste. Sloped yards, stepped panels, many corners, angled cuts, knots, breakage, or selective board grading can need more.