Fence Calculator
Total linear feet around the perimeter to be fenced
Distance between posts; 6–8 ft is standard for residential fences
Wood Fence Options
Enter Your Fence Dimensions
Fill in your fence length, height, post spacing, and material type to get a complete materials list and cost estimate.
How to Use the Fence Calculator
Enter Your Fence Length and Height
Measure the total linear footage around the perimeter you plan to fence. Enter your desired fence height — 4 ft, 6 ft, and 8 ft are the most common residential heights. Use the quick-select buttons for common heights or type a custom value. Toggle between imperial and metric units at the top.
Set Post Spacing and Material Type
Choose post spacing — 8 ft is standard for most wood privacy fences; 6 ft is common for heavier fences or areas with strong winds. Select your fence material from the seven options: pressure-treated wood, cedar, redwood, vinyl, chain-link, aluminum, or composite. Each material affects the cost estimate shown.
Configure Gates and Wood Options
Enter the number of gate openings and each gate's width. Gates add two posts each but remove that span from picket and rail calculations. For wood fences, configure rails per section (typically 3), picket width (3.5 in standard), picket gap, and nail type. Toggle shadowbox mode for board-on-board fencing, which alternates pickets on both sides of the rails.
Review Your Materials List and Cost Estimate
The results panel shows your complete materials list: total posts, sections, pickets, rails, nails, concrete volume, and surface area. The cost estimate card shows materials and labor ranges for your chosen material, plus a comparison chart for all seven materials so you can evaluate alternatives. Use Export CSV to save your list or Print to create a physical shopping list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should fence post holes be?
The general rule is to bury at least one-third of the total post length underground. For a 6-foot fence, you would use 9-foot posts and dig holes 3 feet deep. However, depth also depends on your local frost line — in cold climates, post holes must extend below the frost line to prevent heaving. The frost line ranges from about 12 inches in southern states to 48 inches or more in northern states and Canada. Always check local building codes, which specify minimum post hole depths for your area. Deeper holes with concrete collars provide the most stable installation.
What is the standard post spacing for a wood privacy fence?
The most common post spacing for residential wood privacy fences is 8 feet on center, which is also the standard length for fence rail lumber. This spacing works well for 6-foot and 8-foot privacy fences with standard 2x4 or 2x6 rails. Some installers prefer 6-foot spacing for taller fences, fences in high-wind areas, or fences built with heavier materials that require more support. Closer spacing (4–6 feet) is recommended for chain-link fences carrying tension fabric. Always use ceiling division when counting posts: a 100-foot fence with 8-foot spacing needs 13 posts (ceiling(100/8) + 1 = 14 posts).
What is a shadowbox fence?
A shadowbox fence, also called a board-on-board fence, alternates pickets on opposite sides of the horizontal rails. From straight on, the fence appears solid because the alternating pickets overlap each other. From an angle, you can see through the gaps. This design uses approximately 40% more pickets than a standard solid fence because pickets on both sides of the rails must cover the entire span. Shadowbox fences are popular because they look the same from both sides (unlike standard privacy fences, which have a 'good side' and a 'bad side'), they allow airflow that reduces wind pressure on the fence, and the design is generally considered more attractive than a flat board fence.
What is the difference between face-nailed and toe-nailed rails?
Face-nailed rails are attached to the front face of posts, so they span the full distance from the center of one post to the center of the next. This means rail length equals the post spacing. Toe-nailed rails are attached at an angle into the side of the post, fitting snugly between the posts rather than overlapping them. Toe-nailed rail length equals post spacing minus the post width. Face-nailing is faster and stronger for most applications. Toe-nailing is sometimes preferred for a cleaner appearance since the rail ends are hidden. This difference affects how much rail lumber you need to purchase, so the calculator adjusts total rail length accordingly.
How much does it cost to install a fence?
Fence installation costs vary widely depending on material, height, terrain, and location. Nationally, residential fence installation runs roughly $10–$20 per linear foot for pressure-treated wood and chain-link, $15–$30 for cedar, $20–$40 for vinyl, $25–$40 for aluminum, and $30–$50 for composite materials. These figures include both materials and labor. Labor typically accounts for about 50% of the total cost. A 100-foot cedar fence might cost $1,500 to $3,000 installed. Always get at least three quotes from local fence contractors, as regional labor rates and material availability significantly affect pricing.
Why should I add a 10% overage to my material order?
Adding a 10% materials overage is standard practice in the construction industry. It accounts for boards that split or crack during installation, cuts made at the end of a fence run that produce short leftover pieces, slight measurement errors in the original fence layout, and materials damaged during delivery or storage. Without an overage, a single miscalculation or defective board can stall your project while you wait for a new delivery. The 10% buffer ensures you have enough material to complete the fence without additional trips to the store, which often results in color or grain variation if materials come from different production batches.