Privacy Fence Materials List: Posts, Rails, Pickets and Concrete
A 100 ft, 6 ft tall wood privacy fence with one 4 ft gate takes 14 posts, 36 rails, 210 pickets and about 24 bags of 80 lb concrete to set the posts. With prefab panels instead of pickets it is 12 panels. Here is the full list, with the assumptions behind each number.
The materials list
| What to buy | How much | How we worked it out |
|---|---|---|
| Posts (4×4, treated, 8 ft) | 14 posts | Fence calculator: 12 sections at 8 ft spacing, plus an end post, plus one for the gate. A post that is 8 ft long is set about 2 ft deep for a 6 ft fence |
| Rails (2×4) | 36 boards | 12 sections with three rails each for a 6 ft fence. Each 2×4 is 8 ft long |
| Pickets (1×6) | 210 pickets | 5½ in actual width with no gap, across the 96 ft of fence (the gate opening is not included). Buy a few extra for bad boards |
| Concrete for the posts | 24 bags of 80 lb | Post concrete calculator: a 10 in hole 24 in deep with a 4×4 post, 10% waste |
| Gravel for drainage | About 4 ft³ | A 6 in layer at the bottom of each hole, so the post bottom is not sitting in water |
| Fasteners | About 1,260 | Two per picket at each of the three rails. Screws hold better than nails |
| Gate hardware | 1 kit | Hinges, a latch, and a diagonal brace or gate frame kit so that the gate does not sag |
| Stain or sealer | 6 gallons | Both faces of 100 ft × 6 ft is about 1,200 ft², at about 200 ft² per gallon for one coat |
Materials for other lengths
6 ft fence, one 4 ft gate, 8 ft post spacing, 1×6 pickets set tight:
| Fence length | Posts | Rails (2×4) | Pickets | 80 lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | 8 | 18 | 101 | 14 |
| 100 ft | 14 | 36 | 210 | 24 |
| 150 ft | 21 | 57 | 319 | 36 |
| 200 ft | 27 | 75 | 428 | 46 |
Before you buy anything
- Find the property line, and check local rules for fence height, setbacks and permits. Many places limit a fence to 6 ft in the back and less at the front.
- Call 811 a few days before you dig so buried utilities are marked.
- Walk the line with a string. Mark every gate and corner, and measure again. A corner post is shared by the two sides, so count it once.
- Check the slope. On a hill you either step the fence in level sections or let it follow the ground, which changes the post heights.
For post spacing, depth and the reasoning behind them, see the fence post guide.
How the job goes
- Mark the post locations along a string line, with gate posts set to the gate width plus the hardware.
- Dig the holes, put a few inches of gravel in each, and set the posts plumb, braced and with concrete. Let the concrete cure for the time on the bag.
- Fix the rails between the posts, with the top rail near the top of the pickets and the bottom rail a few inches above the ground.
- Attach the pickets, using a spacer or a level so that they stay straight, and hang the gate.
- Seal or stain the wood once it is dry enough to take the finish.
Estimates only. Confirm the rules for your area before you build.
Frequently asked questions
How many posts do I need for a 100 ft fence?
14 posts for a 100 ft fence with one 4 ft gate and 8 ft post spacing: 12 sections, an end post, and an extra post for the gate. A corner post is shared by the two sides, so count it once.
How many pickets do I need for 100 ft of fence?
210 pickets of 1×6 (5½ inches actual) set tight across the 96 ft of fence. Panels or a different picket width change the count, and a few spares are wise.
How many bags of concrete per fence post?
About 1½ bags of 80 lb for a 4×4 post in a 10 inch hole 24 inches deep. For 14 posts that is 24 bags.
How deep should fence posts be set?
About one third of the fence height, and at least 2 feet. A 6 ft fence uses 8 ft posts set about 2 ft deep, and deeper where the ground freezes. Ask your building department for the frost depth.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.