Fences: posts, rails, pickets, panels and concrete

A wood fence is counted from its length and the post spacing. 100 feet of 6 ft privacy fence with posts 8 ft apart and one gate takes 14 posts, 36 rails and 210 pickets, and about 24 bags of concrete to set the posts. Panels instead of pickets change the list but not the posts.

Here is everything we have on fences: the full materials calculator, posts and concrete, picket versus panel, spacing and depth, and the mistakes people make on the first post.

Fence materials by length

A 6 ft picket fence with posts 8 ft apart, one gate and 5.5 inch pickets, worked out by the fence calculator.

Posts, rails and pickets

Post spacing of 8 feet is the usual maximum for wood rails; closer spacing makes a stiffer fence in windy places. Six-foot fences generally get three rails. Pickets are counted from the fence length and picket width, with any gap you want between them.

Setting posts in concrete

The rule of thumb is to bury a third of the post's length, with gravel at the bottom of the hole for drainage. The post concrete calculator works from the hole diameter and depth and subtracts the post itself.

Layout, gates and finish

Mark the line with string, check corners are square, and set the gate posts first, because they carry the most load. Stain or seal once the wood has dried enough to take it.

Every calculator for this topic

Guides

• Common Mistakes When Building a Fence (Posts, Gates, Concrete)Fence mistakes: post spacing, short posts, forgotten gate posts. A 100 ft, 6 ft tall fence with one gate takes 14 posts of 8 ft and 24 bags of concrete.
• How Much Deck Stain Do I Need? Gallons by Deck Size and CoverageA 12 × 16 ft deck needs about 1 gallon of stain for one coat at 200 sq ft per gallon, 2 gallons for two coats. Charts by deck size and coverage, with railings.
• Wood Privacy Fence: Individual Pickets vs Prefab PanelsCompare building a wood fence from individual pickets and rails with using prefab panels: what to buy for 100 feet, the work and the trade-offs.
• How to Square a Foundation, Deck or Frame: 3-4-5 and DiagonalsCheck a frame is square with equal diagonals or the 3-4-5 rule. Charts of the diagonal for common sizes, a worked example, and how to fix a layout that is out.
• Privacy Fence Materials List: Posts, Rails, Pickets and ConcreteWhat to buy for a 100 ft, 6 ft tall wood privacy fence with one gate: posts, rails, pickets, concrete, fasteners and gate hardware, with a length chart.
• How Far Apart Should Fence Posts Be? Spacing and DepthSpace fence posts 8 ft apart on center and bury a third of each post. A 100 ft fence with a gate takes 14 posts and 24 bags of concrete. Hole sizes too.

Other guides that use these calculators: Common Mistakes When Building a Deck (Boards, Joists, Gaps) · How Big Should a Chicken Coop Be? Chart by Number of Hens · How Many Deck Screws Do I Need? Chart by Deck Size · Wood vs Composite Decking: Which Should You Choose? · How to Add, Subtract and Multiply Feet and Inches (With Fractions) · Deck Materials List: Boards, Joists and Screws for a 12×16 Deck · How Many Bags of Concrete Do I Need? Slab and Post Charts

Answers for common sizes

Already know the size? These pages give the worked answer for one common size each, with the inputs filled in so you can adjust them.

Project planners

Planning the whole job rather than one material? These step-by-step planners put the calculators above in the order you will need them.

Frequently asked questions

Related topics

Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier, so check coverage and sizes on the label. Follow local building codes for anything structural. How we calculate.