Fence material calculator

Fence Material Calculator

Build a fence takeoff before you price labor: posts, sections, rails, pickets or panels, concrete bags, waste, and optional material cost. Fast jobsite math, not bid software.

Units

Total fence length (ft) Gate count Width per gate (ft) Post spacing / section width (ft) Material mode Picket / board width (in) Picket gap (in) Rails per section Concrete bags per post Waste / extras (%) Optional material cost per picket/panel ($) Optional cost per post ($)

Main material to buy

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Posts

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Rails

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Concrete bags

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Sections

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Material cost

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Material count is not code approval

Check property lines, setbacks, permits, buried utilities, post depth, frost line, wind exposure, pool-barrier rules, fasteners, and the fence manufacturer’s details before ordering or digging.

Android App

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Fence Cost Calculator

Turn the material takeoff into a wider material-and-labor estimate.

Post Hole Concrete

Calculate fence post hole concrete bags from diameter, depth, post size, and bag yield.

Deck Railing Posts

Use similar post-spacing math for guardrail runs before baluster layout.

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Fence material formula

Priced run ft = max(total fence ft − gate openings ft, 0)

Sections = ceil(priced run ÷ post spacing)

Posts = sections + 1 + gate posts

Pickets = ceil(priced run inches ÷ (picket width + gap)) × waste

Rails = sections × rails per section × waste

Example

A 120 ft fence with one 4 ft gate, 8 ft spacing, 5.5 in pickets, 0.25 in gaps, two rails per section, and 10% waste needs 15 sections, 18 posts, about 268 pickets, 33 rails, and 36 concrete bags at two bags per post.A 36.6 m fence with one 1.2 m gate, 2.4 m spacing, 140 mm pickets, 6 mm gaps, two rails per section, and 10% waste needs 15 sections, 18 posts, about 268 pickets, 33 rails, and 36 concrete bags at two bags per post.

What to verify before ordering

Corner posts, terminal posts, braces, terrain changes, and direction changes can add posts and hardware.
Panelized vinyl, metal, composite, and prefab wood fences should use the supplier’s exact panel width and hardware list.
Concrete bags per post depend on hole diameter, depth, soil, post size, and local frost-line requirements.

Fence material calculator FAQ

How do I calculate fence materials?+

Measure the total fence length, subtract gate openings, divide the remaining run by post spacing or panel width, then count posts, rails, pickets or panels, concrete bags, waste, and optional material cost. VibeCalc rounds material counts up so the order list is not short.Measure the total fence length, subtract gate openings, divide the remaining run by post spacing or panel width, then count posts, rails, pickets or panels, concrete bags, waste, and optional material cost. VibeCalc rounds material counts up so the order list is not short.

How many fence pickets do I need?+

Fence pickets equal the priced fence run divided by picket width plus gap, rounded up, then multiplied by waste. For example, a 6 in picket with a 0.25 in gap uses a 6.25 in module.Fence pickets equal the priced fence run divided by picket width plus gap, rounded up, then multiplied by waste. For example, a 150 mm picket with a 6 mm gap uses a 156 mm module.

How many fence posts do I need?+

For one straight run, sections plus one gives the basic end and line posts. Gates usually add two gate posts per gate. Corners, bracing, direction changes, slopes, and terminal conditions can add posts on a real job.For one straight run, sections plus one gives the basic end and line posts. Gates usually add two gate posts per gate. Corners, bracing, direction changes, slopes, and terminal conditions can add posts on a real job.

Does this replace local fence code?+

No. This is a material takeoff helper. Property lines, post depth, frost line, wind load, pool barriers, guard rules, permits, utilities, and manufacturer specs must be checked before building.No. This is a material takeoff helper. Property lines, post depth, frost line, wind load, pool barriers, guard rules, permits, utilities, and manufacturer specs must be checked before building.