Enter your Fence Length, Post Spacing, Picket Width, Picket Spacing, and other specs into the Fence Calculator to get your Total Material Cost along with exactly how many 4x4 Posts, 2x4 Rails, Pickets, and Concrete Bags you'll need — so you can head to the hardware store with a real shopping list instead of a guess.
Total Material Cost
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4x4 Posts Needed
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2x4 Rails Needed
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Pickets Needed
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Concrete Bags
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Screws Needed
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Standard fence post spacing is typically 6-8 feet apart. For heavier fences or windy areas, consider 6 feet spacing for better stability. For lighter fences, 8 feet spacing is usually sufficient.
Divide your total fence length by your desired post spacing, then add 1. For example, a 100-foot fence with 8-foot spacing needs (100 ÷ 8) + 1 = 13.5, rounded up to 14 posts.
Multiply the number of fence sections by rails per section. For a 100-foot fence with 8-foot spacing, you have 13 sections. With 3 rails per section, you need 39 rails total.
Typically, you'll need 1-2 bags of concrete per post, depending on post size and soil conditions. For a 4x4 post in normal soil, one 50-pound bag of fast-setting concrete is usually sufficient.
Common residential fence heights are 6 feet for privacy fences, 4 feet for front yards, and 3-4 feet for decorative fencing. Check local building codes as height restrictions may apply.
Calculate by dividing total fence length in inches by the combined width of picket plus spacing. For 5.5-inch pickets with 2-inch spacing (7.5 inches total), a 100-foot fence needs 1,200 ÷ 7.5 = 160 pickets.
Pressure treated lumber is chemically treated for durability and is the most economical option. Cedar naturally resists insects and decay with moderate cost. Redwood offers superior durability and appearance but is the most expensive.