Fencing Calculators

A fence is mostly arithmetic: how many posts at what spacing, how many pickets with what gap, how deep to set the posts and how much concrete to buy. Getting these right before you shop saves trips and money, and getting the post depth and layout right decides how long the fence stands.

Which tool answers which question

• Concrete for Fence Posts Calculator: Calculate how many bags of concrete you need to set your fence posts.
• Fence Calculator: Get an overall materials estimate: posts, rails, and pickets for a wood fence run.
• Fence Cost Calculator: Estimate total project cost for a wood fence, including materials, labor, and gates.
• Fence Picket Calculator: Calculate the number of pickets needed to cover a fence run at your chosen spacing.
• Fence Post Calculator: Find exactly how many fence posts you need for a given length and spacing.
• Fence Post Depth Calculator: Find the recommended hole depth for setting fence posts, plus an optional frost-line check for cold climates.

Posts, depth and concrete

Post spacing is set by the panel or rail length, commonly six to eight feet. Posts are usually buried about a third of their length, with more in frost-prone climates and soft soils, and the concrete volume is the hole minus the post, divided into bags by the yield printed on the bag. Local frost depth, soil and wind can all change the numbers, so check what your area requires.

Pickets and cost

Picket counts come from the fence length divided by the picket width plus the gap, and the cost tool adds posts, rails, hardware, concrete and labor. Fence height, style and setbacks are set by local rules and sometimes a homeowners association, and a survey or the deed shows where the property line is. Call 811 before you dig post holes.

Common mistakes

• Digging before calling 811. Buried lines are a real hazard.
• Guessing the property line. Confirm it before you build.
• Skimping on post depth. Posts that are too shallow lean.
• Ignoring local height and style rules. Check the code and any association rules.