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Fence Picket Calculator

Calculate the number of pickets needed to cover a fence run at your chosen spacing.

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Pickets to order

Enter your numbers above.

Pitch, not picket width alone, determines your count

Two fences using the same picket can need noticeably different quantities purely based on gap size. Before ordering, confirm the exact gap you intend to build with -- not just the nominal picket width -- since the gap is doing real work in this formula.

How picket count is calculated

Each picket, plus the gap that follows it, takes up a fixed amount of horizontal space along the fence line — this is the picket's "pitch." Dividing the total fence length by the pitch gives the number of pickets needed to fill the run edge to edge.

The formula is Pickets = Fence Length ÷ [(Picket Width + Gap) ÷ 12], with the result always rounded up, since a partial picket at the end of a run still requires a full picket to be cut down.

A small waste allowance is added on top for pickets rejected due to warping, splitting, or knots discovered during installation, and for the odd cut piece needed at gate openings or fence ends that don't land on a clean picket boundary.

Where these numbers come from

The formula and default values in this calculator are based on:

  • Picket pitch (width + gap) method is standard material take-off practice for board-on-rail wood fence construction.

These are planning estimates. Check your local building code, product specifications, and a licensed contractor before you buy materials or build.

Frequently asked questions

What gap should I use for a privacy fence?

True privacy fences typically use little to no gap (0 to 1/8 inch) so pickets touch or nearly touch. Shadowbox or semi-private styles commonly use a gap between 1/4 and 2 inches, and open picket-style fences can use gaps of several inches -- the style you're building determines the gap, not the calculator.

Should I account for pickets shrinking after installation?

Fresh, wet pressure-treated pickets will shrink slightly as they dry, which can open gaps wider than designed on a tight-spaced privacy fence. Some installers tighten the initial gap slightly to compensate; check your picket supplier's guidance if a completely closed fence line matters.

How much waste allowance should I add for pickets?

5% is a reasonable default for standard dimensional fence pickets. Increase it if you're using a lower lumber grade with more knots and defects, since you'll reject more boards during installation.

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