Fence Calculator – How Many Pickets & Posts Do I Need? | CalcLoft
Find out exactly how many pickets, posts and rails your fence needs.
How many fence pickets do I need?
Each picket plus its gap occupies a fixed width. For 5.5-inch pickets with a 0.5-inch gap: 6 inches per picket. A 100 ft fence = 1200 inches ÷ 6 = 200 pickets. Posts go every 8 feet, so a 100 ft fence needs about 13 posts.
Materials for a standard 100 ft fence
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Pickets (5.5 in, 0.5 in gap) | 200 |
| Posts (8 ft spacing) | 13 |
| Rails (3 per section) | 36 (12-ft boards) |
| Post concrete (50 lb) | 13 bags |
Pro tips
- Add 5-10% extra pickets for cuts and mistakes
- Corner and gate posts need extra bracing — plan 2 posts at corners
- Set posts in concrete below the frost line in cold climates
Fence calculator FAQ
How many pickets for 100 ft of fence?
With 5.5-inch pickets and 0.5-inch gaps: 200 pickets (add 5-10% for cuts).
How far apart should fence posts be?
8 feet is standard. Use 6 feet in very windy areas or with heavy gate sections.
How many bags of concrete per post?
One 50 lb bag per post is standard for an 8 ft spacing; two bags for corner or gate posts.
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