Wood Fence Materials Calculator
Enter the fence run and style. The calculator lays out sections at your post spacing, counts rails and pickets, sizes the posts, and uses the post-hole concrete formula for the bags.
The math
- Posts = ⌈length ÷ spacing⌉ + 1, plus one per gate.
- Rails = sections × 2 (fences under 6 ft) or × 3 (6 ft and taller).
- Pickets = length × 12 ÷ (picket width + gap), plus 5% for culls.
- Post length = fence height + buried depth (hole depth minus gravel), rounded up to a stock length.
6 ft privacy fence, 8 ft spacing, 1x6 pickets butted
| Length | Posts | Rails | Pickets | 80 lb bags | 50 lb fast-set |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | 8 | 21 | 115 | 13 | 20 |
| 75 ft | 11 | 30 | 172 | 17 | 28 |
| 100 ft | 14 | 39 | 230 | 22 | 35 |
| 150 ft | 20 | 57 | 344 | 31 | 50 |
| 200 ft | 26 | 75 | 459 | 40 | 64 |
Corners and ends add posts. Count each corner as the end of one run and the start of the next. Check HOA rules, setbacks and the 811 utility locate before you dig.
For a complete list with costs, see the 100 ft privacy fence shopping list.
Frequently asked questions
How many pickets for a 100 ft fence?
With 5.5 in wide pickets butted tight, 100 × 12 ÷ 5.5 = 219, plus 5% = 230 pickets.
How many posts for a 100 ft fence?
At 8 ft spacing: 13 sections, so 14 posts, plus extra posts for gates and corners.
How deep should fence posts be?
A common rule is ⅓ of the above-ground height (24 in for a 6 ft fence) plus 6 in of gravel, and at least to the frost line.
Last reviewed October 2026 by Jim Frith. These are planning estimates; confirm quantities with your supplier and follow local codes.