Fence Calculator
Estimate fence posts, rails, panels, concrete, and total material cost for any fence style and length. Supports wood, vinyl, chain-link, split-rail, and aluminum fences.
Fence Type
8 ft is standard for wood
2–3 for wood, 1 for chain-link
Standard 10% | Complex layout 15–20%
Material Costs
Default costs reflect typical residential lumber and vinyl pricing. Click "Edit Costs" to adjust for your region or material choice.
Fence Estimate
Fence Tips
- Call 811 before digging — locate utilities
- Posts should be buried 1/3 of their height
- Use 2 concrete bags (60 lb) per post
- Check local codes for height limits
How to Calculate Fence Materials
Building a fence requires accurate material estimates to avoid costly overbuying or frustrating mid-project shortages. Our fence calculator handles posts, rails, panels, and concrete so you can head to the lumber yard with confidence.
Fence Post Calculation
Posts = (Total Length ÷ Post Spacing) + 1 + (Gates × 2)Add 1 for the end post on each run, and 2 extra posts per gate opening (gate posts need extra support). Standard post spacing is 8 ft for wood and vinyl, 10 ft for chain-link.
Material by Fence Type
- • Wood Privacy: 3 rails, 8 ft post spacing
- • Wood Picket: 2 rails, 8 ft post spacing
- • Vinyl: Pre-assembled panels, 8 ft spans
- • Chain-Link: Top rail only, 10 ft spacing
- • Split Rail: 2 rails, no facing boards
- • Aluminum: 3 rails, 6 ft post spacing
Post Depth Guide
- • 4 ft fence: 6 ft post, 2 ft buried
- • 6 ft fence: 8 ft post, 2.5 ft buried
- • 8 ft fence: 10 ft post, 3 ft buried
- • Rule of thumb: Bury ⅓ of post height
- • Concrete: 2 × 60 lb bags per post
- • Freeze line: Dig 6" below frost line
Average Fence Costs (2025)
| Fence Type | Material (per ft) | Installed (per ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Privacy | $8–$15 | $18–$45 |
| Wood Picket | $5–$12 | $15–$30 |
| Vinyl | $12–$22 | $25–$50 |
| Chain-Link | $5–$10 | $12–$25 |
| Split Rail | $4–$8 | $10–$20 |
| Aluminum | $20–$35 | $35–$60 |
How It Works
Choose Your Fence Style
Select from wood, vinyl, chain-link, or other styles. Defaults auto-fill for post spacing and rails.
Enter Fence Length
Add one or more fence sections with length, gate count, and gate width for each run.
Get Your Material List
Instantly see posts, rails, panels, concrete bags, and total material cost. Download a PDF report.
Setting posts in concrete? Estimate concrete for your post holes with our concrete calculator.
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