Enter your fence measurements below and get an instant lumber list: how many pickets, posts, rails and bags of concrete your fence needs — plus a ready-to-print shopping list for the lumber yard.
Your fence
How the math works
- Pickets = fence length ÷ (picket width + gap). A 100-ft fence with 5.5-in pickets and no gap needs about 218 pickets.
- Posts = number of bays + 1. Posts sit 2 ft in the ground, so buy posts 2 ft longer than your fence height (8-ft posts for a 6-ft fence).
- Rails = bays × rails per bay. Rails are 2×4s cut to your post spacing (8-ft boards for 8-ft spacing).
- Concrete = 2 bags of 50-lb mix per 4×4 post — the standard for a 2-ft-deep hole.
Tips before you buy
- Pick your wood: pressure-treated pine is cheapest; cedar costs more but resists rot naturally. See our beginner’s wood guide for the full comparison.
- Seal it: a fence lasts twice as long with stain or sealer applied in the first year — our finishing guide walks through the options.
- Check the line: confirm property lines and call 811 (US) before you dig — hitting a utility line is the most expensive fence mistake.
- Buy 10% extra pickets if your lumber yard lets you return unused boards; warped pickets are common.
Frequently asked questions
How many pickets do I need for 100 feet of fence?
With standard 1×6 pickets (5.5 in wide) and no gap, about 218 pickets — the calculator above gives the exact number for your gap and picket size.
How far apart should fence posts be?
8 feet is standard for wood privacy fences; 6 feet is stronger and better for windy areas or heavy gates.
How much concrete per fence post?
Two 50-lb bags per 4×4 post set 2 feet deep is the reliable rule of thumb.
How long do wooden fence pickets last?
Cedar pickets last 15–20 years, pressure-treated pine 10–15 — longer if sealed. Pickets usually fail before posts do.
Building more than a fence? Browse our 25 beginner projects that sell or every guide in the workshop library.