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Calculate posts, rails, and pickets needed for your fence project.
A fence material calculator estimates the posts, rails, and pickets needed based on total fence length, post spacing, and picket dimensions.
| Material | Installed Cost/LF |
|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated Wood | $12 – $25/lf |
| Cedar | $15 – $30/lf |
| Vinyl/PVC | $20 – $40/lf |
| Chain Link | $10 – $20/lf |
| Aluminum | $25 – $45/lf |
| Wrought Iron | $30 – $60/lf |
Formula
Posts = (Fence Length ÷ Post Spacing) + 1; Pickets = Fence Length ÷ (Picket Width + Gap)Fence Length = total linear feet minus gate openings
Post Spacing = distance between posts (typically 6–8 ft)
Picket Width = width of each picket in feet
Worked Example
100 ft fence, 8 ft spacing, 3.5″ pickets, 1 gate (4 ft)
Did you know? The average American fence is 164 linear feet, and fencing is the most common outdoor home improvement project in the U.S. (source: American Fence Association).
Sources
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