Free visual project calculator

Fence Calculator

Turn a fence run into a practical material takeoff. Estimate posts, pickets, rails, concrete and fasteners before making your material list.

Units
STEP 1

How much fence are you building?

Enter the total fence run. The material list and layout update instantly.

ft
Live project plan · 0°
YARDRun100 ft
Is your fence more than one straight run?

Choose the shape, then enter each dimension. The plan updates immediately as you edit.

MATERIAL ESTIMATE

What you'll need

100 ft fence · updates as you edit
14Posts
39Rails
236Pickets
4580-lb bags
1730Fasteners

Concrete estimate uses 12 in diameter × 36 in deep post holes. Change this under Customize project details.

The live project plan above reflects the selected shape, dimensions and gate openings. 13 bays total · 7.69 ft average spacing.

PROJECT TAKEOFF

What you'll need

Key purchase quantities from the same complete BOM used below.

4580-lb concrete bags
236Pickets
14Posts
39Rails
6.05 cubic ftDrainage gravel for post holes
1730Fasteners

The preview and copied list come from the shared BOM. Planning estimate — verify product sizes, structural requirements and local conditions before purchasing.

PURCHASE PLAN

Materials & tools

The same bill of materials and price engine used by the project-cost card below.

Materials to buy

45 80-lb concrete bagsConcrete$303.75$6.75 / bag · Planning allowance · medium confidenceBuildGauge planning baseline · US regional fallback · checked 2026-08-28
236 PicketsFence & structure$826.00$3.50 / picket · Planning allowance · low confidenceBuildGauge planning baseline · US regional fallback · checked 2026-08-28
14 PostsFence & structure$266.00$19.00 / post · Planning allowance · low confidenceBuildGauge planning baseline · US regional fallback · checked 2026-08-28
39 RailsFence & structure$429.00$11.00 / rail · Planning allowance · low confidenceBuildGauge planning baseline · US regional fallback · checked 2026-08-28
6.05 Drainage gravel for post holesFence foundation · cubic ft · 6-in gravel layer across 12-in diameter post holes with 10% extra; adjust to the post-setting detail and soil conditions you use.Price unavailableIncluded in BOM but excluded from priced material total until a pricing baseline is mapped.
1730 FastenersHardware$121.10$0.07 / fastener · Planning allowance · low confidenceBuildGauge planning baseline · US regional fallback · checked 2026-08-28

Typical tool checklist

Tape measureLayout
Mason lineLayout
Post-hole digger or augerPost setting
ShovelPost setting
Post levelPost setting
Concrete mixing tub or mixerPost setting
Circular or miter sawCutting
Drill / impact driverFastening
Safety glassesPPE
Work glovesPPE

Confirm the exact installation method, manufacturer instructions and safety requirements.

Completeness check: Core wood fence quantities are covered. Drainage gravel is calculated from post-hole diameter and the selected gravel depth, and concrete fill uses the remaining hole depth. Taller wood fences commonly use a third rail. Gates require hinges/latch/frame hardware, and caps plus stain/sealer are design/finish choices.
Pricing alignment: priced BOM subtotal $1,945.85. This is the exact material subtotal used by Project Cost. 5 of 6 BOM lines have a mapped price; unpriced lines are disclosed rather than silently estimated. Planning allowances are modeled baselines and are not live retailer quotes. With a 5-digit ZIP and configured Unwrangle credentials, supported lines are replaced by ZIP-local retailer prices and labeled Verified current price.
ESTIMATED PROJECT COST

$1,329$3,107

Likely planning range · 49% estimate confidence

Open full budget in MyBuild →
Materials$1,946
Labor$0
Planning total$2,218

Verified/local pricing included. Materials equals the priced BOM subtotal. 1 BOM line(s) are currently unpriced and excluded from the dollar total. ZIP currently applies a broad regional planning adjustment unless a supported live retailer price is available.

Cost assumptions & priced materials
45 × $780-lb concrete bags · Planning allowance$304
236 × $4Pickets · Planning allowance$826
14 × $19Posts · Planning allowance$266
39 × $11Rails · Planning allowance$429
1730 × $0Fasteners · Planning allowance$121

Planning estimate only for lines labeled Planning allowance. Lines labeled Verified current price come from the configured live retailer provider and ZIP lookup. Actual availability, tax, delivery, site conditions and labor may differ.

Customize project details

Changes here update the live plan and material quantities above.

See detailed calculations

Use these quantities when you need to verify the takeoff or compare concrete bag sizes.

Fence run excluding gates100.0 ft
Fence bays13
Average bay spacing7.69 ft
Line / end posts14
Gate posts0
Corner posts0
Total posts14
Gate openings0
Rails39
Pickets to buy236
Drainage gravel6.05 ft³
Concrete fill depth above gravel30 in
Concrete after post displacement27.0 ft³
80-lb concrete bags45 bags
60-lb concrete bags60 bags
40-lb concrete bags90 bags
Approx. fasteners1730
Need more detail?

Check the method or common questions

Method, formula & assumptions

Fence material planning

Formula: Fence calculations divide each fence run into bays based on your chosen maximum spacing. Multi-side layouts calculate bays per side so direction changes land on posts. Picket calculations use the combined picket width and gap, and gate openings are deducted from the planned fence run.

Worked example: Example: a 64 ft straight run with an 8 ft maximum spacing creates 8 bays and normally 9 posts before gate adjustments. Multi-side layouts repeat the bay calculation separately for each side.

Before you buy: Corners, gates, grade changes and local structural requirements can affect material quantities. Enter each side in the project plan for multi-run layouts, then verify field dimensions, gate locations and local requirements before ordering.

Fence Calculator FAQ

Why can actual post spacing be less than my maximum?

Each run is divided into equal bays so no bay exceeds the maximum spacing you entered.

Does the Fence Calculator include gates?

Yes. Enter the number and width of gate openings under Customize project details. BuildGauge deducts the openings from the planned fence run and includes the gate posts in the takeoff; verify the actual gate framing and hardware before building.

Keep planning

Continue your Fence project

Use the Fence planning hub for related calculators and quick-reference guides.

Open Fence Planning Hub →

Project shopping

Useful products for this project

Photos are representative examples of the item type—not the exact Amazon listing. Amazon links open current search results so you can compare brands, sizes and prices.

Independent recommendationsBuildGauge does not rank products by commission, and calculator results do not change based on affiliate relationships.As an Amazon Associate, BuildGauge earns from qualifying purchases. Verify product dimensions, compatibility, coverage and manufacturer instructions before purchasing.