Turn a fence run into a practical material takeoff. Estimate posts, pickets, rails, concrete and fasteners before making your material list.
See the full fence planning inputs together: total fence length, width per gate, number of gates, corners or direction changes, maximum post spacing, rails per bay, picket width and gap, actual post width, post-hole depth and diameter, drainage gravel depth, concrete extra / waste, and picket / fastener extra.
Enter the total fence run. The material list and layout update instantly.
Choose the shape, then enter each dimension. The plan updates immediately as you edit.
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.
Key purchase quantities from the same complete BOM used below.
The preview and copied list come from the shared BOM. Planning estimate — verify product sizes, structural requirements and local conditions before purchasing.
Your project quantities with practical planning prices.
Estimated specialty rentals: $140.00
Estimated consumables / PPE: $27.00
Incremental project spend: $167.00
Common tools if starting from scratch: $360.00
Buy every tool / supply from scratch: $957.00
Tool prices are planning estimates. Confirm current prices, the exact installation method, manufacturer instructions and safety requirements before purchasing or renting.
Likely project range · 49% estimate confidence
Materials use PlanDIYBuild U.S. planning estimates. Retailer prices vary by product, store and location. Tools / rentals are planning estimates.
Tool amounts are broad planning allowances, not current retailer or rental quotes. The incremental project-spend allowance assumes common tools are already owned and adds specialty rentals plus consumables / PPE. Reusable tools and rentals are shared across a combined saved-project budget when the same tool appears more than once; consumables / PPE remain budgeted per project. Buy-all totals use purchase allowances for every tool rather than rental allowances. Actual availability, tax, delivery, site conditions and labor may differ.
Your calculator choices and quantities stay with you through a practical homeowner build roadmap.
Time1–3 days + concrete cure
Local / site checkProperty lines, setbacks, utility locations, post depth / diameter, frost and soil conditions, wind loads, gate requirements and required permits need local verification. For wood posts in ground contact, use lumber treated / rated for that exposure and follow the treatment manufacturer requirements.
SafetyUse task-appropriate eye, hearing, hand, respiratory and lifting protection.
0 of 8 steps complete · Next: Confirm the fence route, property line, gates and finished height. Verify setbacks / permits where applicable, have underground utilities marked, and mark every direction change and gate opening before digging.
Fence route, property line, gates and utility marking confirmed
100 ft planned fence run
✓
Start at corners, ends and gate posts, then divide each run into bays no greater than the selected maximum spacing. Confirm gate opening dimensions before fixing the adjacent post centers.
14 posts
✓All post centers and gate openings marked
Excavate all centered holes to the locally verified diameter and depth before setting posts. Confirm soil / frost requirements where applicable, keep loose soil out of the bottoms, and verify the complete layout before post placement.
14 posts
✓All hole depths, locations and bearing conditions verified
Use posts suitable for the intended exposure; buried wood posts should be treated / rated for ground contact. Set, plumb and brace corner, end and gate posts first, then align the line posts. Use the approved post-setting / concrete detail for the site and allow required concrete cure before loading the posts.
14 posts
✓Posts plumb, aligned, braced and cured before loading
Mark consistent rail elevations and fasten rails between cured posts with exterior-rated, material-compatible connections. For pressure-treated wood, field-treat cut ends and drilled holes as required by the treatment standard / manufacturer before they are concealed or exposed to weather.
39 rails
✓Rails level, connections complete and treated-wood field cuts protected where required
Establish a straight top or bottom reference and install pickets or panels using the calculated gap and the selected system’s approved exterior fastener pattern. Maintain required ground clearance and field-treat pressure-treated cuts where required.
236 pickets
✓Spacing, clearances and fasteners complete
Build or install gates square with adequate structural bracing; site-built wood gates typically need a diagonal / anti-sag strategy appropriate to the gate design. Provide required ground and post clearance, then adjust hinges, stops and latches for free movement and reliable closure.
100 ft planned fence run
✓Gates remain square, swing freely and latch correctly
Inspect fasteners, post tops, rails, pickets / panels, gate hardware and exposed cuts. Apply compatible finish or preservative treatment where required by the selected material, then confirm the fence is stable and gates operate safely.
236 pickets
✓Fence complete, stable and safe
Project roadmap only. Calculated quantities come from your PlanDIYBuild takeoff; site, structural, code and product-specific requirements must be verified before construction.
Changes here update the live plan and material quantities above.
Use these quantities when you need to verify the takeoff or compare concrete bag sizes.
Manufacturer and industry estimating values are separated from PlanDIYBuild planning allowances.
Check the worked examples or continue with the next part of your material plan.
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.
Each run is divided into equal bays so no bay exceeds the maximum spacing you entered.
Yes. Enter the number and width of gate openings under Customize project details. PlanDIYBuild 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.
Use the Fence planning hub for related calculators and quick-reference guides.
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