Fence pickets needed by fence length
| Fence length | 5.5 in picket + 1/8 in gap | 5.5 in picket + 1/4 in gap | 3.5 in picket + 1/8 in gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 ft | 60 pickets | 59 pickets | 92 pickets |
| 50 ft | 118 pickets | 116 pickets | 183 pickets |
| 75 ft | 176 pickets | 173 pickets | 274 pickets |
| 100 ft | 236 pickets | 230 pickets | 366 pickets |
| 125 ft | 294 pickets | 288 pickets | 456 pickets |
| 150 ft | 352 pickets | 346 pickets | 547 pickets |
| 200 ft | 470 pickets | 460 pickets | 730 pickets |
| 250 ft | 588 pickets | 575 pickets | 911 pickets |
| 300 ft | 704 pickets | 690 pickets | 1,094 pickets |
Table includes 10% extra and assumes the listed dimensions are actual installed picket width and clear gap. Remove gate or other openings that are not receiving the same picket layout.
Fence picket formula
Base pickets = fence length in inches ÷ (actual picket width + gap), rounded up. Multiply by 1 plus your extra-material percentage and round up again.
Example: 100-foot fence with 5.5-inch pickets
With a 1/8-inch gap, each picket occupies 5.625 inches. A 100-foot run is 1,200 inches, requiring about 214 pickets before extra material. Adding 10% and rounding up gives 236 pickets to buy.
Pickets for a 6-foot or 8-foot section
These examples use the clear width receiving pickets, 5.5-inch actual-width boards, a 1/8-inch gap and 10% extra. A post-center-to-post-center bay dimension may differ from the picketed width; measure the part you will cover.
| Picketed section width | Base pickets | With 10% extra |
|---|---|---|
| 6 ft | 13 | 15 |
| 8 ft | 18 | 20 |
For separate sections, round each section’s base count up before summing. A continuous-run estimate can differ because each section has its own end cuts. Gate infill should be planned separately when it is excluded from the fence run.
Why actual picket width and gaps matter
Nominal lumber names and actual dimensions can differ. Measure the face width or use the manufacturer’s listed actual dimension. Even a small width or gap change repeated across a long run can materially change the count.
Connect pickets to posts and concrete
Use the Fence Post Spacing Chart to establish bays and posts and the Concrete Bags per Fence Post Guide for footing material. The PlanDIYBuild Fence Calculator combines pickets, posts, rails, gates, concrete and fasteners.
Frequently asked questions
How many fence pickets do I need for 100 feet?
With 5.5-inch actual-width pickets, a 1/8-inch gap and 10% extra, a 100-foot picketed run requires about 236 pickets. Subtract gate openings before calculating if they are not covered by the same picket layout.
How do I calculate fence pickets?
Convert the picketed fence run to inches, divide by actual picket width plus the clear gap, round up, then add your waste or extra-material allowance and round up again.
Do I subtract gates when calculating pickets?
Yes when the gate opening is not part of the continuous picketed run. Subtract those openings before calculating the fence infill, or use the complete fence calculator to model gates separately.