DIY CalculatorIt works for a wood privacy fence with pickets edge to edge, a spaced picket fence, or pre-built vinyl and wood panels. Add gates and corners and the post count changes with them, and the diagram shows your post spacing and height.
Good to know
- Measure along the line where the posts will go, and mark corners and gates before you count — every gate needs a post on each side.
- 8 ft between posts is standard for a wood privacy fence; 6 ft makes a stiffer fence for windy sites or tall, heavy boards.
- A 6 ft fence uses 3 rails per section; go to 4 rails above 6 ft so long pickets don’t warp.
- Buy about 5% extra pickets for split boards and trimming at the ends.
- Call 811 before you dig post holes so buried lines get marked.
6 ft wood privacy fence, straight run, no gates (1×6 pickets, 10 × 24 in holes)
| Fence length | Posts (8 ft apart) | Posts (6 ft apart) | Rails (8 ft) | Pickets | 80 lb concrete bags (8 ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | 8 | 10 | 21 | 110 | 16 |
| 100 ft | 14 | 18 | 39 | 219 | 28 |
| 150 ft | 20 | 26 | 57 | 328 | 40 |
| 200 ft | 26 | 35 | 75 | 437 | 52 |
| 300 ft | 39 | 51 | 114 | 655 | 78 |
Add one post per gate and about 5% extra pickets. Corners are shared, so an L-shaped fence needs one fewer post than two separate runs.
How to use this calculator
- Measure the total length along the post line and choose the layout: straight, L-shape or three sides.
- Pick the style and height, and set the post spacing (or panel width for vinyl panels).
- Add your gates. Open “Rails and post holes” to change the hole size or rails per section.
- Optionally enter a price per foot of fence to estimate the cost.
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Run a landscaping supply, garden center or DIY blog? Paste this code into your page to let visitors use the fence calculator right there. It is free, has no ads, and resizes itself to fit.
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Frequently asked questions
How many pickets do I need for a 150 ft privacy fence?
With 1×6 pickets (5.5 in wide) set edge to edge and one 4 ft gate, you need 319 pickets for the remaining 146 ft — 335 with 5% extra for waste.
How many posts do I need for a 150-foot fence?
With posts every 8 ft in a straight line you need 20 posts: 19 sections plus one extra post to close the run. Each gate adds one more post, so one gate makes it 21.
How many rails does a 6 ft privacy fence need?
Three per section — top, middle and bottom. A 150 ft fence with posts 8 ft apart has 19 sections, so 57 rails.
How much concrete does each fence post need?
A 10 in wide, 24 in deep hole around a 4×4 post takes about 0.92 cubic feet of concrete: two 80 lb bags, or three 50 lb bags of fast-setting mix.
Does this work for vinyl fences?
Yes — choose “Panels” and enter the panel width (usually 6 or 8 ft). The calculator then counts panels and posts instead of rails and pickets.