How many pickets do I need for a fence?

Convert the fence length to inches and divide by the picket width plus the gap between pickets, then round up and add about 10% for split or crooked boards. A 100 ft fence of 5.5 in (1 × 6) pickets butted together is 1,200 ÷ 5.5 = 218.2, so 219 pickets, or 240 with 10% extra. The picket gap table on this page lists other gaps and 1 × 4 pickets.

How many fence posts do I need?

Take the gate openings off the fence length, divide by the post spacing and round up to get the sections; posts are the sections plus one, plus one more per gate. A 100 ft fence with one 4 ft gate has 96 ft of fence: 12 sections of 8 ft, so 14 posts. Each corner that does not land on a post splits a section and adds one more post; lay out the line so corners fall on posts where you can.

How far apart should fence posts be?

Most wood privacy fences put posts 8 ft on center, which suits 8 ft rails and pickets sold for 8 ft panels. Spacing them 6 ft apart makes a stiffer fence in high wind or soft soil, and suits heavier or taller fences, at the cost of more posts and concrete. Check any spacing your local code or HOA sets.

How many rails does a fence need?

Two rails (top and bottom) are common for fences up to about 4 ft. Taller privacy fences of 5 to 6 ft usually get three, the middle one keeping the pickets from bowing. Rails run between posts, so each section takes its own set: a 12-section fence with 3 rails needs 36.

How much concrete do I need per fence post?

A round hole 10 in across and 24 in deep holds 1.09 cu ft; a 4 × 4 post takes up 0.17 cu ft of it, leaving about 0.92 cu ft of concrete. That is 2.5 bags of 50 lb fast-setting mix (0.375 cu ft each) or 1.5 bags of 80 lb concrete mix (0.6 cu ft) per post. The calculator adds up all the posts before rounding, so the job total is lower than rounding each post up. Quikrete’s rule of thumb is a hole about three times the post width and 1/3 to 1/2 of the post’s height above ground deep; frost lines and local codes can call for deeper holes.

What gap should I leave between fence pickets?

A privacy fence butts the pickets together (0 in); wet or pressure-treated boards shrink as they dry and open small gaps on their own. A spaced picket fence commonly leaves about 2 to 3 in. Pool fences and barriers usually have strict limits on openings, so check your local code before choosing a gap. The picket gap table shows how the count changes.

Does the picket count include the gates?

Yes. The pickets cover the whole fence length, gates included, because most wood gates are built from the same pickets on a frame. If you are buying ready-made gates, subtract the gate widths from the fence length for the picket count. Posts and rails leave the gate openings out either way.

How long should fence posts be?

At least the fence height plus the depth set in concrete. For a 6 ft fence with 24 in of concrete, that is 8 ft posts; the calculator shows the length under the post count. Posts are sold in 8, 10 and 12 ft lengths, so round up to the next length you can buy.

Fence Calculator: How Many Pickets and Posts Do I Need?

A 100 ft wood privacy fence, 6 ft tall, with one 4 ft gate and posts 8 ft apart needs 240 pickets (5.5 in wide, butted, with 10% extra), 14 posts, 36 rails (3 per section) and about 35 bags of 50 lb fast-setting concrete for 10 in holes 24 in deep. Pickets = fence length in inches ÷ (picket width + gap); posts = sections + 1, plus one per gate.

Figures based on the sources listed belowUpdated 2026-09-29How we calculate

Fence length

Fence height

Extra pickets

Standard: culls and split boards (10%)Exact (0%)Custom

Post spacingMost wood fences use 8 ft; 6 ft makes a stiffer fence in wind or soft ground and takes more posts.

Rails per sectionHorizontal 2 × 4 rails between posts that the pickets are nailed to.

Picket width (in)

Actual width: a nominal 1 × 6 picket is 5.5 in, a 1 × 4 is 3.5 in.

Gap between pickets (in)

Use 0 for a privacy fence of butted boards. A spaced picket fence often uses 2–3 in.

Gates

Each gate opening needs its own post on both sides.

Gate opening width (in)

Post to post. A walk gate is often 36–48 in; a drive gate is much wider.

Corners between posts

Corners that fall mid-section each add a post and a section. Leave 0 if you space the posts so every corner lands on one.

Post hole diameter (in)

About 3 times the post width: 10–12 in for a 4 × 4 post.

Concrete depth per hole (in)

About 1/3 to 1/2 of the fence height, and below the frost line where your code requires.

Concrete bagFast-setting mix is poured dry into the hole and watered; regular mix is mixed first.

Price per picket (optional)

Buy 240 pickets

100 linear ft + 10% waste = 110.00 linear ft

Posts (4 × 4): 14 posts (each at least 8 ft)
Rails (2 × 4): 36 rails (each 8 ft)
Concrete for posts (50 lb fast-setting bags): 35 bags (≈ 12.9 cu ft)
Fence sections: 12 sections

Low

$480.00

Expected

$840.00

High

$1,440.00

Includes 10.00 linear ft waste

How this number is calculated

100 linear ft + 10% waste = 110.00 linear ft ÷ 0.458 linear ft per picket = 240 pickets

Shopping list

Fast-setting concrete mix (50 lb)
Post hole digger
Post level
Mason line and line level
Exterior deck screws or ring-shank fence nails
Gate hardware kit (hinges and latch)

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Picket gap table: pickets per section and per 100 ft

Pickets = length in inches ÷ (picket width + gap), rounded up, worked by this calculator. Per 8 ft section with no extra; per 100 ft with 10% extra for culls. Actual widths: 1 × 6 = 5.5 in, 1 × 4 = 3.5 in.
Gap	1 × 6 pickets per 8 ft section	1 × 6 pickets per 100 ft	1 × 4 pickets per 8 ft section	1 × 4 pickets per 100 ft
0 (butted)	18	240	28	378
1/4 in	17	230	26	352
1/2 in	16	220	24	330
1 in	15	204	22	294
1 1/2 in	14	189	20	264
2 in	13	176	18	240
2 1/2 in	12	165	16	220
3 in	12	156	15	204

Posts, rails and concrete by fence length

One 4 ft gate, no corners between posts, 3 rails per section, 4 × 4 posts in 10 × 24 in holes with 50 lb bags of fast-setting mix, worked by this calculator. Add a post and a section for each corner that falls between posts.
Fence length	Posts, 8 ft spacing	Rails, 8 ft spacing	50 lb bags, 8 ft spacing	Posts, 6 ft spacing	Rails, 6 ft spacing	50 lb bags, 6 ft spacing
50 ft	8	18	20	10	24	25
75 ft	11	27	28	14	36	35
100 ft	14	36	35	18	48	45
150 ft	21	57	52	27	75	67
200 ft	27	75	67	35	99	86

Methodology & assumptions

The fence is treated as one line: its length includes the gate openings, and its height sets the post length. Pickets = fence length × (1 + extra) × 12 ÷ (picket width + gap), rounded up, over the whole line, since most wood gates are built from the same pickets (subtract the gate widths if you buy gates ready-made). Sections = (length − gate openings) ÷ post spacing, rounded up, plus one for each corner that falls between posts. Posts = sections + 1, plus one per gate, because a gate opening needs a post on each side. Rails = sections × rails per section. Concrete per post is the round hole (π × radius² × depth, the same formula as the round footings on the concrete calculators) less the 3.5 × 3.5 in of a 4 × 4 post, times the posts, divided by the bag yield (0.375 cu ft for a 50 lb bag of fast-setting mix, 0.6 cu ft for 80 lb of concrete mix) and rounded up once for the job. The default hole, 10 in across and 24 in deep, follows Quikrete’s rule of thumb of about three times the post width and 1/3 to 1/2 of the above-ground height; go deeper where your frost line or code requires. Gravel under the post is not counted. The metric toggle shows lengths in m and cm and the concrete in m³.

Quikrete, Setting Posts in Concrete: a hole about 3 times the post width, 1/3 to 1/2 of the post height above ground deep
Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix (No. 1004-50) data sheet: about 0.375 cu ft per 50 lb bag
Quikrete Concrete Mix (No. 1101) data sheet: 80 lb ≈ 0.60 cu ft, 60 lb ≈ 0.45 cu ft, 40 lb ≈ 0.30 cu ft
Nominal and actual lumber sizes (American Softwood Lumber Standard, PS 20): a 1 × 6 is 5.5 in wide, a 1 × 4 is 3.5 in, a 4 × 4 is 3.5 × 3.5 in
Typical US retail prices for 6 ft wood fence pickets, 2026 (estimate)

How to calculate fence materials

Measure the fence line. Measure the total length of fence, gate openings included, and decide the height.
Count the sections. Take the gate openings off the length, divide by the post spacing (6 or 8 ft) and round up. Add one section for each corner that falls between posts.
Count posts and rails. Posts = sections + 1, plus one per gate. Rails = sections × 2 or 3 rails per section.
Count the pickets. Divide the fence length in inches by the picket width plus the gap, round up and add about 10% for culls.
Work out the concrete. For each post, take the hole volume (π × radius² × depth) less the post, multiply by the number of posts and divide by the bag yield, then round up.

Worked examples

Project	Result
100 ft privacy fence, 6 ft tall, one 4 ft gate, 8 ft spacing, 1 × 6 pickets butted	100 linear ft + 10% extra → 240 pickets, 14 posts, 36 rails, 35 bags of 50 lb fast-setting mix
50 ft picket fence, 4 ft tall, one 3 ft gate, 6 ft spacing, 1 × 4 pickets with 2 1/2 in gaps, 2 rails, 18 in holes	50 linear ft + 10% extra → 110 pickets, 10 posts, 16 rails, 19 bags of 50 lb fast-setting mix
150 ft privacy fence, 6 ft tall, two 4 ft gates, 2 corners between posts, 6 ft spacing, 12 × 30 in holes, 80 lb bags	150 linear ft + 10% extra → 360 pickets, 29 posts, 78 rails, 85 bags of 80 lb concrete mix

Frequently asked questions

How many pickets do I need for a fence?: Convert the fence length to inches and divide by the picket width plus the gap between pickets, then round up and add about 10% for split or crooked boards. A 100 ft fence of 5.5 in (1 × 6) pickets butted together is 1,200 ÷ 5.5 = 218.2, so 219 pickets, or 240 with 10% extra. The picket gap table on this page lists other gaps and 1 × 4 pickets.
How many fence posts do I need?: Take the gate openings off the fence length, divide by the post spacing and round up to get the sections; posts are the sections plus one, plus one more per gate. A 100 ft fence with one 4 ft gate has 96 ft of fence: 12 sections of 8 ft, so 14 posts. Each corner that does not land on a post splits a section and adds one more post; lay out the line so corners fall on posts where you can.
How far apart should fence posts be?: Most wood privacy fences put posts 8 ft on center, which suits 8 ft rails and pickets sold for 8 ft panels. Spacing them 6 ft apart makes a stiffer fence in high wind or soft soil, and suits heavier or taller fences, at the cost of more posts and concrete. Check any spacing your local code or HOA sets.
How many rails does a fence need?: Two rails (top and bottom) are common for fences up to about 4 ft. Taller privacy fences of 5 to 6 ft usually get three, the middle one keeping the pickets from bowing. Rails run between posts, so each section takes its own set: a 12-section fence with 3 rails needs 36.
How much concrete do I need per fence post?: A round hole 10 in across and 24 in deep holds 1.09 cu ft; a 4 × 4 post takes up 0.17 cu ft of it, leaving about 0.92 cu ft of concrete. That is 2.5 bags of 50 lb fast-setting mix (0.375 cu ft each) or 1.5 bags of 80 lb concrete mix (0.6 cu ft) per post. The calculator adds up all the posts before rounding, so the job total is lower than rounding each post up. Quikrete’s rule of thumb is a hole about three times the post width and 1/3 to 1/2 of the post’s height above ground deep; frost lines and local codes can call for deeper holes.
What gap should I leave between fence pickets?: A privacy fence butts the pickets together (0 in); wet or pressure-treated boards shrink as they dry and open small gaps on their own. A spaced picket fence commonly leaves about 2 to 3 in. Pool fences and barriers usually have strict limits on openings, so check your local code before choosing a gap. The picket gap table shows how the count changes.
Does the picket count include the gates?: Yes. The pickets cover the whole fence length, gates included, because most wood gates are built from the same pickets on a frame. If you are buying ready-made gates, subtract the gate widths from the fence length for the picket count. Posts and rails leave the gate openings out either way.
How long should fence posts be?: At least the fence height plus the depth set in concrete. For a 6 ft fence with 24 in of concrete, that is 8 ft posts; the calculator shows the length under the post count. Posts are sold in 8, 10 and 12 ft lengths, so round up to the next length you can buy.

Handy tools

Feet and Inches Calculator: Add up fence runs measured in feet, inches and fractions, and get decimal feet for the fields above.