Calculate the precise quantity of posts, rails, and pickets for your wood or vinyl fence project.
Fence Layout
ft
ft
in
in
Materials Summary
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Enter your fence layout details to generate a structural material checklist.
About this calculator
Overview
A materials list is vital for budgeting and ordering. This calculator provides the raw counts for the main components of a wood fence. It assumes a standard design where each section is supported by two posts and multiple horizontal rails.
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Pro Tips
Add one extra post for every gate or major corner (90° turn) in your fence layout.
Use 10-foot posts for a 6-foot fence to allow 3-4 feet of depth in the ground below the frost line.
Consider using screw-shank or ring-shank nails to prevent pickets from pulling away as the wood dries.
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Fun Facts
"Most retailers sell pickets in 4, 6, and 8-foot (1.2m, 1.8m, 2.4m) heights."
"The horizontal rails are usually 2x4 lumber, providing the lateral strength of the fence line."
"Standard residential post depth should be at least 1/3 the height of the post for structural stability."
