Estimate the posts, sections, rails and pickets needed for a fence run.
How fence is worked out
Enter your fence’s total length and post spacing and this calculator estimates the number of posts, sections, rails and pickets.
It’s a materials estimate for planning; check your layout and local rules before buying.
A worked example
Take the starting scenario, a total length of 150. That gives a posts needed of 20. Underneath, Sections comes out at 19 and Rails at 57. Change any field and every figure updates as you type.
How to fill it in
- Enter the total fence length.
- Enter the post spacing and rails per section.
- Read the posts, sections and pickets.
The maths behind it
sections = length ÷ post spacing · posts = sections + 1
rails = sections × rails per section
Questions people ask about this
How far apart should fence posts be?
Commonly 6 to 8 feet. Closer spacing is sturdier; wider spacing uses fewer posts.
How many rails per section?
Two for shorter fences, three for taller ones for extra stability.
How many pickets do I need?
It depends on picket width and spacing. The estimate assumes roughly 6-inch coverage per picket.