Fence Calculator
The all-in-one fence estimator. Use Quick Estimate for a fast budget from one fence length, or Detailed Estimate to model your real project — multiple fence runs, corners, gate locations and post hole sizes — and get every post, panel, rail, picket and bag of concrete plus material cost and installed cost.
Estimate
| Materials | Quantity | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
Terminal posts (end/corner/transition)Why this quantity?2 node slots across 1 run(s) | 2 | $44Edit basis2 × $22 per ea — switch on My Pricing to override. |
Line postsWhy this quantity?Σ spans (25) + 1 per run − 0 shared − 2 terminal | 24 | $528Edit basis24 × $22 per ea — switch on My Pricing to override. |
Gate posts (hinge + latch)Why this quantity?1 gate(s) × 2 posts | 2 | $44Edit basis2 × $22 per ea — switch on My Pricing to override. |
Panels / sectionsWhy this quantity?Σ ceil(effective run length ÷ post spacing) | 25 | $1,450Edit basis25 × $58 per ea — switch on My Pricing to override. |
RailsWhy this quantity?Σ spans × rails-per-section × (1 + waste), rounded up | 83 | $1,245Edit basis83 × $15 per ea — switch on My Pricing to override. |
PicketsWhy this quantity?Σ effective length × 12 ÷ (picket width + gap) × (1 + waste) | 450 | $1,890Edit basis450 × $4 per ea — switch on My Pricing to override. |
Concrete bags (50 lb)Why this quantity?ceil(hole volume − post displacement) ÷ yield × 28 posts (hole Ø10 in × 28 in deep) | 84 | $546Edit basis84 × $7 per bag — switch on My Pricing to override. |
Hardware kits / fastenersWhy this quantity?Sections + terminal/line post fittings + gate hardware | 26 | $390Edit basis26 × $15 per kit — switch on My Pricing to override. |
Gate leavesWhy this quantity?1 gate(s): hinge post + latch post each | 1 | $190Edit basis1 × $190 per leaf |
Estimated materials: $6,327
Estimated installed cost: $9,191
- Post depth 28 in (Quick rule: 1/3 above-ground height, 2 ft min). Concrete and post-depth figures are planning estimates only — verify local code, frost depth, soil conditions and manufacturer requirements before you dig.
- Board-built privacy: pickets are butted tight with a small shadow gap.
- Post-and-rail/board-on-board variants change picket coverage — adjust gap accordingly.
Estimates only — not a quote. Actual price depends on terrain, local labor rates and current material prices in your area. Default prices are public-market averages; switch on “My Pricing” to use your own numbers. Concrete and post-depth figures are planning estimates only — verify local code, frost depth, soil conditions and manufacturer requirements before you dig.
How this fence calculator works
In Detailed mode the calculator treats your project the way a real fence is built: you add one or more fence runs, each with its own length, height and style. Runs connect at corners, ends and transitions, and gates are placed on a specific run at a distance from its start. Gate openings are subtracted from the run length before anything is counted.
The math, step by step
- Posts: each run is divided by post spacing into spans; shared corners between runs are counted once. Terminal posts (end/corner/transition/house connection) are listed separately from line posts, and every gate adds a hinge post + latch post.
- Panels & rails: pre-assembled systems (vinyl, aluminum) are measured in panel widths; board-built wood is measured by post spacing, with rails per span (3 for privacy, 2 for open styles) and a waste factor.
- Pickets: computed from actual picket width + gap spacing, only for systems that use pickets. Chain link and aluminum never output pickets.
- Concrete: calculated from hole volume minus post displacement, divided by the bag yield for your bag size — not a flat “bags per post” guess.
Typical inputs
- Post spacing: 6–8 ft for wood and vinyl, 8–10 ft for chain link.
- Panel width: 6 ft or 8 ft for most wood, vinyl and aluminum panels.
- Hole diameter: ~10 in for 4×4 wood posts; depth per the quick rule (1/3 of above-ground height, 2 ft minimum) or your local frost line.
- Waste factor: 10% covers cutting mistakes and damaged boards.