Posts & rails
14 posts · 36 rails (2×4×8)
EstimateYard · Fence estimate · estimateyard.com
Fence · materials & cost
Wood fence calculator — pickets, posts, rails & cost
A wood fence is posts every 8 ft, two to four rails per section, and 2.18 butted pickets per foot. A 100-ft privacy fence with one gate takes about 210 pickets, 14 posts, and 28 bags of concrete — $1,327–$2,316 in materials at August 2026 prices. Enter your length for the full list.
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Add up all sides; include gate openings
Panels are 8 ft wide — spacing follows the panel
Each counts as 4 ft of the length
Remembered on this device
Your materials list 100 ft · 6 ft privacy · 1 gate
210pickets
12 sections at 8-ft spacing, 96 ft of fence run
Concrete
28 bags 50-lb fast-set (2 per post)
Materials cost (DIY)
$1,327–$2,316
Pro-installed reference
$2,400–$4,800 at $25–$50/ft
Gate hardware kits are included in the cost. Corners and slopes don't change the count much — end posts do: add one post per free-standing end.
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Common fence builds, worked out
| Project | Materials | Materials cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard privacy · 100 ft · 6 ft · 1 gate | 210 pickets · 14 posts · 36 rails | $1,327–$2,316 | Open › |
| Full yard · 150 ft · 6 ft · 1 gate | 319 pickets · 21 posts · 57 rails | $2,006–$3,499 | Open › |
| Large yard · 200 ft · 6 ft · 2 gates | 419 pickets · 27 posts · 72 rails | $2,625–$4,592 | Open › |
| Front picket · 60 ft · 4 ft spaced · 1 gate | 90 pickets · 9 posts · 14 rails | $562–$924 | Open › |
| Panel build · 100 ft · 6 ft panels · no gate | 13 panels · 14 posts | $1,144–$1,697 | Open › |
How this calculator works
Prices updated August 2026Layout: each gate takes 4 ft out of the run; sections = fence run ÷ post spacing (rounded up); posts = sections + 1, plus one per gate opening. Rails: 2 per section at 4 ft, 3 at 6 ft, 4 at 8 ft — one 2×4×8 spans one section at standard spacing. Pickets: run × 12 ÷ 5.5 in butted (2.18/ft), ÷ 7.5 in with a 2-in gap; panel mode uses 8-ft pre-built panels instead. Concrete: two 50-lb fast-setting bags per post (10-in hole, 24-in depth). Buy a few spare pickets — culls happen.
Prices: big-box August 2026 components — pickets $3.5–$7 (6-ft; 4-ft ~30% less, 8-ft ~50% more), 2×4×8 rails $5.5–$9, 4×4×8 posts $13–$20 (8-ft fences need 10-ft posts, ~40% more), panels $60–$95, fast-set bags ~$6.5, gate kits $30–$60. Installed reference: Ergeon 2026 install data ($25–$50/lf). Lumber prices swing regionally — punch in your shelf price above for an exact bill.
Common questions
How much does a wood fence cost in 2026?
Pro-installed wood privacy fence runs $25–$50 per linear foot (about $3,750–$7,500 for a typical 150-ft yard). DIY materials for the same fence are roughly a third of that — this calculator prices your exact length. Full per-material comparison in the fence cost guide.
How many pickets do I need per foot of fence?
Butted privacy pickets (5½ in wide) take 2.18 pickets per foot — about 219 per 100 ft. Spaced picket styles (~2 in gap) take 1.6 per foot. Add ~5–10% for culls and mistakes; big-box stores take back unused bundles.
Should fence posts be 6 or 8 feet apart?
8 ft is standard and matches 8-ft rail lumber with no cutting. Go 6 ft in high-wind areas, for heavy 8-ft-tall fences, or where the ground drops and you need to step the fence — closer posts cost more but rack less.
How many bags of concrete per fence post?
Plan on two 50-lb fast-setting bags per post — that fills a 10-in-diameter hole at 24-in depth around a 4×4. Windy sites, gate posts, and 8-ft fences want deeper holes (a third of post height in the ground) and a third bag.
Do I need a permit to build a fence?
Often yes above 6 ft, and height/setback rules apply almost everywhere — check your city and HOA before buying materials. And always call 811 before digging post holes; the utility-mark-out is free and required.