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Calculate fence materials including posts, rails, pickets, concrete, and gates. Get a complete cost estimate for any fence type.
Total perimeter minus areas with no fence
A new fence provides privacy, security, and curb appeal while defining your property boundary. Whether you are building a backyard privacy fence, a front yard picket fence, or a utilitarian chain link barrier, accurate material estimation is key to staying on budget and avoiding multiple trips to the hardware store.
Walk your planned fence route and measure total linear footage. You can use a measuring wheel, long tape measure, or even pace it off (average adult stride is about 2.5 feet). Subtract any areas where existing structures (house, garage, shed) serve as the boundary. Mark gate locations and decide on gate widths before finalizing the total fence length.
Posts are the structural backbone of your fence. Standard 4x4 posts set 8 feet apart work for most residential fences. Use 6x6 posts for gate posts and corner posts where extra strength is needed. Each post should sit in a hole 3 times the post width (12 inches for a 4x4) and deep enough that 1/3 of the total post is below ground. Fill with quick-setting concrete and let cure 24-48 hours before attaching rails.
Pressure-treated pine is the most popular and affordable option, lasting 15-20 years with proper staining. Cedar naturally resists rot without chemicals and weathers to an attractive silver-gray (20-25 year lifespan). Vinyl is essentially maintenance-free and lasts 30+ years but costs more upfront. Chain link is the most affordable and durable but offers limited privacy (slats can be added). Aluminum ornamental fencing provides an elegant look but no privacy.
A standard wood privacy fence uses 4x4 posts, 2x4 rails (three per section for 6-foot fences), and 1x6 or 5/4x6 pickets. Set posts first, level and plumb. Attach horizontal rails at top, bottom, and middle. Then nail or screw pickets to the rails starting from one end. Use galvanized or stainless steel fasteners to prevent rust staining.
Apply stain or sealant to wood fences within the first year, then every 2-3 years. Repair damaged pickets promptly to prevent further damage. Keep soil and mulch away from the base of posts. Clean vinyl fences annually with a garden hose and mild soap. Tighten chain link tension bands as needed. A well-maintained fence can last decades longer than a neglected one.
Pro includes printable shopping lists with posts, rails, pickets, concrete, and hardware quantities.
Materials only: wood privacy fence costs $12-18/ft, wood picket $8-14/ft, chain link $6-12/ft, vinyl privacy $20-30/ft, and aluminum ornamental $22-35/ft. Installed (materials + labor), expect to roughly double these numbers. A 150-foot wood privacy fence typically costs $2,000-$3,500 DIY or $4,000-$7,000 installed.
Standard spacing for most fence types is 8 feet on center. Chain link fences can have 10-foot post spacing with a top rail. In areas with high winds, reducing spacing to 6 feet provides more stability. Corner and gate posts should always be set deeper (minimum 1/3 of total post length underground).
The rule of thumb is 1/3 of the total post length below ground plus 6 inches for a gravel base. For a 6-foot fence with 8-foot posts, dig 30-inch holes. In cold climates, dig below the frost line (check local code). Each post hole typically needs 2 bags of 80lb quick-setting concrete.
Most areas require a permit for fences over 6 feet tall, and many require permits for any fence. Check with your local building department. You also need to verify your property lines (get a survey if unsure) and may need HOA approval. Call 811 before digging to mark underground utilities.
For a privacy fence with standard 5.5-inch-wide dog-ear pickets placed edge to edge, you need about 2.2 pickets per linear foot. For a picket fence with 3.5-inch pickets and 2-inch gaps, you need about 1.8 pickets per foot. Shadow box fences (boards on alternating sides) need roughly double the pickets.
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