Fence Calculator

Work out how many posts, rails, pickets and bags of concrete a fence run needs.

Fence calculator

Fence length

Post spacing (ft)

Rails per bay

Picket width (in)

Posts: —

Rails: — totalling —

Pickets: —

Concrete: — at two 50 lb bags per post

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Posts come from the run length divided by the spacing, and pickets from the picket pitch.

Common questions about the free online fence calculator.

Divide the fence length by the post spacing and round up to get the number of bays, then add one. The formula is posts = bays + 1.

Most fences use 8 foot (2.4 m) post spacing, though 6 feet gives a stronger fence and 10 feet is common for light wire fencing.

Two rails suit fences up to 4 feet high, and three rails are standard for 6 foot privacy fencing or anywhere with wind loading.

Divide the total fence length in inches by the picket width plus the gap, then round up. That is pickets = length / pitch.

Plan on two 50 pound bags of fast setting concrete for a 3 foot deep hole, or about one and a half bags for a shallower hole.

Yes. A gate needs its own posts and frame, so add two posts and a gate kit rather than counting on the standard bay spacing.

Set posts about one third of their above ground height into the ground, so a 6 foot fence needs a hole around 2 to 3 feet deep.

Closer spacing needs more posts, concrete and labour, so moving from 8 to 6 foot spacing adds roughly a third to the frame cost.

Yes. Enter metres for the fence length and the tool converts to feet internally, while picket width is still entered in inches.

Last updated: October 10, 2026