Easy Wood Calc

Fence picket calculator

Each picket covers its width plus one gap. Enter the fence length, picket width, gap and post spacing to count pickets, posts and rails for a straight run.

Enter your measurements

ft
in
A 1×6 picket is about 5½ in
in
0 for a tight privacy fence
ft
2 for short fences, 3 for 6 ft
in
About 3× the post width is typical
in
Check your frost depth and local rules
in
4×4 = 3½ in
More options: Extra pickets
%
Pickets220 pickets
Posts (straight run)
14 posts
Sections
13 sections
Rails
39 rails
Pickets per section
16.7 pickets
Concrete bags for the posts
22 bags · 80 lb (≈ 0.60 cu ft)
Concrete volume
12.89 cu ft (0.48 cu yd)
How we got this

1,200 in ÷ (5-1/2 in + 1/4 in) = 208.7 → 209 pickets + 5% = 220 pickets

100 ft ÷ 8 ft = 13 sections → 14 posts, 39 rails

Per hole: π × (10 in ÷ 2)² × 24 in − post = 0.92 cu ft × 14 posts ÷ bag yield = 22 bags

  • Add a post for each corner and each side of every gate. Gates also need their own pickets, frame and hardware.
  • Many builders put 4–6 in (10–15 cm) of gravel in the bottom of each hole for drainage — reduce the concrete depth to match. Bag yields vary by product; check the bag.
Check your codeCode limits vary by jurisdiction — confirm with your building department before you cut or build. Fence height and setback rules are set locally.

For this job · affiliate link
Post hole diggerEven if you rent a power auger for 14 holes, a clamshell digger is what cleans out loose soil and squares up the bottoms for the gravel.
View on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Last reviewed

Quick answers for common sizes

Worked examples for the Fence Picket Calculator
ExampleAnswer
How many pickets for a 100 ft privacy fence230 pickets

Pickets by gap (same fence)

Pickets by gap (same fence)
Gap between picketsPicketsPickets per section
0 in230 pickets17.5 pickets
0.25 in220 pickets16.7 pickets
0.5 in210 pickets16 pickets
1 in195 pickets14.8 pickets
2 in168 pickets12.8 pickets
3.5 in141 pickets10.7 pickets

Setting posts in concrete? The calculator also tells you how many bags to haul home. New to this? Words explained.

How pickets are counted

Divide the fence length by the space one picket takes up — its width plus one gap — and round up. Posts are one more than the number of sections, and each section needs two or three rails.

pickets = fence length ÷ (picket width + gap), rounded up
sections = fence length ÷ post spacing, rounded up
posts = sections + 1  ·  rails = sections × rails per section

Example: 100 ft of fence with 5½ in pickets and ¼ in gaps: 1,200 in ÷ 5.75 in = 208.7, so 209 pickets, or about 220 with 5% extra. At 8 ft post spacing that is 13 sections, 14 posts and 39 rails.

Privacy fences and shrinkage

Wood pickets — especially pressure-treated pine sold wet — shrink across their width as they dry. Pickets installed tight can open gaps of ⅛ in or more. For full privacy, many builders use a shadowbox or board-on-board style, where pickets on alternate sides overlap. That uses noticeably more pickets. To estimate it, run the calculator once per layer with the gap set to the space between pickets on that layer — for example, 5½ in pickets with a 3½ in gap on each side, so the back layer overlaps the front by 1 in at each edge.

Post and rail notes

  • Standard post spacing is 6–8 ft. Rails are commonly 2×4s, so 8 ft sections use one 8 ft rail per row.
  • Set posts at least a third of their above-ground height into the ground, or deeper if frost or local rules require — check your area’s frost depth.
  • Check local rules on fence height, setbacks and which side faces out before you build, and call to have utilities marked before digging.
  • Fence sections come in whole pickets only if you plan them: at 8 ft post spacing, 5½ in pickets butted tight give 17½ per section, so either rip one picket per bay or let the pattern run continuously past the posts.
CalculatorWood Stain & Finish Calculator →Sealing the fence? Estimate stain for both sides.

What you’ll need

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links to products are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra and help keep these calculators free.

Frequently asked questions

How many pickets do I need for 100 ft of fence?

With 5½ in pickets and ¼ in gaps, 209 pickets — about 220 with 5% extra. Butted tight it is 219 before extras; see How many pickets for a 100 ft privacy fence.

How many pickets are in an 8 ft fence section?

About 17½ with 5½ in pickets and no gap, or about 16.7 with ¼ in gaps — so 17 or 18 depending on how you trim the ends.

How many bags of concrete per fence post?

A 10 in hole 24 in deep around a 4×4 takes about 0.9 cu ft of concrete — roughly one and a half 80 lb bags, so plan on 2 bags per post, or share bags between holes as you go. Deeper frost-line holes need more.

How far apart should fence posts be?

Six to eight feet is standard for wood fences. Closer spacing makes a stiffer fence and is common in windy areas or with heavy boards.

Related calculators