Privacy Fence Calculator
A 6 ft privacy fence with 3 rails per section. Enter your length.
Indicative estimate · not a survey or a design · see methodology
Fencing the whole property? Draw the lot and the perimeter, gates and corners come out of the plan.
Draw the property lineMaterials per 100 ft of fence (8 ft post spacing)
| Fence type | Posts | Rails | Pickets / panels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Picket, 4 ft | 14 | 26 | ~210 pickets (5.5 in) |
| Privacy, 6 ft | 14 | 39 | ~210 pickets (5.5 in) |
| Post & rail, 2-rail | 14 | 26 | — |
| Chain link, 4 ft | 14 (line + terminal) | top rail 100 ft | 100 ft of mesh |
| Panel fence, 8 ft panels | 14 | — | 13 panels |
Source: Standard 8 ft post spacing, 5.5 in pickets with 1/2 in gap (US lumber sizes) · verified 2026-08-22
How fence materials are calculated
sections = ⌈length ÷ post spacing⌉ · posts = sections + 1 (open run) or sections (closed loop) + gate posts · rails = sections × 2 (3 over 5 ft) · pickets = length ÷ (picket width + gap)
120 ft of 6 ft privacy fence with one gate: 120 ÷ 8 = 15 sections → 16 posts + 1 gate post; 15 × 3 = 45 rails; 120 ft ÷ 6 in ≈ 240 pickets.
- 8 ft (2.44 m) post spacing, 5.5 in pickets with a ½ in gap; change the spacing for 6 ft panels.
- Corners and ends need extra bracing; add 1 post per corner on long runs.
- Buy 5–10 % extra pickets for cuts and splits.
What people use it for
Backyard privacy fence
6 ft tall, 3 rails, pickets butted tight. Check setbacks: many codes limit front-yard fences to 4 ft.
Whole-lot perimeter
Draw the plot: the perimeter minus the street frontage is the fence length; gates go where the driveway meets it.
Horse or livestock fencing
Post & rail or wire at 8–10 ft spacing; the perimeter of a 5-acre square is about 1,870 ft.
Frequently asked questions
How many fence posts do I need for 100 feet?
At 8 ft spacing: 13 sections, so 14 posts (one more than sections) plus 1 per gate.
How far apart should fence posts be?
8 ft is standard for wood; 6 ft for prefab panels and in windy areas; 10 ft for wire livestock fencing.
How many pickets for 100 feet of fence?
With 5.5 in pickets and a ½ in gap: 100 × 12 ÷ 6 = 200 pickets. Tight-butted 6 in boards: 200; 3.5 in pickets: ~300.
How much fence do I need for 1 acre?
A square acre is 208.7 ft per side, 835 ft around. Most lots are not square: draw yours for the real perimeter.
How many rails per fence section?
2 rails up to 5 ft tall; 3 rails for 6 ft privacy fences.
How deep should fence posts go?
About ⅓ of the post length: 2 ft for a 6 ft fence, deeper than the frost line where it freezes.
Related tools
Sources and author
Terramify editorial team · Research and data verification · Updated August 22, 2026
Source: Standard 8 ft post spacing, 5.5 in pickets with 1/2 in gap (US lumber sizes)
Indicative estimate · not a survey or a design · see methodology