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Fence material calculator

Plan posts, pickets or panel kits, rails, gates and optional post-hole concrete from a fence layout. Review the method, a worked example and the limits before using your result.

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OUTDOOR PROJECTS · FENCE PLANNER

Fence material calculator

Map your runs and gates. Build a checked material list.

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Fence inputs and estimate

01 Your fence layout

Connected runs share their joining post. Independent runs share none. Closed loops must return to their start.

Run length is measured centre to centre between its end posts. Turns are viewed from above, travelling from the first run. Horizontal, level plan only.

02 Gates & openings

Enter the clear opening, not the gate leaf width. Position is the first gate post’s centre, measured from the run’s start. The occupied centre-to-centre length is opening + actual post width.

No gate openings added.

03 Posts & infill
m

Height of each picket or panel, excluding any ground clearance.

mm

One post size is used throughout, including gate openings. Select post stock length and embedment separately.

m

Centre-to-centre spacing. Each uninterrupted interval is divided into equal bays no longer than this. In panel mode, enter the supplier’s post-centre module.

Pickets between posts

One layer of vertical pickets fits between the inside post faces. Both edge pickets are balanced when ripping is needed; ripped strips are not reused.

mm

Suggested dimensions are actual widths; check your product. Custom values are welcome.

mm

Fixed gap between pickets; no additional gap at the post faces.

pcs

One rail blank per bay per level. Offcuts are not pooled.

%

Applied separately to whole infill pieces and rail blanks after the installed quantities.

pcs

Added to the purchase only; no extra holes or concrete.

04 Optional post concrete
05 · Optional prices & formatting

Enter prices for the selected dimensions and height. Empty means unknown, not zero. A partial subtotal is identified when any item is unpriced.

USD

Includes extra regular posts.

USD

A separate rate; gate posts are counted once.

USD

One height-length blank per installed picket, including ripped edges.

USD

One blank per rail piece; choose a blank long enough for the largest opening plus fitting allowances.

Changing this label does not convert money.

Point or comma for decimals; spaces only for grouped thousands. US inch fields also accept 5 1/2, 5-1/2 and 3/4. Physical dimensions are preserved when units change.

Material estimate for level, non-crossing runs. Pickets fit between posts; no overlap, shadowbox or horizontal-board layout. Post length, footing design, wind resistance and gate reinforcement are not determined. Prices exclude unentered hardware, finishes, labour, delivery and tax.

Edits are saved in this tab when browser storage is available.

How to use

  1. Choose connected runs, a closed outline or independent lines. Enter each run between the centres of its end posts and choose straight or 90-degree turns.
  2. Add gate positions and clear openings. Choose vertical pickets or ready-made panels, then enter the relevant spacing and product dimensions.
  3. Set rails and reserve quantities. Enable post-hole concrete only when its dimensions and product yield are known.
  4. Inspect the plan and shopping list. Enter prices for every active item to obtain a complete total; missing prices remain unknown.

Calculation method

Each uninterrupted interval between gates is divided into equal bays no longer than the entered maximum centre spacing. Connected corners share a post; gate-duty posts are counted within installed posts rather than added twice. Clear infill spans exclude post widths. Pickets use their widths and gaps with symmetric edge trimming; panel mode applies the entered module rules. Reserve rounds infill and rails separately. Optional concrete subtracts the solid post section from each cylindrical fill hole, adds its own allowance and divides by mixed yield per bag.

Worked example

A single straight 12 m run with no gates and a maximum centre spacing of 2.4 m makes five bays and six installed posts. With three rail levels, one rail blank per bay and level gives 15 before reserve. A 10% rail reserve gives 17. Spare posts increase the shopping count, but do not create additional installed holes or concrete.

Assumptions and limits

The model uses right-angle or straight connections and rejects invalid intersections. It does not design post lengths, foundations, wind resistance, gate strength or fixings. All concrete holes share one specification. Panel clear width is not a finished cutting instruction. Check product rules before shortening panels or ripping pickets.

Continue your plan

Use the concrete calculator for separate foundations, the lumber calculator for volume pricing, and the deck calculator for deck-board layouts.

Copy, download or print a valid result to keep the inputs with the estimate. Currency selections label your prices; they do not apply an exchange rate. Product-dependent examples should be replaced with data for the material or equipment you actually use.

For the measurement and planning details, read planning fence runs, gate openings and shared posts.