Calculate pickets, posts, and rails for a board fence.
Pickets Needed
— pickets
Plus posts and rails.Usage Tip
Set corner and gate posts first, then space the line posts evenly between them; leave a small gap between pickets for wood movement.
THE MATH
pickets = round up( length × 12 ÷ picket width )
posts = round up( length ÷ post spacing ) + 1
rails = posts × 2
posts = round up( length ÷ post spacing ) + 1
rails = posts × 2
A board fence has vertical pickets fastened to horizontal rails between posts. Picket count comes from the fence length and picket width; posts and rails follow from the spacing.
Enter the fence length and height, the picket width, and the post spacing (8 feet is common).
Counts round up to whole pieces.
Counts round up to whole pieces.