Posts Needed: Total fence posts including line posts (one per section plus one at the end) and two additional gate posts.
Rails: Horizontal 8-foot rails connecting posts — two per section (top and bottom), which is standard for most wood fence styles.
Pickets: Individual vertical boards at 5.5 inches wide running the full length of the fence. This assumes pickets placed side-by-side with no gap.
Gate Posts: Two heavier posts (typically 6×6) placed where the gate will hang. Most fences need at least one gate.
How This Calculator Works
You enter total fence length, height, and spacing between posts (8 feet is typical). The tool divides total length by post spacing to find how many sections you need, adds one more post for the end, and includes two gate posts. It multiplies sections by two for rails and estimates pickets at 5.5 inches wide across the full length.
Quick Questions
What post spacing should I use?
8 feet is standard for most residential wood fences. Windy areas or fence heights over 6 feet may call for 6-foot spacing.
Does this include corner posts?
Corners and end posts are counted as regular line posts. If your fence has multiple corners, the total post count should still be accurate since each corner sits at a section boundary.
What about picket gaps?
This calculator assumes no gap between pickets (a privacy fence). For a spaced picket fence, you'll need fewer pickets — roughly 50% fewer for equal gap-and-picket spacing.
How deep should post holes be?
A common rule is one-third of the total post length underground. For a 6-foot fence, use 8-foot posts set 2 feet deep in concrete.
Sources
American Wood Council (lumber sizing, structural guidelines for residential construction)