Fence Calculator
- Materials
- Labor
- Profit
Call 811 before digging post holes so buried utility lines are marked, and check local rules on fence height and setbacks.
Turn this into a quote
A one-page PDF for your customer, filled in from the numbers above. Your markup isn't shown.
How the fence calculation works
Divide the length by the post spacing
150 ft at 8 ft spacing is 18.75, so 19 sections. A straight run needs one more post than sections: 20 posts.
Add posts for corners and gates
Each gate needs a post on both sides, and a separate run needs its own end post.
Rails are sections × rails per section
19 sections with 2 rails each is 38 rails. Taller fences usually need more rails per section.
Pickets are length ÷ picket width plus gap
150 ft is 1,800 in; at 5.5 in per picket with no gap that is 327.3, or 360 pickets with 10% waste.
Add labor and markup for the quote
Fence crews often price per linear foot. Enter that, or hours × rate, plus your markup.
Worked example. A 150 ft wood privacy fence with posts every 8 ft has 19 sections, 20 posts ($300), 38 rails ($304) and 360 pickets with 10% waste ($1,080). With $200 of concrete and hardware, materials are $1,884. Labor at $10 per foot adds $1,500 and a 20% markup adds $676.80, so the price to quote is $4,060.80.
Fence FAQ
How many fence posts do I need?
Divide the fence length by the post spacing, round up, and add one for a straight run. Add a post for each gate side and each extra run.
How many pickets do I need for a fence?
Convert the length to inches and divide by the picket width plus gap. 150 ft of 5.5 in pickets with no gap needs about 328, or 360 with 10% waste.
How many rails does a fence need?
Multiply the rails per section by the number of sections. Taller fences usually need more rails, so follow your fence plan or the panel maker's guide. 19 sections with 2 rails each is 38 rails.
How far apart should fence posts be?
Set the spacing to your rail or panel length so each rail spans one section. With 8 ft rails, 150 ft of fence is 19 sections and 20 posts; at 6 ft it is 25 sections and 26 posts. Check your panel maker's guide for its maximum span.
How deep should fence posts be?
QUIKRETE says the hole should be 1/3 to 1/2 of the post height above ground, so a 6 ft fence needs a hole at least 2 ft deep. Make the hole about 3 times the post width (about 12 in for a 4 in post) and put about 6 in of gravel in the bottom.
How much should I charge per foot to install a fence?
Add materials, labor and a markup, then divide by the length to check your price per foot. In this example $4,060.80 for 150 ft is about $27 per foot.
How much concrete do I need for fence posts?
It depends on hole size and depth. QUIKRETE's post calculator gives 4 bags of 50 lb Fast-Setting Concrete for a 4 in post in a 12 in hole 24 in deep, so 20 posts need 80 bags. Add the bag cost to the concrete and hardware line here.
Sources: QUIKRETE: How to set posts (hole size, depth, gravel) · QUIKRETE: Quantity calculator, Set Posts · 811: Call before you dig