Fence Picket Calculator
Pickets and rails for a stick-built wood privacy fence.
Pickets, rails & fasteners
Stick-built| Item | Required | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Rails (2×4)+10% waste | 60 | 66 × 8 ft |
| Pickets / boards+10% waste | 305 | 336 × 6 ft |
| Exterior fastenersGalvanized or stainless · +10% waste | 2,070 | 2,277 |
How this was calculated
- Open run with 0 corner(s): 1 run(s), exact run lengths (gates assumed mid-run).
- 1 gate(s) × 4 ft removed from infill: 150 ft total → 146 ft net fence.
- Terminal posts = 2 end + 0 corner + 2 gate. Line posts keep every bay ≤ 8 ft. Gates assumed mid-run.
- Stick-built: 5.5" pickets with 0.25" gaps, 3 rails per bay.
- Waste allowance 10% applied only to cuttable/breakable items; posts, panels, hardware and concrete are bought at required quantity.
Planning estimate only — not a contractor quote. Actual pricing varies by location, terrain, material quality, permits and project complexity.
How picket count is calculated
Pickets = (length in inches ÷ (picket width + gap)) × 1.10
A standard 1×6 picket is 5.5" wide. With a 1/4" gap, 100 ft of fence needs about 209 pickets plus 10% → roughly 230 pickets.
Rails: two per section for 4 ft fences, three for 6 ft, four for 8 ft.
Pickets are calculated on net fence length (gate openings removed). Waste is applied once to pickets, rails and fasteners — not to posts or concrete.
Frequently asked questions
Should pickets have gaps?
Green pressure-treated pickets shrink as they dry, so many builders butt them tight. Kiln-dried or cedar pickets usually get a 1/8–1/4 inch gap.