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Same dimensions in different materials:
Buy 10% extra. Always add waste for cuts, knots, and mistakes. It's cheaper than a second trip.
Call 811 first. Free utility locating is required before digging post holes. It's the law in most states.
Check your property line. Most municipalities require fences 2–6 inches inside your property boundary.
Bury posts deep. At least ⅓ of the post should be underground, and below the frost line in cold climates.
Good side out. Many codes require the finished side to face your neighbor. Check before building.
Season matters. Material prices often drop 10–15% in late fall and winter. Plan ahead to save.
Whether you're building a backyard privacy fence or replacing an old one, knowing how much material to buy before heading to the store saves time, money, and frustration. The calculations are straightforward once you understand the basic components of a fence: posts, rails, pickets (or panels or fabric), concrete, and hardware.
Our calculator handles all of this automatically, but here's how the math works so you can double-check the numbers or adjust for your specific situation.
Posts are the backbone of any fence. They're set in concrete and support everything else. The number of posts depends on your total fence length and the spacing between them.
Standard post spacing is 8 feet for wood and vinyl fences, and 10 feet for chain link. Closer spacing (6 feet) makes a stronger fence that handles wind better but uses more posts and concrete. Don't forget to add extra posts for corners (1 per corner) and gates (2 per gate).
For example, a 150-foot fence with 8-foot spacing and 4 corners needs: (150 ÷ 8) + 1 + 4 = 24 posts. If you have a gate, add 2 more for 26 total.
Rails are the horizontal boards that run between posts — pickets attach to them. Most fences use 2 rails for heights up to 5 feet, and 3 rails for 6-foot or taller fences. The third rail adds stability and prevents pickets from warping over time.
This depends on your fence style. A standard privacy fence uses 5.5-inch-wide pickets with no gaps, which means roughly 2.18 pickets per linear foot. A picket fence with 3.5-inch boards spaced 2.5 inches apart uses fewer boards per foot but shows gaps. Shadowbox and board-on-board styles use more lumber because boards are placed on alternating sides or overlapped.
Always buy at least 10% more than the calculated amount. Lumber comes with knots, warps, and splits — you'll inevitably reject some boards, and you'll lose material to cuts at corners and ends. A second trip to the store for 6 more boards costs more in time and gas than buying extra upfront.
Each fence post should be set in concrete for stability. A good rule of thumb is 2 bags of 50-pound concrete mix per post. This assumes a post hole about 10 inches in diameter and deep enough to bury one-third of the post length (for a 6-foot fence with 8-foot posts, that's about 24 inches deep). In loose or sandy soil, or for corner and gate posts that bear more stress, use 3 bags per post.
$15–35 per foot (materials, DIY)
The most popular choice for privacy fences. Pressure-treated pine is the most affordable; cedar and redwood cost more but resist rot naturally. Wood requires staining or sealing every 2–3 years and typically lasts 15–20 years.
$25–45 per foot (materials, DIY)
Higher upfront cost but virtually no maintenance — just hose it off occasionally. Vinyl won't rot, warp, or need painting. Lasts 25–30 years. Comes in pre-assembled panels that make installation faster but limit custom sizing.
$8–18 per foot (materials, DIY)
The most affordable option. Galvanized steel requires zero maintenance and lasts 20–25 years. No privacy unless you add slats or plant along it. Best for keeping pets in or marking boundaries on a budget.
In all 50 states, you're legally required to call 811 at least a few business days before digging. They'll send someone to mark underground utility lines (gas, electric, water, telecom) for free. Hitting a gas line with a post hole digger is dangerous and expensive — this step is non-negotiable.
Most municipalities require a permit for fences over a certain height (usually 6 feet). Many have setback requirements — your fence may need to be 2–6 inches inside your property line, not on it. HOAs often dictate material, color, maximum height, and which direction the "finished side" faces. Check all of these before buying materials.
If your fence sits on or near a property line, it's good practice (and sometimes legally required) to discuss it with your neighbor beforehand. In many states, a fence directly on the property line means shared ownership and potentially shared cost. Getting an agreement in writing before you build prevents disputes later.
According to HomeAdvisor, the average U.S. backyard perimeter is 150–170 feet. A standard 6-foot wood privacy fence for that perimeter runs $2,500–5,500 in DIY materials. Vinyl for the same yard costs $4,000–7,500. Chain link is the most affordable at $1,200–3,000. Add $10–25 per foot if you hire a contractor for labor.
Chain link is the cheapest material, but it's also harder to install as a DIY project because it requires tensioning tools. For a DIY-friendly project, a basic pressure-treated wood privacy fence is often the best balance of cost and ease of installation. Most homeowners can build 30–50 feet of wood fence per day.
The general rule is to bury one-third of the total post length. For a 6-foot fence using 8-foot posts, that means 24 inches underground. In cold climates, posts should extend below the frost line to prevent heaving — check your local frost line depth, which can range from 12 inches in the South to 48+ inches in northern states.
With proper maintenance, a pressure-treated wood fence lasts 15–20 years. Cedar lasts 15–25 years. Vinyl lasts 25–30 years with minimal care. Chain link lasts 20–25 years. The posts typically fail first — setting them properly in concrete and keeping the base clear of soil and mulch extends their life significantly.
Need a calculator focused on your specific fence type? Try one of our dedicated tools:
Calculate pickets, posts, and rails for a standard privacy fence. Includes a quick-reference table for common fence lengths.
Figure out how many overlapping boards you need. Side-by-side cost comparison with standard privacy fencing.
Estimate terminal posts, line posts, fabric, tension bars, and all the fittings for a chain link fence.
Just need to know how many posts and bags of concrete? This focused tool breaks it down with depth recommendations.