Construction Calculators
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Fence Calculator
Calculate fence materials — posts, rails, pickets, concrete, and cost estimates for wood, vinyl, chain link, and aluminum fences.
Fence Material & Cost Calculator
Calculate posts, rails, pickets, concrete, and installation costs by fence type
Automate Your Takeoffs
BuildVision AI reads your site plans and calculates fencing materials, linear footage, and costs automatically from your drawings.
How to Calculate Fence Materials
Estimating fence materials starts with the total linear footage of your fence line. Measure the property boundary or desired fence path, then determine fence type, height, and post spacing to calculate all required materials.
Fence Posts
Divide total linear feet by post spacing (typically 8 feet for wood, 10 feet for chain link) and add 1 for the end post. Add extra posts for each gate. Each post needs 2 bags of concrete (80 lb) for the footing.
Rails and Pickets
Fences under 5 feet tall use 2 horizontal rails per section; taller fences use 3. For wood privacy fences, calculate pickets by dividing total inches of fence length by picket width (typically 5.5" for standard boards with no gap).
Fence Cost per Foot
| Type | Material/ft | Installed/ft |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Privacy | $8–$12 | $15–$25 |
| Chain Link | $5–$10 | $10–$20 |
| Vinyl | $12–$20 | $20–$35 |
| Aluminum | $15–$25 | $25–$40 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fence posts do I need?
Divide total fence length by post spacing (usually 8 feet) and add 1. For a 200-foot fence: 200 ÷ 8 + 1 = 26 posts, plus extra for gates.
How much does it cost to fence an acre?
A square acre has a perimeter of about 835 feet. At $15–$25 per foot installed for wood privacy fencing, expect $12,500–$21,000. Chain link is cheaper at $8,350–$16,700.
How deep should fence posts be?
Fence posts should be buried one-third of their total length. For a 6-foot fence, use 9-foot posts set 3 feet deep in concrete footings.