Pick your wood type and fence style
Select cedar, pressure-treated pine, redwood, or SPF. Each species has different board dimensions, pricing, and spacing conventions. Then choose privacy, shadowbox, spaced, or traditional picket style.
Wood privacy fence takeoff for 2026 projects
Wood Fence Calculator
Estimate pickets, posts, rails, concrete, and total installed cost for cedar or pressure-treated wood fences. National average: $25-$50/linear ft installed. Updates live as you adjust height, spacing, and location.
Wood fence pricing in 2026:
Cedar privacy fence runs $31-$54/linear ft installed in most U.S. markets. Pressure-treated pine runs $20-$35/linear ft.
Regional labor is the biggest swing factor, so select your state below for a realistic range.
The most common backyard fence in America, and the one with the most variables. This calculator handles:
- Picket count for privacy, spaced, shadowbox, or picket style
- Rail count auto-set by height: 2-rail or 3-rail
- Post size and spacing: 4x4 or 6x6, 6 ft or 8 ft OC
- Concrete bags per post using 80 lb Quikrete assumptions
- Cedar vs. pressure-treated vs. redwood pricing and 50-state labor multipliers
Interactive estimator
Wood fence calculator with live materials, labor, and 2D preview
Use Expert Mode for a fast takeoff or Step-by-step Mode for a 6-step project flow.
WOOD FENCE CALCULATOR
All inputs update the estimate immediately.
Step 1 of 6
How it works
How the wood fence calculator works
Enter your fence run, height, and post spacing
Type your total linear footage or draw the perimeter. Fence height determines rail count automatically: 6 ft and under uses 2 rails; 7-8 ft uses 3 rails.
Review your materials list and cost range
The results show picket count with 10% waste, post count, rail count, concrete bags, and an installed cost range adjusted for your state's labor market.
Planning guide
Wood fence planning guide — what the numbers mean
Picket Count Formula
How we calculate pickets for a privacy fence with a 0" gap:
Pickets = ceil(Fence Run inches / Picket Width inches)
Standard 6" dog-ear cedar picket on a 150 ft run: ceil((150 x 12) / 6) = 300 pickets. Add 10% waste factor: 330 pickets to purchase.
For spaced pickets: Pickets = ceil(Fence Run inches / (Picket Width + Gap Width)). For shadowbox style, the rule of thumb is about 50% more pickets than standard privacy.
Always buy 10% extra. Wood pickets have a higher defect and warp rate than vinyl or aluminum. Inspect each board before nailing.
Post Count and Spacing
Standard post spacing is 8 ft on-center because most dimensional rail lumber comes in 8 ft and 16 ft lengths, minimizing cut waste.
Line Posts = floor(Fence Run ft / Spacing ft) - 1
Total Posts = Line Posts + End Posts + Gate Posts x 2
Total Posts = Line Posts + End Posts + Gate Posts x 2
Example: 150 ft straight run, 1 walk gate, 8 ft OC. Line posts: floor(150 / 8) - 1 = 17. End posts: 2. Gate posts: 2. Total: 21 posts.
Use 6 ft OC in heavy clay, sandy, or high-wind locations. The extra posts prevent lean and extend fence life.
Rail Count by Height
| Fence Height | Rails Needed | Recommended Rail Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 ft | 2 rails | 2x3 or 2x4 | Top + bottom |
| 5-6 ft | 2 rails | 2x4 | Calculator auto rule |
| 7-8 ft | 3 rails | 2x4 | Top + mid + bottom |
| 8 ft+ | 3-4 rails | 2x6 | Structural requirement |
Hoover Fence Co. recommends increasing rail count as height rises; this calculator follows the requested auto rule of 2 rails through 6 ft and 3 rails for 7-8 ft.
Concrete Per Post
Rule of thumb: 1 bag of 80 lb Quikrete per 4x4 post in average soil. For 6x6 posts, loose sandy soil, or high-wind areas, use 2 bags per post.
Post hole depth is typically one-third of total post length, with a minimum 24" below grade. In cold climates, go below the frost line: often 36-48".
A 6 ft fence commonly uses 8 ft posts set about 2 ft below grade. An 8 ft fence commonly uses 10 ft posts set about 2.5-3 ft below grade.
Cedar vs. Pressure-Treated: Full Comparison
| Factor | Cedar | Pressure-Treated Pine |
|---|---|---|
| Natural rot resistance | Excellent natural oils | Chemical treatment (ACQ/CA) |
| Appearance | Warm reddish grain | Greenish tint that fades to gray |
| Paintability | Stain immediately | Wait about 6 months before painting |
| Material cost/ft | $8-$15 | $6-$12 |
| Installed cost/ft | $25-$45 | $20-$35 |
| Lifespan above ground | 15-30 yr | 15-20 yr |
| Lifespan ground contact | 5-10 yr | 20-40 yr |
Best practice: use cedar for pickets, rails, and above-ground components, then use pressure-treated posts for all ground-contact applications.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
| Scenario | Typical Savings vs. Installed | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Full DIY | 50-65% | Experienced DIYers, simple flat terrain |
| DIY + rented post hole digger | 40-55% | Rental about $80-$120/day |
| Partial DIY | 20-35% | You dig, pro installs |
| Professional install | Baseline | Complex terrain, permits, 200+ ft projects |
Professional installation often accounts for 40-60% of total project cost. DIY can save labor but may require 40-60 hours plus tool rental or purchase.
Regional Cost Variation
| Region | Typical Installed Cost/ft | vs. National Avg |
|---|---|---|
| California / Pacific NW | $35-$60 | +20-35% |
| New England | $32-$55 | +15-25% |
| Texas / Southeast | $20-$35 | -10-20% |
| Midwest | $25-$45 | At average |
| Mountain West | $28-$50 | +5-15% |
The calculator applies 50-state labor multipliers to adjust the labor budget for your specific location.
FAQ
Wood fence calculator — frequently asked questions
How many pickets do I need for a 100 ft wood fence?
For a standard 6-inch privacy fence: 100 ft x 12 in/ft / 6 in = 200 pickets. Add 10% waste for 220 pickets to purchase. For a shadowbox fence, multiply by 1.5 for about 330 pickets.
How many fence posts do I need for 100 linear feet?
At standard 8 ft OC spacing: floor(100 / 8) - 1 = 11 line posts + 2 end posts = 13 posts. Add 2 gate posts if you have one walk gate.
How much does a wood fence cost per linear foot in 2026?
Cedar privacy fence: $25-$45/linear ft installed. Pressure-treated pine: $20-$35. Redwood: $30-$55. DIY material cost only: about $7-$18 depending on wood species.
How deep should wood fence posts be set?
The standard rule is one-third of total post length below grade, minimum 24 inches. Cold climates often require 36-48 inches or below frost line.
How many bags of concrete do I need per fence post?
Use 1 bag of 80 lb Quikrete for a 4x4 post in average soil and 2 bags for 6x6 posts or loose/sandy soil. Gate posts may also need reinforcement.
What is the difference between a privacy fence and a shadowbox fence?
A privacy fence places pickets side-by-side with zero gap. A shadowbox fence alternates pickets on both sides of the rail, allows airflow, and uses about 50% more pickets.
Should I use cedar or pressure-treated wood for my fence?
Cedar is excellent for above-ground pickets and rails. Pressure-treated pine is recommended for all ground-contact posts regardless of which wood you use for pickets.
How long does a wood fence last?
Cedar can last 15-30 years with staining every 3-5 years. Pressure-treated pine lasts 15-20 years above ground, while treated posts can last 20-40 years.
Do I need a permit to build a wood fence?
Most municipalities require a permit for rear-yard fences over 6 ft, front-yard fences over 4 ft, or fences within local setback distances. HOA approval may add 2-6 weeks.
How much does it cost to fence a backyard with wood?
For a typical 150 ft backyard perimeter, cedar privacy fencing often lands around $3,750-$6,750 installed, PT pine about $3,000-$5,250, and redwood about $4,500-$8,250.
Related calculators