Fencing · Project planning

Fence Picket Calculator

Fit individual boards within each fence field and check whether the selected whole-number count can meet a maximum equal gap. Counts are rounded per bay before waste.

By Alish Gautam, Software Developer · Updated · Calculation methodology

Start with the editable example below. Dimensions retain their physical size when units change. Region sets currency labels without converting currencies; confirm entered quotes after changing region.

Fence layout

Run length includes gate openings. Gate offset is measured from the run start. Corner and straight connections share the preceding end post.

Run 1
Basic settings
Editable wood-fence planning example. Use project or manufacturer limits.
Maximum mode reports the actual equal gap. Fixed mode uses the selected gap for purchasing and reports the required end cut.
Product settings
Product and system dimensions
Editable arithmetic example. Replace with your project or product specification.
Editable arithmetic example. Replace with your project or product specification.
Editable arithmetic example. Replace with your project or product specification.
Editable arithmetic example. Replace with your project or product specification.
Optional supplier product name, chart revision or quote reference, saved in shared project state.
Advanced settings
Advanced planning settings
Connect the last run back to the first. All runs must form one connected perimeter.
Enter the combined post-face / bracket reduction per bay. Zero treats the equal bay spacing as the clear board field.
Planning allowance, not a code or industry requirement. Set zero to order the exact rounded takeoff.
Cost settings · USD
Optional quote prices
Optional supplier quote in the selected currency. Blank omits cost.

Project takeoff

Whole packages round up. Allowance is separate from purchased surplus. Prices omit labor, delivery, tax and other items unless explicitly entered.

Total measured fence run
100 ft
Gate openings
0 ft
Net infill length
100 ft
Maximum bay spacing
8 ft
Infill bays
13
Physical posts
14
First bay actual equal gap
0 in
First bay end-board trim
1.192 in
Boards per net unit length
2.21 per ft
Net requirement
221 pieces
Allowance
22.1 pieces
Planned requirement
243.1 pieces
Unrounded package requirement
243.1
Boards / pickets to buy
244
Purchased coverage
244 pieces
Surplus beyond planned requirement
0.9 pieces

Supplier-ready material list

line posts
12
end posts
2
corner posts
0
gate posts
0
Boards / pickets to buy
244
Rails to buy
43
Rail installed linear length
300 ft
Fasteners before reserve
1,326

Check before ordering

  • Trim the final board to fit this field at the selected gap, or revise the field/board dimensions.
Geometry / layout breakdown
Dimensions use the selected measurement system.
RunInfill (ft)BaysEqual spacing (ft)
Run 1100137.692
Infill span sketch. Shared supports appear in both spans; the physical post total above counts each once. Gate openings are omitted from infill.
Infill span elevationsSpan 1: Run 1 · 13 bays

The calculation uses clear field width as entered; post faces and brackets may reduce it. A negative equal gap is a cut requirement, not physical negative spacing.

How it works

N = ceil((field + gap) / (board width + gap)). Equal gap = (field − N × width) / (N − 1). Negative gap means an end board needs ripping.

Assumptions and limitations

The calculation uses clear field width as entered; post faces and brackets may reduce it. A negative equal gap is a cut requirement, not physical negative spacing.

Whole packages round upward after the chosen allowance. Physical geometry and purchase reserve are separate. Manufacturer and project specifications override editable examples; the selected region does not establish a local code requirement.

Sources and boundaries

This method uses geometric arithmetic and user-entered dimensions. No installation requirement or material property is inferred from a standard.