Quick lookup
Fence materials needed for common yard sizes (6 ft wood privacy fence)
Assumes 8 ft post spacing, two 2×4 rails, 1×6 pickets at zero gap, 50 lb concrete bag per post. Cost is for pressure-treated lumber at typical mid-2026 pricing.
| Fence length | Posts | Pickets | Rails | Concrete bags | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 linear ft | 7 | 100 | 14 | 14 | $850 |
| 100 ft (small back yard) | 13 | 200 | 26 | 26 | $1,650 |
| 150 ft | 20 | 300 | 40 | 40 | $2,475 |
| 200 ft (1/4 acre perimeter) | 26 | 400 | 52 | 52 | $3,300 |
| 300 ft (typical suburban) | 39 | 600 | 78 | 78 | $4,950 |
| 400 ft (1/2 acre perimeter) | 51 | 800 | 102 | 102 | $6,600 |
| 500 ft | 64 | 1,000 | 128 | 128 | $8,250 |
| 800 ft (1 acre) | 101 | 1,600 | 202 | 202 | $13,200 |
Add 4-6 ft per gate opening and 2 extra posts per gate (hinge + latch). Vinyl fence pricing is roughly 1.5x; chain link is 0.4-0.5x. Add 30-50% for professional installation.
Quick answer
How much fencing do I need?
Fence math: divide total length by panel length to get panels, add 1 to get posts, add 2 more posts per gate. Each post hole needs 2 bags of 60 lb concrete. The errors come from forgetting gate posts (need 2 heavy-duty posts each, not 1), and underestimating concrete (skimp on the footing and your fence sags after one winter).
Our fence calculator builds the complete materials list: panels, posts, concrete, and cost. Supports wood, vinyl, and chain link with realistic price defaults.
The math
The formula explained
Panels
panels = ⌈total length / panel length⌉. Wood and vinyl panels are 8 ft. Chain link sections are usually 10 ft. Round up - a partial last panel still costs the same as a full one.
Posts
posts = panels + 1 + (gates × 2). The +1 is for the start. Each gate adds 2 extra heavy-duty posts (one on each side of the gate opening).
Concrete
Standard post hole is 8-12 inches wide × 3 feet deep for a 6-7 ft fence. That takes 2 bags of 60 lb pre-mix concrete per hole.
Choose your material
Fence material comparison
| Material | Cost + lifespan | |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure treated pine | Most common DIY | $15-25/ft. 10-15 years |
| Cedar | Premium wood option | $25-40/ft. 15-25 years |
| Vinyl (PVC) | No maintenance | $30-60/ft. 25+ years |
| Chain link | Industrial / dog runs | $15-30/ft. 20+ years |
| Aluminum | Pool fencing | $30-50/ft. 30+ years |
| Wrought iron | Decorative front yard | $40-80/ft. 50+ years |
Use cases
Common projects
Average backyard (200 ft, 1 gate)
25 panels, 28 posts, 56 bags of concrete. About $2,800-4,500 in materials.
Side yard only (60 ft, 1 gate)
8 panels, 11 posts, 22 bags. About $900-1,400.
Dog run (40 × 20 ft, chain link)
12 panels (10 ft), 15 posts, 30 bags. About $1,200-1,800.
Front yard decorative (50 ft, no gate)
7 panels, 8 posts, 16 bags. About $700-1,200.
Pool fence code-compliant (120 ft)
15 panels, 18 posts (4 ft tall), 36 bags. Check local pool codes.
Full property line (400 ft, 2 gates)
50 panels, 55 posts, 110 bags. $5,500-8,500.
Save time and lasts longer
Pro tips
- Call 811 before you dig - free, required, and avoids hitting utility lines.
- Check property lines and HOA setback rules. Wrong placement = neighbor disputes.
- Set posts in concrete 1/3 of their above-ground height (a 6 ft fence = 2 ft deep posts).
- Slope-step the fence on hills rather than racking - better look, easier to build.
- Buy gate hardware separately. Cheap kits warp and bind after one season.
- Stain or seal wood fences within 6 months. Untreated wood weathers gray in months.
- Order 5-10% extra fence boards - warps, cracks, and miscuts happen.
Gate posts are critical
Related calculators
Building a fence usually means concrete footings and often touches the lawn, deck, or driveway. These pair naturally.
Concrete Calculator
Bags needed for fence post footings
Deck Calculator
Adjoining deck framing and footings
Paint Calculator
Stain or paint the new fence
Gravel Calculator
Gravel base for drainage at fence line
Mulch Calculator
Mulch along the fenced flower bed
Roofing Calculator
Pergola or arbor roof above the gate
Last reviewed: · Methodology based on US building code standards, contractor pricing surveys, and manufacturer specifications.