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Fence Calculator
Measure the fence on a map or by hand, then get posts, rails, panels, and a printable quote.
Material
Wood style
Board overlap
Concrete
Pricing
Material pricing
Map measure
Search an address, then click the map to place points.
Current 120 ft
0 points drawn
Length 0 ft
Need a change for Fence Calculator?
About this calculator
Method, formulas, and limits.What this does
Calculates the full material takeoff for a fence project—posts, rails, panels, concrete, and hardware—based on the measured length, height, and material type. It also provides a printable cost quote with adjustable pricing for wood, board-on-board, vinyl, chain link, and aluminum fences.
Who it is for
Homeowners planning a new fence, contractors preparing material estimates, and DIYers comparing costs across fence styles and regions with support for UK, CA, NZ, and ZA units.
How it works
Start by selecting your region, units, and fence material. Measure the fence length by tracing directly on the map or entering dimensions by hand. The calculator divides the total length by the standard spacing for posts and rails, accounts for gate openings, and multiplies each material item by your entered unit prices to build a complete cost breakdown.
Limitations
Assumes straight fence runs and does not account for steep terrain, retaining walls, or specialized site prep. Pricing is based on user-entered values, not live retailer data, and labor rates may vary significantly by region.
Key calculations
- Post Count
- The number of fence posts needed based on length and spacing. postCount = ceil(totalLength / postSpacing) + 1 (for the starting post)
- Rail Count
- The number of horizontal rails per section times the number of sections between posts. railCount = (postCount - 1) × railsPerSection
- Panel Count
- Standard panel sections derived from total length divided by panel width. panelCount = ceil(totalLength / panelWidth)
- Total Cost
- Sum of all material costs plus concrete, hardware, and labor. totalCost = postCost + railCost + panelCost + concreteCost + hardwareCost + laborCost
Reference ranges
- Post Spacing
- Typical post spacing is 6–8 feet. 8 ft for wood and vinyl, 6–10 ft for chain link depending on wind loads and local codes.
- Material Lifespan
- Wood fences last 10–15 years. Vinyl: 20–30 years. Chain link: 15–20 years. Aluminum: 30+ years with minimal maintenance.
- Cost per Linear Foot
- Wood: $15–$35. Board-on-board: $20–$45. Vinyl: $25–$60. Chain link: $10–$30. Aluminum: $25–$55. Installed prices vary by region and labor rates.
- Board Factor (Board-on-Board)
- Board-on-board uses roughly 1.5–2× the boards of a standard privacy fence because each board overlaps the next. The default factor is editable based on your build.
How to use it
- 1.Select region and materialPick your region to set default units and currency, then choose a fence type: wood, board-on-board, vinyl, chain link, or aluminum.
- 2.Enter fence lengthTrace the fence line on the map and confirm the measured length, or enter the length and height manually using your preferred units.
- 3.Set post and rail optionsAdjust the post spacing, number of rails per section, and panel width to match your fence design and local building practices.
- 4.Add gate detailsEnter gate widths to subtract from the material takeoff. Gate posts are added to the total post count automatically.
- 5.Configure material pricesEnter your local prices for posts, rails, panels, concrete, and hardware, or use the defaults as a starting reference.
- 6.Print the quoteReview the full material list, quantities, and cost breakdown, then print the quote summary for shopping or contractor bids.
Yes. Search for an address or location, click points along your fence line on the satellite view to draw a path, then confirm the measured length to load it into the calculator. The map tool works in both feet and meters and accounts for straight-line segments between your clicks.
Board-on-board fencing uses a higher board factor by default because each vertical board overlaps the one next to it rather than sitting flush. The default factor is roughly 1.5–2× the boards of a standard privacy fence. You can edit the factor if your fence build or board width needs a different overlap amount.
Yes. Selecting a region updates the default measurement units (feet vs. meters) and currency symbol to match local conventions. You can still change the unit or currency independently after selecting a region if your project uses a different standard.
Yes. The calculator provides editable price fields for every material item—posts, rails, panels, concrete, and hardware. Enter your local prices from any supplier, and the calculator updates the cost breakdown. It does not pull live pricing from retailer websites.
Gate width is subtracted from the total fence length so that material estimates reflect only the actual fence run. Gate posts are added to the total post count automatically, and gate hardware costs can be entered separately for accurate budgeting.
The calculator supports wood (standard privacy and picket), board-on-board, vinyl, chain link, and aluminum fence types. Each material type adjusts default pricing, panel widths, and rail configurations. You can override any default value to match your specific project.
Yes. The calculator provides a printable quote summary that lists all material quantities, unit prices, and the total estimated cost. You can print it directly or save it as a PDF for sharing with contractors or taking to the hardware store.
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