Board-on-Board Fence Calculator

Your details

The total linear run of fence from start to end, in feet (imperial) or metres (metric).
ft
The finished above-ground height of the fence. Posts extend 1/3 deeper into the ground.
ft
The actual face width of each board. A nominal 1x6 is actually 5.5 in; a nominal 1x4 is 3.5 in.
in
How much each picket overlaps the one behind it. About 24% of the board width is a common starting point; 1.5 in on a 5.5-in board.
in
Center-to-center distance between fence posts. 8 ft is common for standard 2x4 rails.
ft
Number of horizontal 2x4 rails between each pair of posts. Taller fences need more rails.
Add 5-15% for cuts, defects, and end matching. 10% is a typical buffer.
%
Optional: enter the price per board to calculate total picket cost. Leave at 0 to skip.
USD
Optional: price per fence post (typically a 4x4). Leave at 0 to skip.
USD
Optional: price per rail board (typically an 8-ft 2x4). Leave at 0 to skip.
USD
Pickets needed
330boards

Total pickets including waste allowance, rounded up

Posts needed14posts
Sections13sections
Rails needed26rails
Minimum post length9
Pickets (raw)300
Effective width4
Pickets330
Posts14
Rails26

You need 330 pickets for this board-on-board fence.

  • Your 100 ft fence divides into 13 sections, needing 14 posts and 26 rails.
  • At 1.5 in overlap (27% of board width), each picket covers 4.00 in of new ground.
  • Posts should be at least 9 ft long: one-third goes underground for a stable foundation.

Next stepAdd 1-2 extra posts if your run crosses a slope or changes direction, and account for gate hardware separately.

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