Free · Material quantities

Fence Rails and Post Materials

Plan posts, sections, rails and pickets for a straight fence run with a chosen maximum post spacing.

  • Formula & worked example
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Calculator inputs

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How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the known values in the units shown. Results update as you type.
  2. Where results are editable, change one to solve backwards. Lock a value to hold it fixed.
  3. Use the worked example to check the method. Reset restores the starting fields.

Private by default

Inputs and results stay in this browser tab. Bookify does not upload or store the values you enter.

Formula and method

In initial display units, Fence length 10, Post space 2.5, Fence height 2, Rails per section 2, Picket width 8, Picket spacing 2 gives Number of posts 5, Number of sections 4, Number of rails 8, Number of pickets 100, Post length 3.

Sections = ceil(length/spacing); posts = sections+1; rails = sections×rails per section; pickets = ceil(length/(board width+gap)).

Worked example

Enter these known values and leave the other values blank.

Fence length
10 m
Post space
2.5 m
Fence height
2 m
Rails per section
2
Picket width
8 cm
Picket spacing
2 cm
Number of posts
5
Number of sections
4
Post length
3 m
Number of rails
8
Number of pickets
100

Assumptions and limitations

  • The model counts one straight run with both end posts, no gates or corners. Picket count uses continuous board-plus-gap coverage. Post length is 1.5 times fence height; concrete assumes hole width three times post width and embedment one third of post length. These ratios are planning conventions requiring site-specific design.
  • Select compatible units and clear the quantity to solve before supplying the remaining measurements. Rounded purchase counts cannot uniquely recover a continuous dimension. Currency choices label amounts and do not convert exchange rates.

Common questions

How can I solve for a missing measurement?

Clear that field, then enter independent known values. Lock a known measurement to preserve it while changing another value. Procurement counts are rounded upward and cannot be reversed uniquely.

References

The calculation equations, inverse formulas, units, and input rules were imported from this source. Bookify provides the interface and equation solver.

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