How Many Fence Boards Do You Need?
Calculate fence boards, posts, and rails by length. Privacy, picket, and ranch styles.
Fence Material Calculations
Posts: One every 8 feet plus end/corner posts. Set 2-3 feet deep in concrete. Rails: 2 rails for fences under 5 feet, 3 rails for 5+ feet. Boards: For privacy fence with 5.5" boards: approximately 2.2 boards per linear foot. Add 5-10% for waste, warped boards, and cuts.
Fence Building Tips
Posts are everything. A fence is only as good as its posts. Set them in concrete, plumb and level, with 1/3 of the post length below ground (6-foot fence = 8-foot post, 2 feet in ground). Gate posts: Use 6x6 posts for gates — 4x4 posts sag under gate weight over time. Board orientation: For privacy fences, face the "good" side toward your neighbor — it is often required by code and it is the right thing to do.
The most common fence failure: inadequate post depth. Posts should be 1/3 below ground (minimum 24 inches for a 6-foot fence) and set in concrete. Gravel-only posts lean within 2-3 years. Concrete costs $3-5 per post and adds decades to fence lifespan. This is not the place to cut corners.
