A fence estimator built the way fences are actually bought

Why FenceCalc exists

Getting a fence quote usually means giving up your phone number, waiting for a callback, and then comparing three bids written to different specifications. Homeowners deserve better than that, and contractors deserve a customer who already knows the difference between 8 ft and 10 ft post spacing.

FenceCalc gives you the quantities and the cost before you talk to anyone. Free, no account, no email capture.

Who it is for

• Homeowners planning a backyard fence who want a realistic budget and an itemized shopping list.
• DIY builders who need accurate post, rail, picket and concrete counts before a lumber yard run.
• Contractors and estimators who want a fast sanity check on a layout, or a clean PDF to hand a client.
• Anyone comparing bids who wants to see what a specification change does to the price.

How the numbers are built

Material quantities are calculated from the run you draw, using standard construction practice:

• One post per section, plus one at the end, plus two posts per gate opening
• Rails counted per section at the rail count you choose
• Pickets calculated from actual board width plus the gap you set
• Concrete at two 80 lb bags per post by default, matching a 9 in. hole 30 in. deep
• Gate posts counted and priced against walk or drive gate kits

Unit prices start from national 2026 averages for common materials at major home centers and lumber yards, and every one is editable in step 4, so you can drop in your local quote.

What we will not pretend

FenceCalc does not know your soil, your slope, your local permit fees or what your neighbor will do about the property line. Estimates are planning tools, not quotations. The total comes with a range because material markets and labor rates move, and site work like rock removal is priced separately.

Editorial approach

Guides on this site are written around the questions that actually come up before money changes hands: how many pickets in 100 feet, what a fence costs per foot in 2026, whether wood or vinyl is worth it, and what to check before you dig. Where rules vary by city or state, we say so and tell you who to call.

About advertising and links

FenceCalc is reader-supported. Display advertising covers hosting and tooling costs, and some outbound links to retailers may be affiliate links, which can earn a commission if you buy something. That never changes the price you pay, and it does not influence the estimates or the guides.

Corrections and questions

If a number looks wrong or a guide is out of date, tell us through the contact page. Corrections are welcome, especially from working installers who know their local market better than any national average does.

Last updated October 2026.