Fence Picket Calculator
Find the exact number of pickets needed for your fence. Enter fence length, picket size, gap, and height to get quantities with 10% waste included.
Total linear feet of fence
Actual width of each picket board
Standard gap is 3/8" (0.375") for privacy fences
How many pickets do I need for a 100-foot fence?
For a 100-foot fence with standard 5.5-inch pickets and 3/8-inch gaps: each picket + gap covers 5.875 inches. 100 feet = 1,200 inches. 1,200 ÷ 5.875 = 204 pickets. Add 10% for waste and cuts: approximately 225 pickets. For wider 7.25-inch pickets with smaller gaps, you would need about 157 pickets. Always round up and add waste factor for broken or warped boards.
What is the standard spacing between fence pickets?
Privacy fences: 3/8" to 1/2" gap (pickets nearly touching). Board on board fences: 1" to 2" gap (second layer covers gaps). Picket fences (decorative): 1" to 3" gap depending on style. Good neighbor fences: alternating sides every other picket. Tighter gaps provide more privacy but reduce airflow and may trap moisture. Wider gaps reduce wind load but offer less privacy.
Should I use dog-eared or square-top pickets?
Dog-eared pickets have angled tops cut at 45 degrees on each corner. They are the most common choice for privacy fences because they shed water better, resist rot longer, and have a classic look. Square-top pickets offer a cleaner, modern appearance but are more prone to water damage on the cut ends. Dog-eared pickets typically cost the same as square top but perform better outdoors.
How do I calculate pickets for a double-sided (board on board) fence?
For board on board fences, you need twice the number of pickets since they overlap. Standard: picket width + gap covers one side; boards on the opposite side cover the gaps. If using 5.5-inch pickets with 3.5-inch gaps: On each side, pickets cover 5.5 inches with 3.5 inches between. Total pickets = 2 × (Fence Length in inches ÷ (Picket Width)). For 100 ft: 2 × (1,200 ÷ 5.5) = 436 pickets.