Everyday
Fence Calculator
Plan a fence project: pick the type, set the length, add gates and corners, and get a materials list with a realistic cost range.
How it works
Behind the numbers
Post counts drive the materials list. Line posts are spaced evenly, 8 feet being standard for wood and vinyl and 10 for chain-link, with an end post added and two dedicated posts per gate. Corners become terminal posts for chain-link. The calculator then counts pickets for wood (5.5-inch boards, no gap), 8-foot panels for vinyl and iron, fabric and top rail by the linear foot for chain-link, and one 50-pound concrete bag per post.
Costs come from two rates per linear foot, materials and labor, that default to the fence type: wood $25 and $15, vinyl $55 and $20, chain-link $12 and $8, wrought iron $70 and $25. Both stay editable because regional prices vary widely. Gates are priced per unit ($350 default), concrete per bag ($6 default). The point estimate is materials plus concrete plus gates plus labor.
The headline number is a range, not a quote: 0.90x to 1.15x of the point estimate, reflecting the spread between bargain and premium contractors. Slope, rocky soil, old-fence removal, and permit fees sit outside the model, so budget for those separately.
FAQ
Questions, answered
How many fence posts do I need?
Divide the total length by your post spacing, add one for the end post, then add two posts per gate. A 100-foot wood fence at 8-foot spacing needs 16 posts with one gate. The calculator does this for your numbers.
How much does a fence cost per linear foot?
Installed cost typically runs from the low teens per linear foot for chain-link to $70 and up for wrought iron, with wood privacy and vinyl between. This calculator defaults to $40 for wood, $75 for vinyl, $20 for chain-link, and $95 for iron per foot installed (materials plus labor), and both rates stay editable.
How many concrete bags do I need per fence post?
One 50-pound bag per post is the standard rule of thumb this calculator uses. Rocky or sandy soil can need more, and frost zones have minimum post-depth requirements, so check your local building code.
Are gates included in the fence estimate?
Yes. Each gate adds a per-unit price ($350 default, editable), two posts, and a hardware kit to the materials list. Enter your gate count and the estimate includes them.