Fence Picket Calculator

Total Fence Length (Feet)

Picket Width (Inches)

Spacing Between Pickets (Inches)

Cost Per Picket ($)

Calculation Results

Total Pickets Needed: 0

Estimated Total Cost: $0.00

*Recommended: Add 5-10% extra for waste and cutting errors.

function calculatePickets() { var lengthFeet = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fenceLength').value); var widthInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('picketWidth').value); var spacingInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('picketSpacing').value); var costPerPicket = parseFloat(document.getElementById('picketCost').value) || 0; if (isNaN(lengthFeet) || isNaN(widthInches) || isNaN(spacingInches) || lengthFeet <= 0 || widthInches <= 0) { alert("Please enter valid numbers for length, width, and spacing."); return; } // Conversion: 1 foot = 12 inches var lengthInches = lengthFeet * 12; // The unit of one picket + its following space var totalUnitWidth = widthInches + spacingInches; // Formula: (Total Length / (Picket Width + Spacing)) // We round up because you can't buy half a picket var totalPickets = Math.ceil(lengthInches / totalUnitWidth); var totalCost = totalPickets * costPerPicket; document.getElementById('totalPicketsDisplay').innerHTML = 'Total Pickets Needed: ' + totalPickets.toLocaleString() + ''; document.getElementById('totalCostDisplay').innerHTML = 'Estimated Total Cost: $' + totalCost.toFixed(2) + ''; document.getElementById('resultArea').style.display = 'block'; }

How to Use the Fence Picket Calculator

Planning a DIY fencing project requires precision to avoid multiple trips to the hardware store. Our Fence Picket Calculator simplifies the process by determining exactly how many boards you need based on your specific layout.

Key Variables Explained

Total Fence Length: The linear distance you intend to cover, measured in feet. Be sure to subtract any space taken up by gates.
Picket Width: The actual width of the picket board (e.g., a standard 1×6 picket is usually actually 5.5 inches wide).
Spacing Between Pickets: How much gap you want between each board. Use "0" for a solid privacy fence.
Cost Per Picket: Optional field to help you estimate your materials budget.

The Picket Math: How it Works

The calculation is based on the "unit width" of your fence. A unit width is the width of one picket plus the width of one gap. The formula used is:

            (Fence Length in Feet × 12) / (Picket Width + Spacing) = Total Pickets
        

Real-World Example

Imagine you are building a 50-foot privacy fence using standard 5.5-inch wide pickets with a 0.5-inch gap for airflow:

Convert length to inches: 50 ft × 12 = 600 inches.
Calculate unit width: 5.5 in + 0.5 in = 6 inches.
Divide total length by unit: 600 / 6 = 100 pickets.
If each picket costs $2.50, your total material cost for pickets would be $250.00.

Professional Pro-Tip

Always buy 5% to 10% more pickets than the calculator suggests. This accounts for "culls" (boards that are warped, split, or unusable), mistakes made during cutting, or future repairs. If your calculator says 100, buying 110 is a safe bet for a smooth project completion.