Fence cost calculator
Estimate total fence cost from run length, height and your local material and labor rates, with the budget math shown.
Fence calculator
Enter your specs. Every result updates live and shows its formula.
Overview
Fence cost is run length times installed price per foot, but the honest way to budget is to split that rate into its parts: the material per linear foot and the labor to install it, then add gates and posts on top. This calculator takes your numbers in that shape, because local prices are the only prices that matter for your budget.
Widely cited cost estimates commonly put installed wood fence in the $20 to $50 per linear foot band, with material on its own in the $10 to $30 range and labor adding roughly $5 to $20 on top. Vinyl and composite typically price at or above the top of the wood band, and chain link at or below the bottom, but every one of those figures changes with region, height, grade and the market at the time you buy, so this calculator lives on your inputs, not averages.
Common mistakes
- Multiplying the run by a single "installed per foot" figure from one region and one material, then treating it as your quote.
- Counting the gate as fence footage, when a gate adds hardware and posts instead of straight panel feet.
- Forgetting concrete, fasteners and waste in the material line, the classic 10 to 15 percent that quietly lands on top of every take-off.
Related calculators
- Fence perimeter calculator Get the total perimeter feet and the post sections that length implies for a rectangular yard, with the spacing math shown.
- Fence stain calculator Work out how much fence stain covers both sides of a run for one, two or three coats, in gallons and 5 gallon buckets.
- Wood fence calculator Calculate posts, rails, pickets and concrete for a pressure-treated pine, cedar or redwood fence. Every formula shown, cost optional.
Related reading
- How Much Does a Wood Fence Cost: A Real Way to Estimate It
- Wood vs Chain Link Fence Cost: What Actually Differs
- DIY vs Contractor-Installed Fence: What Actually Changes
- Wood vs Vinyl vs Chain Link vs Aluminum Fence Cost
- Fence Permit Requirements and Local Building Codes
- HOA Fence Rules and Architectural Guidelines
In-depth guides
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wood fence cost per foot?
Widely cited cost estimates commonly put installed wood fences in the $20 to $50 per linear foot band: material $10 to $30 and labor $5 to $20, with height and grade swinging the number within and beyond the band. Prices also shift with the lumber and labor market over time, so enter your local rates in the calculator for a figure tied to your market rather than relying on a national range.
What is the formula for fence cost?
Take the run length in feet, multiply by your material cost per foot and your labor cost per foot, add the gate, post and concrete lines, then apply a waste factor on the material. The calculator runs that shape in plain view so the totals check with your quote.
How much does a 100 foot wood fence cost installed?
Inside the commonly cited band of $20 to $50 per installed foot, 100 feet of wood fence budgets to roughly $2,000 at the low end and $5,000 at the top, before gates and site work. Your real number depends on height, wood grade, local labor and current material prices, which is exactly what the calculator folds in.
Is vinyl more expensive than wood?
Usually yes on the panel material alone: vinyl and composite typically price at or above the top of what wood installs for, which is why the per-foot slider answers differ. The trade is maintenance, not first cost, so compare the two on lifespan and upkeep, not the receipt alone.
How much does chain link cost compared to wood?
Chain link is generally the least expensive installed option per linear foot of the common materials, often quoted below the wood band, with the fabric gauge and height as the main levers. It anchors the low end when you compare material options with the materials guide.
Should I hire a pro or DIY the fence?
The labor line ($10 to $20 per foot in the common band) is the whole question: DIY trades that saving for your time, tools and mistakes, and a pro trades it for speed and a warranty. The DIY-versus-contractor guide lays out the break-even and the risk points.
Why do quotes come in over the estimate?
Gates, post concrete, removal of an old fence, slope and access are the usual causes: they are real lines this calculator includes, that an optimistic per-foot number from a brochure does not. Let the calculator carry them and compare the pro quote line by line.
Does height change the cost per foot?
Yes, materially: taller fences use more material at the same spacing, and labor pricing commonly tick up with height as well. This calculator takes height into the take-off, so the per-foot total you see reflects the height you actually plan.