Fence picket calculator
Calculate exactly how many pickets you need from your fence run, picket width and gap, including a waste factor.
Fence calculator
Enter your specs. Every result updates live and shows its formula.
Overview
Picket count comes from dividing the usable run, in inches, by the picket pitch: the board width plus whatever gap sits between boards. A privacy fence commonly runs a zero gap, a classic picket fence runs a visible gap like 1.75 inches, and board-on-board runs boards closer than their own width because they overlap.
Gate openings are subtracted from the run before the picket count is computed, so a gate does not silently inflate the picket total, and a waste factor is applied on top for cut ends and the occasional warped board.
Common mistakes
- Computing pickets from the full fence length instead of the run after gate openings are subtracted.
- Ignoring the gap between pickets on a classic picket-style fence, which changes the count meaningfully compared to a butted privacy fence.
- Skipping a waste factor and running short by exactly the number of boards that get miscut or rejected.
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Related reading
In-depth guides
Frequently asked questions
How many pickets do I need for 100 feet of fence?
It depends on picket width and gap. At a common 5.5 inch board with no gap, 100 feet (1,200 inches) needs about 219 pickets before waste, and roughly 241 with a 10 percent waste factor. Enter your own width and gap in the calculator for an exact count.
Does the picket count change if I add a gate?
Yes. A gate opening is subtracted from the fence run before pickets are counted, since that stretch is not covered in pickets at all.
What is the formula for pickets per linear foot?
Convert the run to inches, divide by the pitch (board width plus gap), and round up, then add waste. Board-on-board subtracts the overlap from the pitch instead of adding a gap, which raises the count.
What board width should I use?
5.5 inches is a very common milled width, with 3.5 and 7.25 inches also standard depending on the board. Measure your actual board if you already have it; the calculator takes the width you enter.
Why is a waste factor included?
Boards get cut to fit ends, gates and corners, and occasionally arrive warped or split on site. A 10 percent default is a common starting allowance; adjust it down for a simple straight run or up for an irregular boundary.
Should I buy an extra row of pickets anyway?
Buying one extra bundle beyond your computed count is common for fence work because you cannot match stain or paint perfectly later if a board needs replacing. That is a purchase preference, separate from the count the calculator gives you.
How do I measure picket pitch in the yard?
Pitch is the center-to-center spacing, board width plus gap. On a privacy fence that is the board width; on a picket fence add the gap; on board-on-board subtract the overlap. Keeping one pitch for the whole run keeps gaps even.
Do shadowbox fences need the same picket count formula?
The per-side formula is the same width-plus-gap pitch, but shadowbox runs boards on both faces of the rail, so a fence that looks filled from both sides needs roughly twice the boards a single-sided line would. This calculator counts per side; multiply for a two-sided spec.