Picket fence calculator
Calculate posts, rails and pickets for a classic picket fence with a visible gap between boards, the front-yard style rather than privacy.
Fence calculator
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Overview
A classic picket fence runs a visible gap between boards, commonly around 1.75 inches, rather than the zero gap of a privacy fence. That gap is added directly into the picket pitch formula, which is why the same run needs noticeably fewer pickets in this style than in a butted privacy layout.
Picket fences are also usually shorter than privacy fences, often 3 to 4 feet, since they mark a boundary rather than block a view.
Common mistakes
- Using a privacy-fence gap of zero on a picket-style fence, which understates the picket count and does not match the classic look.
- Building a picket fence taller than needed; most picket fences do their job at 3 to 4 feet.
- Rounding the gap to an arbitrary guess instead of picking one and letting the calculator compute the count it implies.
Related calculators
- Fence picket calculator Calculate exactly how many pickets you need from your fence run, picket width and gap, including a waste factor.
- Wood fence calculator Calculate posts, rails, pickets and concrete for a pressure-treated pine, cedar or redwood fence. Every formula shown, cost optional.
- Privacy fence calculator Calculate posts, rails and pickets for a solid privacy fence in any material, with a zero-gap board layout by default.
Related reading
In-depth guides
Frequently asked questions
How wide is the gap on a classic picket fence?
There is no single fixed number, but roughly 1.5 to 2 inches, often cited around 1.75 inches, is a common look. Wider gaps use fewer pickets for the same run; the calculator recomputes instantly as you change the gap.
How many pickets does a picket fence need?
Fewer than a privacy fence over the same run because of the gap. At 100 feet with a 5.5 inch board and a 1.75 inch gap, the pitch is 7.25 inches, giving about 166 pickets before waste, versus roughly 219 for a zero-gap privacy fence.
What height is typical for a picket fence?
3 to 4 feet is the common range for a front-yard picket fence, tall enough to mark the boundary and keep kids and dogs in sight while reading as decorative rather than defensive.
What is the difference between picket and privacy layout?
A picket layout spaces boards with a visible gap so the fence is open and light; a privacy layout butts boards with no gap so it is fully solid. The gap is the entire difference in the picket formula and a large part of the cost difference over a long run.
Are pickets always pointed at the top?
No. Pointed pickets are a classic option, but flat, dog-eared and arched tops are common too. The picket count is the same whatever the top profile, since it is driven by width and gap, not height decoration.
Do I need a gate for a picket fence?
Only if the run crosses a walkway you use. The calculator handles a gate the same way it does for other styles: it removes the opening from the run and adds two gate posts plus a hardware set.
Why do picket fences use fewer posts than privacy fences?
They generally do not: post spacing follows the same rules for both, commonly 6 to 8 feet on center. The visible difference is the boards, not the posts.
How do I keep picket gaps even along a long run?
Establish the pitch (board width plus gap) once and lay it out from the post centers rather than restarting the gap at each post, so the even spacing carries across the whole run and each post lands on the layout.