Prices last reviewed: October 2026
How to use the fence cost calculator
- Pick the fence type and height. The calculator sets sensible defaults for post spacing, hole size and labor for each type.
- Enter the length of each side. Measure each straight run separately. If your fence starts and ends at the house, leave the closed loop box unchecked.
- Add your gates. Gate openings are taken out of the fence length, and each gate adds a post.
- Check the prices. Every unit price in the list can be changed. Type in the prices from your local store for an accurate total.
- Print or copy the list and take it to the store. The link button saves the exact estimate so you can come back to it.
Typical fence cost by type
These examples use the calculator's default prices for a 150 ft fence in one straight run with one 4 ft walk gate. Your numbers will change with local prices, fence layout and site conditions.
| Fence type | Height | DIY total | DIY per ft | Installed total | Installed per ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain link | 4 ft | $1,454 | $9.69 | $2,804 | $18.69 |
| Wood picket | 4 ft | $1,831 | $12.21 | $3,481 | $23.21 |
| Wood privacy | 6 ft | $2,639 | $17.59 | $4,739 | $31.59 |
| Board-on-board | 6 ft | $2,941 | $19.61 | $5,341 | $35.61 |
| Vinyl privacy | 6 ft | $4,273 | $28.49 | $6,073 | $40.49 |
For comparison, NerdWallet reports that professionally installed fences average about $15 to $25 per linear foot for a typical project, with a wide range by material and region.
How the calculator works
Every number in the materials list comes from a short set of rules that fence builders use. Here is what happens behind the scenes, so you can check the result yourself.
Posts and sections
Each side is split into sections no wider than your post spacing. Sides that meet at a corner share the corner post. An open fence needs one extra post to finish the last section, and every gate splits a run and adds one post.
posts = sections + 1 + gates
sections = length of each side / post spacing, rounded up
Example: a straight 100 ft fence with posts every 8 ft has 13 sections and needs 14 posts.
Post length and depth
Posts are set one third of the fence height into the ground, with a minimum of 2 ft. The calculator then picks the shortest standard post that is long enough. A 6 ft fence uses 8 ft posts. An 8 ft fence is set about 3 ft deep and uses 12 ft posts.
Concrete
Concrete fills a round hole to the buried depth, minus the space taken by the post. One 50 lb bag of fast-setting concrete makes about 0.375 cubic feet.
bags per post = (hole volume − post volume) / 0.375
A 4x4 post in a 10 inch hole, 2 ft deep, needs about 2.5 bags. The calculator rounds the total for the whole fence up to whole bags, and adds one bag of gravel per hole for drainage.
Rails and pickets
Wood fences up to 4 ft tall get two rails per section, fences up to 6 ft get three, and taller fences get four. Pickets are counted from the total fence length and the width each board covers:
- Side-by-side privacy: a 1x6 picket covers 5.5 in, about 18 per 8 ft section.
- Board-on-board: boards overlap by about 1 in, so each covers 4.5 in, about 22 per section.
- Spaced picket fence: a 1x4 picket plus a 2.5 in gap covers 6 in, 16 per section.
The calculator adds 10 percent extra pickets by default for cuts and boards with defects. You can change this in the advanced settings.
Vinyl and chain link
Vinyl fences come in panels, so the post spacing equals the panel width, usually 8 ft. Chain link uses line posts about every 10 ft and heavier terminal posts at ends, corners and gates. The list includes the fittings that are easy to forget, such as tension bars, tension bands, brace bands, rail end cups, caps and ties.
What changes the price of a fence
- Material. Cedar and composite cost more than pressure treated pine. Vinyl costs more up front but needs little upkeep.
- Height. Taller fences need longer posts, deeper holes, an extra rail and longer pickets.
- Gates. A gate costs far more per foot than the fence around it.
- Layout. Many short sides and corners add posts.
- Site conditions. Rocky soil, roots and slopes add labor. Removing an old fence adds cost too.
- Permits and rules. Many towns and HOAs limit fence height and style and may require a permit. Always call 811 before you dig.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fence cost per foot?
With our default prices for a 150 ft fence with one gate, materials cost about $10 per foot for 4 ft chain link, $12 for 4 ft wood picket, $18 for 6 ft wood privacy, $20 for 6 ft board-on-board and $28 for 6 ft vinyl. Professional installation adds roughly $9 to $16 per foot.
How many posts do I need for a 100 foot fence?
With posts every 8 feet, a straight 100 ft fence has 13 sections and needs 14 posts. Each gate adds one more post, and each extra side adds the posts for its own sections.
How much concrete do I need per fence post?
A 4x4 post in a 10 inch hole set 2 feet deep needs about 2.5 bags of 50 lb fast-setting concrete. An 8 ft tall fence with posts set 3 feet deep needs about 3.7 bags per post.
How many pickets are in an 8 foot fence section?
About 18 side-by-side 1x6 pickets, about 22 for board-on-board, and 16 spaced 1x4 pickets with a 2.5 inch gap. Buy around 10 percent extra for cuts and bad boards.
How deep should fence posts be?
A common rule is one third of the above-ground height, and never less than 2 feet. A 6 ft fence needs posts set 2 feet deep, so you buy 8 ft posts. In cold climates, set posts below the local frost line.
Is it cheaper to build a fence yourself?
Usually yes. For a 150 ft, 6 ft wood privacy fence with one gate, our estimate is about $2,600 in materials if you build it yourself and about $4,700 with professional installation.
What does the estimate not include?
Tools, delivery, permits, removal of an old fence, stain or sealer, and extra work for slopes or rocky ground. Treat the total as a planning number and confirm prices with your supplier.