Guide
How Much Does a Fence Cost? Posts, Pickets & Panels
The material count behind a wood fence — posts, rails, pickets and concrete — and what moves the price.
Updated September 2026
Start with the run length and posts
Everything starts from the total length of fence and the post spacing. Posts usually sit 6 to 8 feet apart. A 100 ft fence at 8 ft spacing needs about 13 posts (runs + 1), or about 17 posts at 6 ft spacing — tighter spacing is sturdier but costs more.
Try it Fence Calculator → Count posts, rails, pickets and bags of concrete for a wood fence from its length and post spacing.Rails, pickets and concrete
Each section between posts gets 2 rails (3 for fences over 6 ft). Pickets are the vertical boards: divide the run (in inches) by the picket width plus any gap. A 100 ft privacy fence with 5.5-inch pickets butted tight needs roughly 218 pickets. Each post is set in about 1–2 bags of concrete.
- Set posts at least 2 feet deep (a third of the post is the classic rule), below the frost line where it freezes.
- Add ~10% on pickets for culls and trimming.
- Gates need heavier posts and hardware — budget them separately.
What drives the cost
Material choice is the biggest lever: pressure-treated pine is cheapest, cedar mid-range, vinyl and composite higher up front but lower maintenance. Height, picket style (spaced vs. full privacy) and terrain (slopes need stepping or racking) all move the total on top of the piece count our calculator gives you.
FAQ
How many posts for a 100 ft fence?
About 13 posts at 8 ft spacing or 17 at 6 ft (runs plus one). Closer spacing is sturdier but costs more.
How many pickets do I need?
Divide the run in inches by the picket width plus gap. A 100 ft privacy fence with 5.5-inch pickets butted tight is roughly 218 pickets before waste.
How deep should fence posts be?
At least 2 feet, or about a third of the post length — and below the frost line in cold climates.