Fence & Deck Material Calculator
Enter your project dimensions and get posts, rails, boards, and hardware counts — everything you need to buy.
Fence Estimate
Enter dimensions to see your results
How to Estimate Fence & Deck Materials
Fence materials:Start with the total linear footage. Divide by post spacing (typically 8 feet) and add 1 for the end post. Multiply sections by rails per section (2 for 4-foot fences, 3 for 6-foot and taller). For pickets, divide the fence length by the picket width (usually 5.5" or 6").
Post concrete: Each fence post needs a hole about 1/3 the post length deep and 3x the post width wide. Plan on 2 bags of 80-lb concrete per post.
Deck boards:Divide the deck width by the board width (5.5" for standard decking) to get the number of rows. Each row is the full deck length. Add 10% for waste.
Deck framing:Joists run perpendicular to the decking at 16" on center. Beams run the length of the deck, spaced every 6 feet of width. Posts support the beams every 6 feet.
Pro tip:Always check local building codes for required post depth, railing height (usually 36" residential, 42" commercial), and baluster spacing (max 4" gap).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fence posts do I need?
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Divide your total fence length by the post spacing (typically 8 feet), then add 1 for the end post. A 100-foot fence with 8-foot spacing needs 14 posts.
How many pickets do I need for a wood fence?
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Divide your fence length by the picket width. Standard pickets are 6 inches (0.5 ft) wide. A 100-foot fence needs about 200 pickets, plus 10% for waste.
How much does it cost to build a deck?
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Pressure-treated decks cost $15-$25 per sq ft for materials. Composite runs $20-$40/sq ft. Installed costs (with labor) typically double the material cost.
How many deck boards do I need?
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Divide the deck width by the board width (5.5 inches standard). Each board runs the full length of the deck. A 12-ft wide deck needs about 27 rows of boards, plus 10% waste.
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