Outdoor Projects
Estimate individual fence pickets or boards for a straight run after subtracting gate openings and using the actual picket width and intended clear gap.
Change the defaults to match your project and the product you plan to buy.
Project result
See the net picketed run, base picket count, waste-adjusted target and optional bundle rounding.
Planning estimate only. Verify product coverage, package size, supplier specifications and project requirements before purchasing.
Choose the right tool
You are using individual pickets and know the actual picket face width and intended gap.
Use Fence Calculator for panel bays or Fence Post for post spacing.
Methodology
total fence run − gate openings
Only the run receiving pickets.
picket width + clear gap
One repeating picket-and-gap module.
run ÷ module, rounded up
Planning count before reserve.
base × allowance
Rounds to whole pickets/bundles.
Measure the fence run along the actual picket line and separately total gate or other open sections that will not receive standard pickets. Use the installed picket face width and the intended clear gap. For long runs, confirm how you will distribute any leftover fraction so the end bay does not receive an obviously different gap.
Wood movement, board quality, style, corner details and gate interfaces can change how many usable pickets you need. The calculator does not determine an appropriate privacy gap or wind-loading design; it simply turns the width and gap you enter into a quantity.
Reference
| Planning item | Starting point | Verify / adjust |
|---|---|---|
| Net fence run | run minus gates | Measure along picket line. |
| Picket width | actual face width | Nominal lumber size may differ. |
| Gap | entered layout value | Distribute small end adjustments. |
| Reserve | cuts/spares | Board quality can affect usable yield. |
Questions
Use the actual installed face width of the product.
No. Use Fence Post or Fence Calculator for post/panel planning.
Yes for the arithmetic, but actual material movement and installation requirements should be considered separately.
Planning guides
Outdoor Projects
Understand how actual picket width and a chosen clear gap control board count across a measured fence run.
Read guide →Estimate panel bays and posts from fence run, panel width and gate openings; use Fence Post Calculator when maximum post spacing is the main constraint.
Open calculator → Outdoor ProjectsEstimate fence post count and actual spacing from fence run, gate openings and maximum post spacing.
Open calculator → Outdoor ProjectsEstimate baluster count from net railing run, baluster width, entered clear gap and a spare allowance for purchasing.
Open calculator →