Disclaimer

Estimates are for planning only. Actual material requirements, post depth, spacing, permits, frost depth, structural requirements, labour and prices vary by location and project. Verify local building codes, utility locations and manufacturer requirements before construction. This tool does not replace a contractor, an engineer or your local building department.

What that means in practice

Quantities

The material counts are as good as the measurements and assumptions you give them. If the run length is off, or the ground is not level, or the fence turns a corner the calculator was not told about, the answer will be off by the same amount. Measure the site, then check the assumptions under Advanced options before you order.

Post depth and frost

The default post depth is a common rule of thumb, not a requirement. The depth that actually matters where you live is governed by the local frost line and by local code, and it can be substantially deeper than the default. This site does not know your frost depth and does not guess at it. Check with your building department.

Permits, heights and boundaries

Many places limit fence height, and often differently for a front yard than a back one. Setback rules, boundary agreements, easements and homeowners' association rules may all apply. None of that is modelled here. Confirm it before you build, not after.

Utilities

Digging post holes without knowing what is buried is dangerous. In the United States, call 811 before you dig. It is free, and it is the single most important step this calculator cannot do for you.

Cost

Cost figures are national planning ranges compiled from published guides, shown with their sources and collection date. They are not quotes and not predictions. Regional variation is large, lumber prices move, and any individual contractor's price may sit well outside the range.

Structural work

Tall fences, fences on slopes, fences carrying wind load, and anything attached to a structure may need engineering input. This tool does not assess structural adequacy and cannot tell you whether a design is safe.