A phone-first fence planner that stays with you from the tape measure to the lumber aisle.
Your fence layout
Add each straight run in order. Then tell FenceKit how each run connects to the next one so shared corner posts are counted once.
Why connections matter: If Run 1 and Run 2 meet at one physical corner, FenceKit now counts that shared corner post once—not once for each run. Choose “Starts separately” only when the next run begins somewhere else.
Gates
Add each clear gate opening. FenceKit removes these openings from picket coverage and adds one structural boundary post per gate inserted within a run.
Gate fit: Enter the intended clear opening, then verify the actual rough-opening/post requirements supplied with your gate and hardware before setting posts.
Fence setup
Fence details, assumptions & prices
Default: 0%. Add an allowance only if you want extra material for cuts, defects, mistakes or spares. This percentage adds optional extras to pickets and rails only. Structural posts are kept at the calculated layout quantity rather than automatically padded. Concrete is calculated separately. Using 10% means FenceKit will intentionally add 10% more pickets and rail pieces for cuts, defects, mistakes or spares.
Why concrete is editable: footing requirements vary with hole size/depth, soil, post size, frost line, local rules and the product used. FenceKit won't pretend one number is universal.
Your fence plan
Planning estimate for a component-built wood fence.
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POSTS
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PICKETS
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RAIL SPANS / PIECES*
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CONCRETE BAGS
Estimated materials
$0
How FenceKit calculated this
Accuracy check: Post spacing is treated as a maximum: FenceKit rounds each run up to enough sections that no span exceeds your selected spacing. Gate openings are removed from picket coverage. Optional extra-material allowance does not inflate structural post count.
Verify before purchasing: local permits/setbacks/property lines; underground utilities; footing/frost requirements; gate rough openings; and the actual dimensions/lengths of your selected materials. Preassembled panels, vinyl, chain-link, shadowbox and specialty systems need different calculations.
Your fence plan changed. FenceKit refreshed the core In Cart quantities to match the latest calculation. Your shelf prices and custom shopping items were kept.
Shopping Mode
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Original estimate$0
Actual cart$0
Need comes from your current FenceKit plan. Core In cart quantities are refreshed to match that plan when you enter Shopping Mode, so an old project cannot leave stale quantities here. Adjust them manually if the store pack size or what you actually buy differs. Shelf prices and custom items stay saved on this device.
Add something FenceKit missed
FenceKit is a planning estimator, not structural, engineering, surveying or code advice. Your project is stored locally in this browser; no account is required.
FenceKit Guide
Tips & things to know before buying
FenceKit explains its assumptions instead of hiding them. These notes can prevent a small measurement or layout misunderstanding from becoming an expensive shopping mistake.
📏 Measuring your fence
Measure along the intended fence line and enter each straight run separately. A direction change normally starts a new run. Record gate openings separately rather than treating them as picket-covered fence.
🚩 Where your fence starts & ends
For an open fence, choose Starts with a post and Ends with a post unless an endpoint truly attaches to an existing structure. If the final run returns to the physical starting point, choose Connects back to start; FenceKit then counts that closing post only once.
📐 Corners & shared posts — important
Two connected runs can share the same physical corner post. FenceKit now asks how adjacent runs connect. Choose Turns at same post when two consecutive runs meet at one physical corner; that post is counted once. Choose Continues straight when the runs are really consecutive measurements on the same straight fence line, or Starts separately when the next run starts elsewhere.
🚪 Gates & openings
Enter the clear opening occupied by gates so FenceKit does not calculate pickets across that space. Gate post placement, rough opening, hinges and latch requirements depend on the gate/hardware you select, so verify the manufacturer's instructions before setting posts.
🪵 Pickets, spacing & rails
Use the actual picket width, not just the nominal product name. FenceKit divides covered fence length by picket width + desired gap. Rail output represents required rail spans/pieces; the number of retail boards can differ if longer boards span multiple posts or are cut into shorter pieces.
🕳️ Posts, holes & concrete
FenceKit intentionally lets you enter concrete bags per post because there is no responsible universal value. Hole diameter/depth, post size, soil, frost conditions, local requirements and concrete product yield can all change the amount needed.
➕ Optional extra material
The default extra-material allowance is 0%. Add a percentage only if you want spare pickets/rail material for cuts, defects, mistakes or replacements. FenceKit does not automatically pad structural post quantity with this allowance.
📍 Before you dig
Confirm the property line, easements/setbacks and permit requirements. Have underground utilities located before digging. Verify local footing/frost requirements and any manufacturer instructions relevant to your materials.
🧮 How FenceKit calculates
Post spacing is treated as a maximum: each run is rounded up to enough sections that no calculated span exceeds it. Connected adjacent runs share their physical endpoint post, and structure endpoints can explicitly replace a freestanding fence post. Gate openings are removed from picket coverage. Pickets use actual width + gap. Concrete uses calculated posts × your bags-per-post value. The Results screen shows the arithmetic for your project.
⚠️ What FenceKit doesn't know
FenceKit is a planning estimator, not a survey, structural design or local code determination. This version models connected/disconnected straight runs, shared corners, structure endpoints and gate openings for component-built wood fences with posts, horizontal rails and individual pickets. It is not intended for preassembled panels, vinyl, chain-link, shadowbox/board-on-board or specialty systems.
Free wood fence material calculator
FenceKit helps you turn a measured fence layout into a planning estimate for posts, pickets, rail spans, concrete and material cost. Add straight runs in order, describe how they connect, add gate openings, then take the generated list into Shopping Mode.
What FenceKit calculates
Post spacing, shared corner posts, straight measurement breaks, open or closed layouts, picket coverage, rail spans, optional extra material, concrete based on your bags-per-post assumption, and estimated cost.
Before you build
Treat the result as a planning estimate. Verify property lines, permits and setbacks, underground utilities, post depth and footing requirements, actual lumber dimensions, gate manufacturer requirements, and local conditions before purchase or construction.
Fence calculator FAQ
How many fence posts do I need?
FenceKit divides each structural fence span by your maximum post spacing and rounds up to whole sections, then counts the required endpoints while accounting for shared corners, closed loops and selected structural attachments.
Does FenceKit add extra material automatically?
No. The optional extra-material allowance defaults to 0%. If you choose an allowance, it applies to pickets and rail material rather than silently adding structural posts.
Can I use FenceKit for gates?
Yes for planning, but exact gate position is not modeled. Verify gate-post placement, opening dimensions, hardware and manufacturer instructions before buying or building.