Privacy Fence Calculator — Pickets, Posts & Rails
Calculate pickets, posts, and rails for a 6 ft or 8 ft privacy fence. Supports butted and shadowbox layouts for cedar, PT pine, or redwood pickets.
Enter Dimensions
Standard dog-ear picket: 3.5 in
Privacy fence: 0 in · Standard: 0.5 in
Results
Fence Posts
14posts
Rails
26rails
Pickets
330pickets
Sections
13sections
Each section = 8 ft wide
Editorial Standards
Each calculator is reviewed for formula accuracy, unit consistency, and alignment with current U.S. building practices before publication. We verify outputs against published engineering references and real-world project data. Learn more about our methodology.
A privacy fence's job is simple — block the line of sight from neighboring properties or the street. The materials are interchangeable (cedar, redwood, pressure-treated pine, vinyl), but the geometry is what defines true privacy: tight picket spacing and sufficient height.
Use this calculator to estimate pickets, posts, and rails for any 6 ft or 8 ft privacy fence. Pair it with the Wood Fence Calculator or Vinyl Fence Calculator for material-specific guidance.
How to Estimate a Privacy Fence
Picket count = (Length × 12 ÷ picket width) × (1 + waste %). Post count = ⌈Length ÷ Spacing⌉ + 1. Rails = 2 per section for 6 ft, 3 per section for 8 ft.
Privacy-Fence Layout Reference
- Butted picket: 2.18 pickets/ft. Cheapest. Gaps develop within a season — order 10–15% extra for replacement.
- Shadowbox: 4.36 pickets/ft (2x material). Alternating pickets on both sides of the rails. Better wind transfer.
- Board-on-board: ~3.3 pickets/ft. Same side as butted, with second layer covering each gap. Maintains privacy as wood shrinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard height for a privacy fence?
6 ft is the most common residential privacy fence height in the U.S. — sufficient to block sightlines from standing adults. 8 ft fences (where allowed) add more isolation; 4 ft 'pet' fences provide only visual screening.
Are butted pickets really fully private?
Butted (board-to-board) pickets shrink and gap as wood dries — expect 1/4″ to 1/2″ gaps after the first dry season. Shadowbox or board-on-board layouts maintain privacy even after wood movement.
How much does a privacy fence cost per linear foot?
Materials: $12–$25 per linear foot for 6 ft cedar; $20–$35 per linear foot for vinyl. Add $20–$40 per linear foot for installation labor in most U.S. markets.
Do I need a permit for a privacy fence?
Most municipalities require a permit for fences over 6 ft tall, fences in front-yard setbacks, or fences in HOA-managed neighborhoods. Always check local zoning before purchasing material.
How many pickets per linear foot of privacy fence?
At standard 5-1/2 inch picket width butted tight: 12 in/ft ÷ 5.5 in = 2.18 pickets per linear foot. Order 2.4 per linear foot to cover 10% waste.
Looking for the general calculator?
Calculate fence posts, rails, and pickets for any wood, vinyl, or chain-link fence. Enter total run length and spacing for an instant material takeoff.
Open the Fence Calculator: Posts, Rails & Pickets →