Split Rail Fence Calculator — Rural & Farm Fencing
Estimate posts and split rails for a 2 or 3-rail country fence used on rural property lines, ranch perimeters, and historic residential lots.
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.
Split rail fence is the iconic rural-American boundary fence — mortise-and-tenon construction, no nails or screws, weathered cedar character. It's primarily decorative (won't contain pets or stop intruders) but ideal for marking property lines, lining driveways, and creating rustic garden enclosures.
This calculator counts posts and split rails for any straight run. The economics: ~$15-25 per LF in cedar materials, suitable for DIY installation in a single weekend for 100 LF.
How to Estimate a Split Rail Fence
Posts = ⌈Length ÷ 10⌉ + 1. Rails = (Posts - 1) × Rails per Section (2 or 3).
Split Rail Fence Reference
- 2-rail style: 36 inch tall, property line marker, ~$12-18/LF material.
- 3-rail style: 48 inch tall, full visual barrier, ~$15-25/LF.
- 4-rail style: 54 inch tall, horse paddock, ~$20-30/LF.
- Posts: mortised (line) or end (terminal). End posts cost more.
- Rails: 11 ft long with 6 inch overlap at each post.
- Concrete: optional. Many split rail installs use just compacted soil — posts have less lateral load than picket fences.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are split rail fences spaced?
10 ft on-center is the standard — rails are typically 11 ft long with 6 inches of overlap on each side at the post. Posts mortise to accept rail ends. Tighter 8 ft spacing is used on slopes or rough ground.
How many rails on a split rail fence?
2-rail (common for property markers, lighter applications) or 3-rail (most common, full visual barrier). 4-rail is rare and used for horse paddocks. 2-rail uses ~22 LF of rail per 10 ft section; 3-rail uses ~33 LF.
What material are split rail fences made of?
Traditional: split cedar, locust, or chestnut. Modern: pressure-treated pine or vinyl. Cedar lasts 15-20 years; locust is the longest-lasting wood (25-30 years) but rare. Vinyl mimics the look at 2× the cost.
Do I need a contractor for a split rail fence?
Split rail is the most DIY-friendly fence type — no painting, no panel alignment, posts use mortise joinery instead of brackets. A 100 ft fence is achievable in a weekend with two people.
How tall is a split rail fence?
3-rail fences are typically 48 inches tall (4 ft); 2-rail fences ~36 inches. Posts are 5-6 ft long (4-4.5 ft above grade + 1.5-2 ft buried).
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 →