Fence Cost Calculator (Fence Cost Estimator)
Enter the fence length, type and your local prices to get the materials list and the total cost of the job.
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This fence cost estimator works out the total price of a fence from its length, layout, and the unit prices you type in. It also gives the cost per foot or per metre, so you can check a contractor quote against your own estimate. It runs in your browser, is free, and needs no sign-up.
The tool covers wood picket, wood privacy, vinyl/PVC, chain link, metal/aluminum, and other fence types. From your layout, it counts posts, sections or panels, rails, pickets or boards, gates, and concrete bags. It then adds labour, old-fence removal, and sales tax if you enter them. The result updates as you type. The prices in the form are examples, so enter your local quotes for a realistic figure.
How to use the Fence Cost Estimator
- Choose a Fence type. This only decides which material lines are used. You still type every price yourself.
- Enter the Total fence length along the fence line, including gates, from post centre to post centre.
- Set Per-length prices are per to foot or metre, matching the units of your prices.
- Set the layout. Enter the Number of corners and the Shape of the fence (Open or Closed loop). For separate runs, type each length in More runs, separated by commas, spaces or new lines. When you use More runs, the corners are ignored.
- Enter the Number of gates and the Gate width.
- Enter the Maximum post spacing, then the Picket / board width, Gap between pickets, and Rails per section where they apply. Add a Fence height (optional) if you want the fence area.
- Type your unit prices: Price per post, Price per panel / section, Price of fencing per foot or metre, Price per picket / board, Price per rail, Price per gate, and Price per bag of concrete. Set Concrete bags per post from the bag maker’s yield chart.
- Add any optional costs: Hardware per section, Labour per foot or metre, Removal / haul-away, and Sales tax (%) with Tax applies to. Some fields are under More options.
- Read the Total cost, Cost per foot, and Cost per metre, then check the breakdown lines and the “How it was calculated” list.
How is the total fence cost calculated?
The total cost is materials plus labour plus extras plus sales tax. Materials include posts, panels or pickets and rails, gates, concrete, and hardware. Labour is charged per foot or metre on the whole fence length, gates included. Removal is one flat amount, and sales tax applies either to materials only or to materials, labour and removal, depending on the Tax applies to setting.
Cost per foot or metre is the total cost divided by the fence length. Contractors usually quote this figure, so it is the easiest way to compare a quote with your estimate. A missing unit price counts as 0, so the tool warns you when a price is blank.
How many posts and sections does a fence need?
Sections equal the fencing length divided by the maximum post spacing, rounded up. The fencing length excludes gates, because each gate takes its width out of the fence length. A straight run needs one more post than it has sections, and corners and gate posts are added on top.
For example, a 100 ft straight fence with 8 ft spacing and no gates has 100 ÷ 8 = 12.5, which rounds up to 13 sections and 14 posts. A closed loop uses one side per corner, while an open fence with one length uses corners + 1 sides. Concrete bags equal posts multiplied by bags per post. If a gate is wider than the maximum post spacing, the tool shows a warning, and you should check that the gate posts and hinges are rated for that width.
Can I use it as a fence installation cost calculator?
It works as a fence installation cost calculator for any fence type: add a labor price per foot for installation, or leave it blank for a do-it-yourself materials estimate. For chain link (also called cyclone fence), the chain link fence installation cost calculator steps are the same, and the chain link fence calculator lists every fitting.
Sources
- Prices are always your own; the tool contains no market prices.
- American Softwood Lumber Standard PS 20 (NIST) — dressed sizes of nominal lumber (4×4 = 3½ × 3½ in, 2×2 = 1½ × 1½ in, 1×6 ≈ 5½ in wide).
- QUIKRETE Concrete Mix No. 1101 data sheet — bag yields 0.30 / 0.375 / 0.45 / 0.60 ft³ for 40 / 50 / 60 / 80 lb (checked October 2026).
- Unit factors are exact NIST values (SP 811, Appendix B).
Worked examples
| Input | Result |
|---|---|
| Wood picket, 100 ft, 1 gate(s) | 14 posts, 12 sections, total $1,216.00 ($12.16 per foot) |
| Vinyl / PVC panel, 60 ft, 0 gate(s) | 9 posts, 8 sections, total $830.00 ($13.83 per foot) |
| Chain link, 40 m, 2 gate(s) | 19 posts, 16 sections, total $783.40 ($5.97 per foot) |
| Wood picket, 100 ft, 0 gate(s) | 17 posts, 16 sections, total $2,369.44 ($23.69 per foot) |
| Metal / aluminum panel, 30, 20, 30, 20 ft, 0 gate(s) | 11 posts, 10 sections, total $1,020.00 ($10.20 per foot) |
Calculated by the tool above with these values.
Frequently asked questions
Is this fence cost estimator free to use?
Yes. It is free, requires no sign-up, and runs in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded.
Why does an item show a cost of 0?
The price for that item is blank, so the tool counts it at 0 in the total. Type the unit price to include it. The warning will name the item that is missing a price.
Are the example prices real local prices?
No. The example prices only show how the form works. Use your own local store or contractor quotes for an accurate estimate.
Does a result mean my fence meets building code?
No. Results are estimates for planning and ordering. Local building codes and the manufacturer’s instructions decide post depth, spacing, railing height, and openings. Check your town’s permit requirements and height limits before you order.
What should I compare across contractor quotes?
Get at least two or three written quotes and check that each one includes the same items. These are removal of the old fence, concrete, gates and hardware, cleanup, and who pays for and gets the permit.
Do I need to call before digging post holes?
Yes. Call 811 in the US, or your local utility locating service, before you dig. This checks for buried utility lines.
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- Fence post concrete calculator — concrete bags per post hole.
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