Picket Fence Calculator
Classic spaced-picket fence — typically 3–4 ft tall.
Spaced picket fences use 3.5" pickets with 2" gaps for the traditional look. This calculator estimates the full project cost.
3 or 4 ft
Calculation Results
Planning estimate — actual quotes vary
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🛠️ How This Calculator Works
A picket fence uses narrower pickets (3.5") spaced with a gap (typically 2"). The math is the same as a wood fence — just with the picket-fence picket size and gap.
📐 Formula
Picket count = (LF − gates) / (picket width + gap), rounded up + waste📝 Example Calculation
100 ft × 4 ft picket, 8 ft spacing, 1 gate, $12/LF labor: Materials ≈ $900; Labor ≈ $1,200 Total ≈ $2,100 ($21/LF)
💡 Pro Tips from Fence Builders
- Pre-paint pickets white before installing — easier than brushing each one in place.
- Round, French gothic and dog-ear are the three classic picket tops.
- Use a string line and spacer block to keep pickets perfectly even.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is a picket fence?
A short (3–4 ft) decorative fence with vertical pickets spaced about 2 inches apart — the classic American front-yard fence.
How tall is a typical picket fence?
3 to 4 feet — meant to define a yard, not block views.
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Laying out the pickets? The picket spacing calculator gives the exact equal gap and the on-centre mark for each picket.