Split Rail Fence Calculator
Rustic split rail fence — posts and rails only.
Split rail fences use no concrete and no pickets — just notched posts and rails tamped into earth. This calculator estimates posts, rails and labor.
Standard: 10 ft
2 or 3
Calculation Results
Planning estimate — actual quotes vary
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📌 Split rail uses no concrete — posts are tamped in earth.
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🛠️ How This Calculator Works
Counts sections and notched posts based on your spacing (typically 10 ft), then totals posts, rails and tamping labor.
📐 Formula
Sections = ⌈length / spacing⌉; Posts = sections + 1📝 Example Calculation
200 ft × 2-rail split rail, 10 ft spacing: Posts = 21; Rails = 40 Materials ≈ $1,200; Labor ≈ $1,200 Total ≈ $2,400 ($12/LF)
💡 Pro Tips from Fence Builders
- Choose locust or cedar for 30+ year life — pine rots in 8–10 years.
- 2-rail is decorative; 3-rail keeps livestock in.
- Add welded wire backing for dog or rabbit containment.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does split rail need concrete?
No — posts are tamped firmly into the earth with gravel for drainage. Concrete actually rots wood faster.
How long do split rail fences last?
8–10 years for pine, 20+ for cedar, 30+ for locust.
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