Pickets are the part of a fence you buy the most of, so a small mistake costs real money. This tool counts them for you and also tells you the exact gap that makes the last picket fit perfectly.
Your shopping list
How to use the Fence Picket Calculator
- Enter the length of fence that needs pickets. Do not count gate openings.
- Enter the picket width and the gap you want between them.
- Read the total, plus how many pickets fit in one section.
- Check “gap for even spacing”. Use it if you want the last picket to land exactly at the end.
The math behind it
A worked example
What we typed in
- Length of fence to cover: 60 ft
- Picket width: 3.5 in
- Gap you want between pickets: 1.5 in
- Section width, post to post: 6 ft
- Extra for mistakes and bad boards: 10 %
What we got
- Pickets to buy: 159
- Pickets per section: 15
- Pickets per foot: 2.4
- Pickets, no extra: 144
- Pickets that fit exactly: 144
- Gap for even spacing: 1.51 in
Tips from the job site
- Real board widths are smaller than the name. A 1×6 is 5.5 in, and a 1×4 is 3.5 in.
- Wood shrinks as it dries. Many builders set the gap a little tighter than they want.
- Space the pickets with a scrap block so every gap matches.
Common questions
How many pickets are in one 8 foot section?
With 5.5 in boards and no gap you need 18. Add one or two if you want spares.
What gap looks best?
Use 0 for privacy, about 1/2 in for a classic look, and 1 to 3 in for a decorative fence.
Why is the even gap different from my gap?
Boards rarely fit the length perfectly. The even gap spreads the leftover space so the last picket ends right on the post.
Do I need extra pickets?
Yes. Plan for 5 to 10 percent for bad boards and mistakes.
How to use the picket count
For a 60 ft run with 3.5 in pickets and a 1.5 in gap, the base estimate is 144 pickets. With 10% extra, round 158.4 up to 159 to buy. Measure the clear width of each bay between posts and check the spacing per bay before ordering.
Last checked: (worked example and recalculation).