How Many Pickets Do I Need for My Fence?
Fence picket count depends on your total fence length and the width of each picket plus its gap. A standard 1×4 (3.5-inch) dog-ear picket with a 1/4-inch gap means each picket covers 3.75 inches. That works out to about 3.2 pickets per linear foot, or roughly 320 pickets for every 100 feet of fence.
Quick Calculator
Posts
16
Concrete
32
Pickets
320
Rails
39
Est. Cost
$1,500–$2,500
Detailed Answer
Picket count depends on picket width + gap size.
Standard 1×4 dog-ear (3.5" wide) with 1/4" gap: 3.75" per picket → 3.2 pickets/ft → 320 pickets per 100 feet. 1×6 board (5.5" wide) with 1/4" gap: 5.75" per picket → 2.09 pickets/ft → 209 pickets per 100 feet. Decorative picket (3.5" wide) with 2.5" gap: 6" per picket → 2 pickets/ft → 200 pickets per 100 feet.
Always add 5–10% extra for waste, miscuts, and future repairs.
Recommended Materials
Pressure-Treated Fence Post 4×4×8
Ground-contact rated, ideal for all fence types.
$12 – $18
Cedar Dog-Ear Picket 1×6×6
Naturally rot-resistant, smooth on one side.
$3 – $6
Quikrete 60 lb Fast-Setting Concrete
Sets in 20-40 minutes. No mixing required.
$5 – $7
Post Hole Digger – Fiberglass Handle
Heavy-duty clamshell digger for clean holes.
$35 – $55
Simpson Strong-Tie Fence Bracket
Galvanized L-bracket for rail-to-post connections.
$4 – $8
Decorative Post Cap 4×4
Copper-top cap, fits standard 4×4 posts.
$5 – $12