How Much Fence for a 40×80 Yard?
A 40 by 80 foot yard (3,200 sq ft) needs 240 feet of fence to enclose all four sides, or 200 feet if your house covers one 40-foot side.
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Posts
28
Concrete
56
Pickets
640
Rails
75
Est. Cost
$3,000–$5,000
Fence Footage for a 40×80 Yard
The perimeter of a rectangle is 2 × (width + depth). For 40 × 80, that is 2 × 120 = 240 feet. Most backyard fences only run three sides because the house closes off the fourth: one 40-foot back line plus two 80-foot sides, or 200 feet. If your fence returns to the house partway along the side, measure that actual run instead.
For a wood privacy fence on three sides you'd buy about 28 posts, 56 bags of concrete, 75 rails, and 640 pickets. Enclosing all four sides raises that to 33 posts and 768 pickets.
Cost to Fence a 40×80 Yard by Type
| Fence type | Posts (3 sides) | 3 sides (200 ft) | 4 sides (240 ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood Privacy | 28 | $3,000–$5,000 | $3,600–$6,000 |
| Vinyl | 28 | $4,000–$7,000 | $4,800–$8,400 |
| Chain Link | 23 | $1,600–$3,000 | $1,920–$3,600 |
| Picket | 28 | $2,000–$3,600 | $2,400–$4,320 |
| Split Rail | 28 | $2,000–$3,600 | $2,400–$4,320 |
Material estimates with one walk gate. Professional installation typically adds $5–$15 per foot.
Other Yard Sizes
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