Fence Picket Calculator: Spacing and Count
Exact gap, picket count per section, and a full-fence material list
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- 96" section
- 14 pickets
- 3-5/8" gap
Cut list: Fence Picket Calculator: Spacing and Count
- Pickets in this section14 pickets
- Gap between pickets3-5/8" (3.615")
- Number of gaps13
- Spacer blockRip a scrap to 3-5/8"
- Pickets per foot1.75
- Buy (10% spare)16 pickets
- Picket cost$56.00
- [ ] 3-1/2" fence pickets
- [ ] Exterior deck screws, 1-5/8"
- [ ] Spacer stock
- [ ] Straight 1x4 or 2x4 guide board
- [ ] Exterior wood sealer or stain
Show the math
N = floor((L + g) / (w + g)) = floor((96" + 3-5/8") / (3-1/2" + gap)) = 14 pickets. Actual gap = (L - N x w) / (N - 1) = (96" - 14 x 3-1/2") / 13 = 3-5/8".
Printable picket layout
Marks are the left edge of each picket, measured from the post face. Spacer block: 3-5/8". Pitch: 7-1/8".
- 1. 0"
- 2. 7-1/8"
- 3. 14-1/4"
- 4. 21-3/8"
- 5. 28-7/16"
- 6. 35-9/16"
- 7. 42-11/16"
- 8. 49-13/16"
- 9. 56-15/16"
- 10. 64-1/16"
- 11. 71-1/8"
- 12. 78-1/4"
- 13. 85-3/8"
- 14. 92-1/2"
Need posts, rails, concrete and cost for the whole job? The fence materials calculator handles runs, corners and gates. Deck railings use the same equal-spacing math as balusters.
Open in designer to lay this out as a whole fence.
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Picket fence section, 8.0 ft
14 pickets at 3-1/2" wide with an even 3-5/8" gap across a 96" section. Includes a spacer jig so every gap matches, 2 spare pickets for culls, and a fastener count for 2 rails.
- Materials
- $78
- Time
- 1 afternoon
- Level
- Easy
- 1
Check posts and rails
Confirm the posts are plumb and the 2 rails are solid and level across the 96" opening. Pickets only look even if the frame is straight.
- Push on each post; reset or brace any that move
- Replace cracked or rotted rails
- Measure the opening at the top and bottom rail
- 2
Make a 3-5/8" spacer jig
Rip a scrap to 3-5/8" wide and about 12" long. Screw a small cleat to the top so it hangs on the rail between pickets while you fasten.
- Rip the spacer and test it against the gap math
- Add a hanging cleat
- Label it so it doesn't get cut up
- 3
Set a top line
Run a string line or clamp a straight board across the posts at the finished picket height so every top lands on the same line.
- Decide picket height above grade (usually 2" clearance)
- Level the string or guide board
- Mark the height on both posts
- Section
- 96"
- Pickets
- 14
- Gap
- 3-5/8"
- Est. cost
- $78
7 steps · 8 tools · 5 materials
4 more steps, the full tool list and a shopping list you can check off as you go.
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3/5Picket fence section, 8.0 ft
Finished in 1 afternoon · $78 DIY
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How many pickets per 8 foot section
| Picket width | No gap | 1/4" gap | 1/2" gap | 1" gap | 2" gap | 3-1/2" gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-1/2" | 28 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 14 |
| 5-1/2" | 18 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 11 |
| 7-1/4" | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
| Picket width | Gap | 6 ft section | Per foot | Per 100 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-1/2" | None | 21 | 3.43 | 350 |
| 3-1/2" | 1/4" | 19 | 3.20 | 313 |
| 3-1/2" | 2-1/2" | 12 | 2.00 | 200 |
| 5-1/2" | None | 14 | 2.18 | 225 |
| 5-1/2" | 1/4" | 12 | 2.09 | 200 |
| 5-1/2" | 2-1/2" | 9 | 1.50 | 150 |
| 7-1/4" | None | 10 | 1.66 | 175 |
| 7-1/4" | 1/4" | 9 | 1.60 | 150 |
| 7-1/4" | 2-1/2" | 7 | 1.23 | 125 |
How to calculate picket spacing
With N pickets of width w in an opening L and a target gap g: N = floor((L + g) / (w + g)), then the actual gap = (L - N x w) / (N - 1). The first and last pickets sit tight to the posts, so there is one fewer gap than pickets.
- Measure the opening. Measure between the post faces at the top and bottom rail and use the smaller number, for example 92-1/2 in.
- Divide by picket plus gap. Add one gap to the opening and divide by the picket width plus the gap. Round down: (92.5 + 0.25) / (5.5 + 0.25) = 16.1, so 16 pickets.
- Work out the real gap. Subtract the pickets from the opening and divide by the number of gaps: (92.5 - 16 x 5.5) / 15 = 0.30 in, about 5/16 in.
- Cut a spacer block. Rip a scrap to the gap and add a cleat so it hangs on the rail. Mark the picket positions on the rails from the printable layout.
- Hang and check. Fasten the first picket plumb, then use the spacer for the rest, checking plumb every fourth picket and correcting over the next few gaps.
Board-on-board picket calculator
The front layer is spaced so each gap is a picket width minus two overlaps; the back layer covers each gap. With 1.5 in overlap on each side:
| Picket | Section | Front | Back | Total | Front gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-1/2" | 6 ft | 18 | 17 | 35 | 1/2" |
| 3-1/2" | 8 ft | 24 | 23 | 47 | 1/2" |
| 5-1/2" | 6 ft | 9 | 8 | 17 | 2-13/16" |
| 5-1/2" | 8 ft | 12 | 11 | 23 | 2-3/4" |
Shadow box uses the same count with the layers on opposite sides of the rails.
Fence post spacing
| Fence | Post spacing (on center) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 6 ft privacy, windy site or soft soil | 6 ft | Solid fences catch wind like a sail |
| 6 ft privacy, normal site | 8 ft | Matches 8 ft rails with no waste |
| 4 ft spaced picket | 8 ft | Light, wind passes through |
| Split rail | 10 ft | Rails come 10 ft long |
| Vinyl or panel | Panel width | Usually 6 or 8 ft; set posts as you go |
Count posts, rails and concrete for the whole run with the fence calculator; post holes and footings are in the concrete footing calculator. The fence building cheat sheet covers setting posts and hanging gates.
Printable picket layout
The calculator lists the left edge of every picket measured from the post face, to the nearest 1/16 in or 0.5 mm, plus the spacer block size. Print it, tape it to a post, and mark the rails before you fasten: an even layout across a section hides small post spacing errors.
Fence picket spacing FAQ
How many pickets per 8 foot section?
How many fence pickets do I need for 100 feet?
How many pickets per foot?
How many fence pickets come in a bundle or on a pallet?
What is the standard gap between fence pickets?
Do fence pickets shrink?
5/8 in or 3/4 in pickets?
How many dog ear pickets for an 8 ft section?
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