Question 1

How deep should fence posts be buried?

Accepted Answer

The general rule is to bury 1/3 of the total post length, with a minimum of 2 feet. For a 6-foot fence, use 8-foot posts with 2 feet buried. In frost-prone areas, posts should extend below the frost line to prevent heaving.

Question 2

What is standard fence post spacing?

Accepted Answer

Standard post spacing is 6 to 8 feet on center. Six feet is more sturdy and recommended for privacy fences or windy areas. Eight feet is common for general use and reduces post count and cost.

Question 3

How many rails do I need per section?

Accepted Answer

Fences under 5 feet tall typically need 2 horizontal rails. Fences 5-8 feet tall should have 3 rails for added strength. The top rail goes 6-8 inches from the top, the bottom rail 6-8 inches from the bottom.

Question 4

How many pickets are in a standard fence section?

Accepted Answer

With 3.5-inch pickets and no gap in an 8-foot section, you need about 28 pickets. With a 2-inch gap between pickets, you need about 18 per section. This calculator handles any combination of picket width and gap.

Fencing Calculator

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