Wood Fence Board & Post Calculator

For 1x6 boards (5.5" wide) in a tight privacy fence, you need about 2.2 boards per linear foot. For 1x4 boards (3.5" wide), you need about 3.4 boards per foot. Board-on-board style requires roughly 3 boards per foot with standard overlap.

Standard fence post spacing is 6 to 8 feet on center. The most common is 8 feet because lumber comes in 8ft and 16ft lengths. For high-wind areas or taller fences (8ft), use 6-foot spacing for added strength.

Fence posts should be buried at least 1/3 of their total length. For a 6-foot fence, use 8-foot posts buried 24 inches deep. In cold climates, posts should extend below the frost line, typically 36-48 inches deep.