How to use the fence calculator
Walk the fence line with a measuring wheel or tape and add up every run in feet — don't include the openings where gates will go if you count them separately. Pick the fence type, the height and how many gates you need. The calculator gives you the installed cost range for your state plus a material list for a DIY build.
Not sure of the length? A typical suburban backyard (around 0.2 acres) needs about 150–200 linear feet of fence to enclose the back and sides.
How fence materials are calculated
Posts = Sections + 1 + Gate posts
Rails = Sections × 3 (6 ft+) or × 2 (under 6 ft)
Privacy pickets = Length (in) ÷ 5.5 in picket width
Concrete = about 2 × 50 lb bags per post
Example: 150 feet at 8 ft spacing is 19 sections, which needs 20 line posts plus 1 extra for a gate. At 6 ft tall that means 57 rails and about 328 privacy pickets.
Fence cost per linear foot (2026)
| Fence type (6 ft) | Installed / ft | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link (4 ft) | $11–$24 | 15–20+ yrs |
| Wood picket (4 ft) | $14–$27 | 10–15 yrs |
| Pressure-treated wood privacy | $24–$42 | 15–20 yrs |
| Cedar privacy | $30–$52 | 15–25 yrs |
| Vinyl privacy | $30–$55 | 20–30 yrs |
| Aluminum ornamental | $34–$62 | 30+ yrs |
| Wrought iron / steel | $38–$80 | 50+ yrs |
| Composite | $45–$80 | 25–30 yrs |
Gates add $250–$650 for a walk gate and $600–$1,500 for a double drive gate, installed. Rocky soil, slopes, and removing an old fence all push the price up.
Before you build a fence
- Find your property line. Use your plat or survey — building on a neighbor's land is expensive to undo.
- Check HOA rules and permits. Many cities cap front-yard fences at 3–4 ft and backyard fences at 6 ft.
- Call 811 at least a few days before digging so underground utilities get marked for free.
- Set posts a third of their length deep (about 2 ft for a 6 ft fence), below your local frost line.
- Stain or seal a wood fence within the first year to double its life.
Fence cost by state
150 ft of 6 ft wood privacy fence with 1 gate — estimated cost by state. Figures use the same assumptions as the calculator above.
| State | Low | High | vs. US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| US average | $3,850 | $6,950 | — |
| Alabama | $3,350 | $6,047 | -13% |
| Alaska | $4,813 | $8,688 | +25% |
| Arizona | $3,696 | $6,672 | -4% |
| Arkansas | $3,311 | $5,977 | -14% |
| California | $4,697 | $8,479 | +22% |
| Colorado | $3,966 | $7,159 | +3% |
| Connecticut | $4,389 | $7,923 | +14% |
| Delaware | $4,004 | $7,228 | +4% |
| District of Columbia | $4,428 | $7,992 | +15% |
| Florida | $3,658 | $6,603 | -5% |
| Georgia | $3,504 | $6,325 | -9% |
| Hawaii | $5,082 | $9,174 | +32% |
| Idaho | $3,619 | $6,533 | -6% |
| Illinois | $4,235 | $7,645 | +10% |
| Indiana | $3,658 | $6,603 | -5% |
| Iowa | $3,658 | $6,603 | -5% |
| Kansas | $3,581 | $6,464 | -7% |
| Kentucky | $3,542 | $6,394 | -8% |
| Louisiana | $3,465 | $6,255 | -10% |
| Maine | $3,850 | $6,950 | 0% |
| Maryland | $3,927 | $7,089 | +2% |
| Massachusetts | $4,620 | $8,340 | +20% |
| Michigan | $3,850 | $6,950 | 0% |
| Minnesota | $4,120 | $7,437 | +7% |
| Mississippi | $3,234 | $5,838 | -16% |
| Missouri | $3,773 | $6,811 | -2% |
| Montana | $3,696 | $6,672 | -4% |
| Nebraska | $3,581 | $6,464 | -7% |
| Nevada | $4,004 | $7,228 | +4% |
| New Hampshire | $4,004 | $7,228 | +4% |
| New Jersey | $4,505 | $8,132 | +17% |
| New Mexico | $3,504 | $6,325 | -9% |
| New York | $4,620 | $8,340 | +20% |
| North Carolina | $3,427 | $6,186 | -11% |
| North Dakota | $3,696 | $6,672 | -4% |
| Ohio | $3,735 | $6,742 | -3% |
| Oklahoma | $3,388 | $6,116 | -12% |
| Oregon | $4,081 | $7,367 | +6% |
| Pennsylvania | $3,966 | $7,159 | +3% |
| Rhode Island | $4,235 | $7,645 | +10% |
| South Carolina | $3,388 | $6,116 | -12% |
| South Dakota | $3,465 | $6,255 | -10% |
| Tennessee | $3,465 | $6,255 | -10% |
| Texas | $3,542 | $6,394 | -8% |
| Utah | $3,696 | $6,672 | -4% |
| Vermont | $3,927 | $7,089 | +2% |
| Virginia | $3,696 | $6,672 | -4% |
| Washington | $4,235 | $7,645 | +10% |
| West Virginia | $3,504 | $6,325 | -9% |
| Wisconsin | $3,889 | $7,020 | +1% |
| Wyoming | $3,581 | $6,464 | -7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 150 ft privacy fence cost?
A 150 ft, 6 ft tall pressure-treated wood privacy fence typically costs about $3,600–$6,300 installed at the US average, plus $250–$650 per walk gate. Vinyl runs about $4,500–$8,300 for the same length.
How many fence posts do I need?
Divide the fence length by the post spacing (usually 8 ft), round up and add one. Then add an extra post for each gate. 100 ft of fence at 8 ft spacing needs 14 posts.
What is the cheapest type of fence?
Chain link is the cheapest at roughly $11–$24 per foot installed for a 4 ft fence. For privacy, pressure-treated wood is the lowest-cost option.
How many bags of concrete per fence post?
Plan on about two 50 lb bags of fast-setting concrete per 4×4 post for a 6 ft fence, and about one and a half bags for shorter fences. Larger holes and 6×6 posts need more.
Is vinyl fence better than wood?
Vinyl costs 20–30% more up front but needs almost no maintenance and lasts 20–30 years. Wood is cheaper and easier to repair but needs staining every few years.