How Many Fence Pickets for 100 Feet? Board Count by Spacing and Width
For a standard 100-foot wood privacy fence with 3.5-inch wide pickets at 0-inch gap (butted together): you need approximately 343 pickets. With a 0.5-inch gap between pickets: 295 pickets. The exact count depends on your picket width, gap spacing, and whether you account for corner and gate posts that reduce linear fence run. This guide covers how many fence pickets for 100 feet across all common picket and gap combinations, plus the lumber overage you should always order.
Showing up at the lumber yard and saying “I need pickets for 100 feet of fence” without knowing your exact count is how you end up making two trips. A fence picket calculation takes two minutes if you have the right formula, and it saves a trip back for that last 20-board shortage. This guide gives you the table, the formula, the waste factor, and how to account for corners, gates, and uneven terrain.
The fence calculator gives you the complete material list for any fence run: posts, rails, pickets, concrete, and hardware.
Open the Fence Calculator →Fence Picket Count for 100 Linear Feet by Width and Gap
| Picket width (actual) | No gap (butted) | 0.25-inch gap | 0.5-inch gap | 1-inch gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.25 inch (4-in nominal) | 370 | 346 | 323 | 286 |
| 3.5 inch (4-in nominal cedar) | 343 | 321 | 300 | 267 |
| 5.25 inch (6-in nominal) | 229 | 219 | 210 | 192 |
| 5.5 inch (6-in nominal cedar) | 218 | 209 | 200 | 184 |
| 7.25 inch (8-in nominal) | 166 | 160 | 154 | 144 |
These numbers assume pure linear fence run with no interruptions. Subtract one picket per gate post and adjust for corners. For a 100-foot run with two gate openings (two 4-foot gates = 8 feet of fence replaced by gates), recalculate for 92 linear feet. For how many fence pickets for 100 feet specifically, the 5.5-inch wide cedar picket at 0-inch gap (218 pickets) is the most common US residential privacy fence configuration. For the cost of the full fence installation including posts, rails, and hardware, our companion guide on chain link fence cost per foot shows how wood fencing compares on an installed cost basis.
The Fence Picket Calculation Formula
The formula for how many fence pickets for any length is: Number of pickets = Fence length in inches / (Picket width + Gap). Then round up to the nearest whole number.
Example for 100 feet with 5.5-inch pickets and 0.5-inch gap: 1,200 inches / (5.5 + 0.5) = 1,200 / 6.0 = 200 pickets. Add 10 percent waste: 220 pickets. Always round up, never down. This formula works for any length. For 150 feet with the same picket: 1,800 / 6.0 = 300 pickets. For 200 feet: 400 pickets. Scale linearly.
Posts, Rails, and Other Materials
| Material | Quantity (100 linear ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4x4x8 fence posts | 14 to 15 posts | One post per 8 ft + corners |
| 2x4x8 horizontal rails | 26 to 28 rails | Two rails per span (top and bottom) |
| Pickets (5.5 in, 6 ft tall) | 218 to 240 pickets | Includes 10% waste at 0-inch gap |
| Concrete (80-lb bags) | 30 to 45 bags | 2 to 3 bags per post hole |
| Screws or nails (lbs) | 5 to 7 lbs | 1.5-inch exterior screws |
Lumber Buying Tips and Waste Factor
Always add 10 percent to your picket count for waste, cuts, defective boards, and future repairs. For 218 pickets needed at zero gap, order 240. Cedar fence pickets from a lumber yard versus a big-box store can vary by $0.50 to $1.50 per picket, which adds up to $100 to $300 on a 200-picket order. Call local lumber yards and compare. Also check whether the pickets are kiln-dried: green lumber pickets shrink as they dry after installation, which can open gaps wider than intended in your final fence.
Three Real Fence Picket Projects
Example 1: Backyard privacy fence in Houston, Texas
A homeowner fencing a 200-foot rectangular backyard with 5.5-inch cedar pickets at a 0.25-inch gap, 6-foot height. Calculation: 2,400 inches / (5.5 + 0.25) = 417 pickets. Plus 10 percent: 459 pickets ordered. Posts: 26. Rails: 52. Concrete: 78 bags. Cedar picket price in Houston lumber yards: $2.85 each. Picket lumber cost: $1,308. Rails and posts: $680. Concrete: $210. Total materials: $2,198. Installed by two friends over two weekends. Professional installation would have added $3,000 to $5,000 in labor.
Example 2: Side-yard fence in Portland, Oregon
A homeowner fencing a 65-foot side yard with 3.5-inch cedar pickets at 0.5-inch gap for a slightly more open look. Calculation: 780 / (3.5 + 0.5) = 195 pickets. Plus 10 percent: 215 pickets. At $2.40 each: $516 in pickets. Rails and posts for 65 feet: $380. Total materials: $896. Portland weather required pressure-treated posts even with cedar pickets, because post rot at grade is accelerated by the wet Pacific Northwest climate.
Example 3: Decorative picket fence in Columbus, Ohio
A homeowner installing a decorative 3-foot tall front yard picket fence using 3.25-inch wide dog-ear pickets at a 1-inch gap for a more traditional open look. For 120 linear feet: 1,440 / (3.25 + 1.0) = 339 pickets. Plus 10 percent: 373 pickets. At $1.95 each (3-foot pickets are cheaper than 6-foot): $728. Rails and posts for 120 feet: $320. Total materials: $1,048. The open gap style used 15 percent fewer pickets than a closed privacy fence at the same width, saving about $120 in lumber.
The fence calculator covers posts, rails, pickets, concrete, and hardware for any fence run. Enter length and get a full materials list.
Calculate Full Fence Materials →Frequently Asked Questions About Fence Pickets
How many fence pickets do I need for 100 feet?
The number of fence pickets for 100 feet depends on picket width and gap: standard 5.5-inch cedar at 0-inch gap needs 218 pickets; at 0.5-inch gap, 200 pickets. With 3.5-inch pickets at 0-inch gap: 343 pickets. Always add 10 percent for waste, defects, and future repairs. Use the formula: 1,200 inches (100 feet) divided by (picket width plus gap) = picket count.
How far apart should fence pickets be spaced?
Standard privacy fence pickets are butted together (zero gap) or spaced 0.25 to 0.5 inches apart. This spacing provides full privacy while allowing minor air movement. Semi-private fences use 1- to 2-inch gaps. Decorative picket fences use 2 to 4-inch gaps depending on picket width. For children and pet containment, zero-gap or 0.25-inch gap is standard to prevent small animals from squeezing through.
What is the standard fence picket size?
The most common residential privacy fence picket is a 6-foot-tall, 5.5-inch-wide (nominal 6-inch) dog-ear or Gothic-top cedar or pressure-treated pine picket. For decorative yard fences, 3-foot-tall by 3.5-inch-wide pickets are common. Actual dimensions are always 0.25 to 0.5 inches less than nominal due to milling. Always use actual dimensions in your calculation, not nominal.
How many fence posts do I need for 100 feet?
At standard 8-foot post spacing, 100 linear feet needs 13 spans plus one end post = 14 posts. Add one post for each corner and one post on each side of each gate opening. A 100-foot run with two corners and one 4-foot gate needs approximately 17 posts. Posts should be set in concrete at one-third their length underground (a 4x4x8 post goes 2.5 to 3 feet into the ground).
Is cedar or pressure-treated pine better for fence pickets?
Cedar is naturally rot-resistant, lighter weight, holds stain well, and is less prone to warping than pressure-treated pine. It costs 20 to 40 percent more. Pressure-treated pine is more readily available, cheaper, and the chemical treatment makes it resistant to rot and insects, but it is heavier, tends to warp more as it dries, and requires special fasteners. In the Pacific Northwest and Southeast where moisture and insects are significant, pressure-treated is often the practical choice. In drier climates, cedar is worth the premium.
Should I use screws or nails for fence pickets?
Screws are strongly preferred for wood fence pickets. Exterior coated screws resist loosening from seasonal wood movement, resist rust, and are easier to drive consistently straight. Ring-shank nails are the second-best option and hold better than smooth nails, which are the worst choice for fence pickets as they work loose over time. Use 1.5-inch exterior screws for attaching pickets to 2×4 rails. Hot-dipped galvanized fasteners are the correct choice for cedar, as other metals can cause dark staining.
How much does it cost to buy fence pickets for 100 feet?
Material cost for 100 feet of pickets only (no posts or rails): 218 standard 5.5-inch cedar pickets at $2.50 to $4.50 each = $545 to $981. Pressure-treated pine pickets run $1.80 to $3.20 each = $392 to $697 for 218 pickets. Add 10 percent overage to both figures for a realistic purchase. Total fence materials including posts, rails, and concrete run $1,800 to $3,500 for a 100-foot, 6-foot-tall wood privacy fence.
How many rails do I need for a 100-foot fence?
At standard 8-foot post spacing, a 100-foot fence has 12.5 spans, rounding up to 13 spans. With two horizontal rails per span (standard for 6-foot fences), you need 26 rails. For 8-foot fence heights, use three rails. Each rail is a 2x4x8 board. Buy 28 to 30 for waste and cut allowance on uneven terrain or corners.
Related Calculators and Guides
For lumber grades and fence installation best practices, the American Wood Council and your local building department are the authoritative sources for fence post depth requirements, setback rules, and permitted fence heights by zoning district.