Fence Cost Calculator
A fence cost calculator multiplies length by material plus labor per linear foot. 100 ft at $12 material and $13 labor per foot is $1,200 + $1,300 = $2,500.
How much does a fence cost?
A fence cost calculator multiplies the length of the fence by a material rate and a labor rate, both per linear foot, and adds them. Total = length × material per foot + length × labor per foot. A 100 ft fence at $12 per foot for materials and $13 per foot for labor costs $1,200 + $1,300 = $2,500 installed.
Fence prices are almost always quoted by the linear foot, because every few feet the same set of parts repeats: a post, a run of rails, and a panel or a row of pickets. Once you have a per-foot rate from a quote, this calculator scales it to any length.
The formula, step by step
- Length = total feet of fence along the line, minus gate openings.
- Material cost = length × material rate per foot.
- Labor cost = length × labor rate per foot.
- Total = material + labor.
- Add gates, tear-out, and permits as separate lines.
Worked examples
- 100 ft at $12 + $13 per foot (calculator defaults)
- Material: 100 × $12 = $1,200
- Labor: 100 × $13 = $1,300
- Total installed: $2,500
- Backyard privacy fence on three sides of a 60 × 40 ft yard (example rates)
- Fence line: 60 + 40 + 60 = 160 ft
- Minus one 4 ft gate opening: 160 − 4 = 156 ft
- Material at $20 per foot: 156 × $20 = $3,120
- Labor at $15 per foot: 156 × $15 = $2,340
- Fence total: $5,460, plus the gate as its own line
The house closes the fourth side, so it is not fenced. Measuring the yard’s full perimeter would have added 40 ft and $1,400.
Installed cost by length and rate
| Fence length | $15 per ft | $25 per ft | $35 per ft | $50 per ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft | $1,500 | $2,500 | $3,500 | $5,000 |
| 150 ft | $2,250 | $3,750 | $5,250 | $7,500 |
| 200 ft | $3,000 | $5,000 | $7,000 | $10,000 |
| 300 ft | $4,500 | $7,500 | $10,500 | $15,000 |
Find the column nearest your quoted rate. The rates are reference points, not prices for any particular fence. Short jobs often carry a minimum charge, so they can come in above this math.
How to measure your fence line
- Walk the line with a long tape or a measuring wheel, following where the posts will actually go.
- Measure each side separately and write it down, since corners, ends, and gates are priced differently.
- Subtract gate openings from the length, then price each gate on its own.
- Slopes: measure along the ground, not the level distance. On steep ground, ask whether the fence will be stepped or racked.
- Find the property line before you measure. Many people set a fence a little inside it, and some areas require a survey.
What changes the per-foot rate
- Height: a 6 ft fence uses more board and heavier posts than a 4 ft one.
- Style: solid privacy uses more material per foot than picket, split rail, or wire.
- Ground: rock, roots, and hard clay slow down post-hole digging.
- Posts in concrete: each post needs bags of mix. Count them with the fence post concrete calculator.
- Removal: tearing out and hauling away an old fence is a separate charge.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the house side. Fences often tie into the house or an existing fence, which shortens the run.
- Leaving gates in the length. That charges you for fence across an opening and leaves out the gate cost.
- Comparing quotes with different scopes. One may include tear-out, permits, and gates; another may not. Line them up before comparing.
- Ignoring local rules. Height limits, setbacks, and HOA rules can change the design, so check them first.
Get the material list
The fence calculator breaks the run into posts, rails, and pickets. Use the fence post calculator for post spacing, and the privacy fence calculator for board counts on a solid fence.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fence cost per foot?
It depends on the material, height, and local labor, so use quotes rather than a national number. The calculator defaults to $12 material and $13 labor per foot, $25 installed. At that rate, 100 ft costs $2,500, 150 ft costs $3,750, and 200 ft costs $5,000.
How do I turn a contractor's total quote into a per-foot rate?
Divide the quote by the fence length in feet. A $4,200 quote for 168 ft is $25 per foot. That lets you compare bids for different lengths, or check what a longer run would cost at the same rate.
Why price fencing by the foot?
Posts, rails, panels, pickets, and labor all repeat along the run, so cost tracks length, not yard area. A 60 × 40 ft yard fenced on three sides is 160 ft of fence no matter how big the lawn inside is.
Does this include gates?
No. Gates need heavier posts, hinges, latches, and more labor, so they are priced per gate. Subtract the gate openings from your length, then add each gate as its own line. Do the same for tearing out an old fence.
What raises fence cost?
Taller fences use more material per foot, privacy styles use more boards than open styles, and premium materials cost more. Rocky or root-filled ground makes post holes slow, slopes need stepping or racking, and corners and ends need extra bracing. Old-fence removal and haul-away add another line.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.