By the MyPlanDIY editorial teamLast updated
This guide takes you all the way from the first measurement to a finished material list. You get an overview of planning, materials and calculation – with links to deeper answers when you want to dig into a single topic. Along the way you use the fence calculator to get the exact numbers.
Measure the total length of the fence and decide on the height. Check the ground – soft or wet soil needs a better foundation – and work out where the posts will go. If the fence sits on a boundary, it's worth agreeing the position and height with your neighbour and checking local rules before you start. Good planning saves both time and materials later.
Decide the total length and height based on the purpose – a windbreak, privacy screen or boundary marker. A typical fence is 150–180 cm (5–6 ft) tall. Length, height and post spacing are exactly the measurements you enter into the fence calculator so the materials are worked out precisely.
A fence is basically posts, fence boards, rails, stainless-steel screws and a foundation – post shoes or set in concrete. Wood type, board width and screw type affect both price and durability. Pressure-treated softwood lasts 15–20 years, while larch and cedar can be left untreated. See a full breakdown in our fence material list before you calculate the quantities.
The number of boards depends on the fence length, the board width and the gap between them – and remember 5 % for waste. See the short answer in how many fence boards do I need, or get the exact number with the fence calculator.
The posts carry the whole fence, and the spacing between them decides how stable it is – typically 180–200 cm (6–7 ft). Too wide a spacing gives a fence that sags and twists over time. Read more about the count in how many fence posts do I need, and let the fence calculator work it out from your length.
Allow 2 stainless-steel screws per board per rail – with two rails that's 4 screws per board. Always use stainless-steel screws (A2, or A4 near the coast) to avoid rust stains. Don't forget post shoes or post supports for the foundation. The fence calculator counts the screws into the material list.
You don't have to add up the quantities by hand. The fence calculator automatically builds a material list of posts, boards and screws from your measurements, ready to take as a shopping list.
Once you've calculated the fence, the calculation can be used to create a project in MyPlanDIY. That way you gather the material list, budget and tasks in one place, update prices as you get quotes, and keep the overview all the way from shopping to a finished fence.
The material list works as a ready-made shopping list for the hardware store. The best print comes straight from your project in MyPlanDIY, where the list is updated with your quantities and prices. To see the idea behind it, read more about a printable shopping list.
Measure the fence length, decide on the height, and check the ground and boundary line. If it sits on a boundary, agree the position with your neighbour. Then choose materials, calculate boards, posts and screws, and gather everything into one material list. The fence calculator gives you the exact numbers.
At a minimum: posts, fence boards, rails, stainless-steel screws and a foundation – post shoes or concrete. Pressure-treated softwood, larch or cedar are the most durable choices outdoors.
Rule of thumb: about 7 boards per metre with 14 cm boards and a 1 cm gap, plus 5 % for waste. See the short answer in how many fence boards do I need, or get the exact number with the fence calculator.
Typically 180–200 cm (6–7 ft). Wider spacing needs thicker posts or extra bracing, otherwise the fence sags. See the count in how many fence posts do I need.
Allow 2 stainless-steel screws per board per rail. With two rails that's 4 screws per board. Buy 5–10 % extra – they're cheap and you don't want to run short.
Yes. The fence calculator automatically builds a material list of posts, boards and screws from your fence dimensions, which you can use directly and adjust with prices.
Yes. The calculation can be used to create a project with a material list, budget and tasks, so you have the whole fence project in one place.
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Fence material list
What to buy for a fence: an example material list covering boards, posts, rails, screws, brackets and footings.
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Read guide →Create a free account and use the fence calculator, material list and budget tools in MyPlanDIY.
No credit card required. Free sample project included.