How many pickets does a fence need?
Each picket occupies its width plus the gap between pickets. Convert the fence length to inches, divide by the combined width of one picket and gap, then round up. Add 5-10% extra for damaged pieces, corners and future repairs — it is much cheaper to have spares than to make a special trip.
For a privacy fence, pickets are typically installed tight (0 or 1/8 inch gap), which yields more pickets per foot. Picket widths vary: 3.5 inch pickets look formal, 5.5 inch (1x6) is standard for privacy, and 1x4 or 1x6 are both common. Always check local building codes — some jurisdictions limit fence height and gap sizes.
Quick estimates
- 1x4 pickets, tight: ~3 per linear foot
- 1x6 pickets, tight: ~2.2 per linear foot
- 1x6 pickets with 0.5" gap: ~1.67 per linear foot