Mortice & Tenon Gates
Picket fence spacing and quantity calculator
How many timber pickets do I need? Enter your fence panel measurements in millimetres to calculate picket quantities, even gaps and current picket prices.
How to measure for your picket fence
- Measure the clear width between the inside faces of each pair of posts. Do not include the posts or gate openings.
- Group panels with the same clear width. Add another panel size for openings that differ, rather than dividing the total fence length by an average.
- Choose a picket width and your maximum gap. The calculator fits whole pickets and reduces the actual gap to keep the spacing even.
Example: a 1800 mm opening with 66 mm pickets
With a maximum gap of 30 mm and equal gaps beside the posts, you need 19 pickets. They occupy 1254 mm, leaving 546 mm for 20 gaps. Each gap is 27.3 mm; the calculator displays this rounded to 27 mm. Use the precise set-out when marking the rails, rather than repeating a rounded spacer measurement.
Five identical panels need 95 pickets. Add five spare pickets and the order becomes 100. The price estimate uses your selected profile and length; delivery is extra.
Picket spacing and ordering questions
What gap should I leave between timber pickets?
Enter the largest gap you want for your design. The 30 mm starting value is an example, not a building or pool-fence requirement. The result shows the even gap that fits your opening using whole pickets. Check your site requirements and final set-out before installation.
Should the gaps beside the posts be equal or half-sized?
Equal gap leaves the same space between every picket and beside both posts. Half gap leaves half the space beside each post. Select the arrangement that suits your fence design; changing it can change the quantity.
Does the total include spare pickets?
Spare pickets are only added when you enter a spare quantity. The result separates panel quantities, spares and any extra pickets needed to reach the minimum order of 10. Allow for your own cutting, handling and replacement needs.
Is this the price of a complete fence?
No. The estimate covers the selected pickets only, in Australian dollars including GST. Delivery, posts, rails, fixings, hardware, paint and installation are excluded. The selected quantity and size carry through to the product page for review before adding to cart.
Need a gate for the opening you left out? Browse timber pedestrian and picket gates
Before you order
Measure each clear panel opening separately. Choose a picket length for your intended fence height and allow for your planned ground clearance and finishing. This estimate assumes straight, rectangular panels with equal-width pickets.
Check actual timber dimensions and your final set-out before fixing. This quantity estimate does not confirm structural suitability, pool-fence compliance or local approval requirements.
Browse all timber pickets