Fence Paling Calculator
Work out how many fence palings or pickets you need for a run from fence length, paling width and gap, free in your browser.
Enter Values
Before you rely on this: First-pass guide only. Verify safety-critical or regulated work against the relevant standards, your project requirements and a qualified professional.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the fence length (m) and paling width (mm).
- Add a gap between palings if you want spacing.
How it works
Palings = fence length ÷ (paling width + gap), rounded up.
Worked example
10 m, 90 mm palings, 10 mm gap. = 100 palings.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the gap (or overlap) changes the count significantly.
- Not adding spares for waste, cuts and damaged boards.
Frequently asked questions
How many palings do I need?
Divide the fence length by the paling width, allowing for any gap or overlap. The tool works this out from your paling size and spacing.
Should palings have a gap or overlap?
Butted or slightly gapped palings save material; overlapping (lapped or board-on-board) gives more privacy but needs noticeably more palings.
What about overlapping palings?
For lapped fences, reduce the effective paling width by the overlap before entering it.
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Cite this tool
Zerdly. (2026). Fence Paling Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.zerdly.com/tools/fence-paling-calculator/
Tip: Enter any known values to calculate the remaining results.
All calculations run in your browser. Your inputs are never saved or transmitted.