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Use our board on board fence calculator to find the boards you need. Get the fence formula, steps, and cost in seconds.
Building a fence takes good planning. You need the right number of boards. You also need the right board overlap.
Our board on board fence calculator makes this job easy. It helps you find how many boards you need for your fence.
You can enter your fence length, board width, and overlap. You can also add the price per board. The tool then shows your board count and cost.
No need to do hard math by hand. Just enter your numbers and get your result.
A board on board fence uses overlapping boards. Each board covers part of the next board.
First, find the effective coverage.
Effective Coverage = Board Width − Board Overlap
Then use the main board count formula.
Boards Needed = Ceiling[(Fence Length − Board Width) ÷ (Board Width − Board Overlap) + 1]
Here:
The word Ceiling means round the result up. You can't buy part of a board.
Let's say your fence is 100 feet long.
Your boards are 5.5 inches wide. The overlap is 1.5 inches.
First, change the fence length to inches.
100 feet × 12 = 1,200 inches
Now find the effective coverage.
5.5 − 1.5 = 4 inches
Next, use the main formula.
Boards Needed = Ceiling[(1,200 − 5.5) ÷ 4 + 1]
Boards Needed = Ceiling[299.625]
Boards Needed = 300 boards
So, you'll need 300 fence boards for this example.
Think of it like laying roof tiles. Each new tile covers part of the last one. The overlap makes the fence look solid and private.
Using our online board on board fence calculator is quick and simple.
Step 1: Enter Fence Length
Enter the total length of your fence. You can use inches, feet, cm, mm, or meters.
Step 2: Enter Board Width
Enter the actual width of one fence board. Check the real board size before you start.
Step 3: Enter Board Overlap
Enter how much one board overlaps the next board. The overlap affects the total board count.
Step 4: Add Board Price
You can enter the price of one board. This field is optional.
The calculator can then estimate your total board cost.
Step 5: Click Calculate
Click the calculate button. The tool will convert your units to inches. It will then find the effective coverage.
Next, it uses the board on board fence formula. The result rounds up to a whole board.
You'll see the total boards you need. You'll also see the simple estimate and cost, if you enter a price.
Let's use a real-world example.
You want to build a 100-foot fence. You plan to use 5.5-inch boards. Each board will overlap by 1.5 inches.
First, convert the fence length.
100 × 12 = 1,200 inches
Next, find the board coverage.
5.5 − 1.5 = 4 inches
Now apply the formula.
(1,200 − 5.5) ÷ 4 + 1 = 299.625
Round up the result.
299.625 → 300 boards
So, the result is 300 boards.
If each board costs $3.50, the board cost is:
300 × $3.50 = $1,050
This cost covers the fence boards only. It doesn't include posts, rails, screws, labor, or other supplies.
A board on board fence calculator saves time and cuts down on guesswork. It helps you plan your fence with less stress.
Enter your fence length, board width, and board overlap. The calculator does the math for you.
You can also add the board price. This gives you a quick material cost estimate.
Before you buy, check your board size and overlap. It's also smart to buy a small extra amount. This can cover cuts, damage, and waste.
A board on board fence uses overlapping boards. The boards cover the gaps between each other. This creates a more private wood fence.
Use this formula:
Boards Needed = Ceiling[(Fence Length − Board Width) ÷ (Board Width − Board Overlap) + 1]
Make sure all measurements use the same unit before you calculate.
Effective coverage is the new fence width covered by each extra board.
Effective Coverage = Board Width − Board Overlap
For example, a 5.5-inch board with 1.5 inches of overlap gives 4 inches of effective coverage.
Yes. More overlap means less new fence coverage per board. So, you'll need more boards for the same fence length.
Yes. Our calculator supports inches, feet, cm, mm, and meters. It converts the values to inches before it does the math.
Yes, if you enter the price per board. The calculator multiplies the board count by the price per board.
The answer depends on board width and overlap. For example, 5.5-inch boards with a 1.5-inch overlap need about 300 boards for a 100-foot fence.
Yes. It's wise to buy a few extra boards. You may need them for cuts, damage, or waste.