How Many Picket Fence Pales Do I Need?
Quick Answer
Approximately 80 pales for a 10-metre fence
Based on: 75mm pale width + 50mm gap = 125mm centres (8 pales per metre)
How We Calculated This
Picket fence pales are spaced at regular intervals along horizontal rails. The number depends on the pale width and the gap between them:
- Pale width: 75mm (standard)
- Gap between pales: 50mm (typical — keeps pets in, looks proportional)
- Centre-to-centre spacing: 75 + 50 = 125mm
- Pales per metre: 1,000 ÷ 125 = 8
- 10m fence: 10 × 8 = 80 pales
Common Pale Sizes
- 75mm × 22mm: Standard softwood pale (most common)
- 100mm × 22mm: Wider pale for a more solid look
- 900mm height: Standard front garden picket fence
- 1,200mm height: Taller option for boundary definition
What Else Do I Need?
- Posts: Every 1.8–2.4m (75 × 75mm or 100 × 100mm)
- Rails: 2 horizontal rails per bay (top and bottom), 3 for taller fences
- Screws/nails: 2 fixings per pale per rail (e.g., 2 rails = 4 fixings per pale)
- Post caps: One per post for weather protection
Tips
Use treated softwood or hardwood pales for longevity. Space pales using a spacer block cut to the gap width — this ensures consistent spacing along the entire run. Pre-drill near the ends to prevent splitting.
Last updated: April 2026. Quantities are estimates — buy 5–10% extra for cuts and waste.