Yards · Property Lines · Gates
Fence Calculator: Posts & Panels Needed
Enter your total fence line length, the style you're building, and how many gates you need. This tool converts that into a post count, panel sections, and concrete for footings.
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How the math works
Fence posts are spaced by section length, not by a fixed count — the goal is dividing your total run into equal sections that match your panel or picket span.
posts = sections + 1, plus 1 per gate
concrete = posts × 2 bags (standard footing)
The "+1" on posts accounts for the fact that a fence with 10 sections needs 11 posts to close the run — one on each end of every section, with adjacent sections sharing a post.
Post spacing reference
| Fence style | Typical post spacing |
|---|---|
| Pre-built panels | 8 ft |
| Picket / privacy (built on-site) | 8 ft |
| Chain-link | 10 ft |
Common mistakes
The biggest one: forgetting gate posts entirely, since they're easy to overlook when you're just counting "posts every 8 feet" along a straight run. The second: not checking your local frost-line depth before setting footing depth — in colder climates, a footing that's too shallow can heave and shift over winter, which is a much bigger fix than pouring it right the first time.
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should fence posts be?
Most panel, picket, and privacy fences use 8-foot post spacing, matching standard pre-built panel and picket section lengths. Chain-link fencing typically allows slightly wider spacing, around 10 feet, since the fabric itself adds tension between posts.
How much concrete does one fence post need?
A standard post footing (roughly 8 inches wide by 24 inches deep) takes about two 50 lb bags of concrete mix per post. Corner and gate posts sometimes need a larger footing since they carry more load.
Do gates need an extra post?
Yes — each gate opening needs its own post on top of the regular run posts, since the gate frame has to hang from something independent of the fence panels on either side.