Fence Post and Panel Calculator
Work out the posts, panels and rails needed to build a fence of a given length.
Materials for the run
Building a fence means dividing its length into sections and working out the posts, panels and rails each section needs. This calculates those quantities from the total length and spacing, so you can order the right materials rather than guessing and making extra trips.
Enter the fence length and post spacing to see the materials.
The fencepost problem, literally
There is a classic counting catch here that even has a name — the fencepost problem. A fence of ten sections needs eleven posts, not ten, because there is a post at both ends as well as between each section. Forgetting the final post is one of the most common errors in estimating fencing, exactly the sort of off-by-one that a calculator avoids. Beyond that, posts are set in the ground and need concrete, gates interrupt the spacing, and it is wise to order a little extra for cuts and damaged panels.
Common questions
How many posts does a fence need?
One more than the number of sections — there is a post at each end as well as between sections, the classic fencepost counting catch.
What else should I budget for?
Concrete to set the posts, adjustments where gates interrupt the spacing, and a little extra for cuts and damaged panels.
Is anything uploaded?
No. The calculation happens in your browser.