How Materials Are Calculated
Sections = total length / post spacing (rounded up). Posts = sections + 1 + (gate count x 2 extra gate posts). Rails = sections x rails per section. Concrete = posts x 0.5 bags (assuming a 60-lb bag per post hole, which handles most standard depth holes). Each gate counts as one section removed from panel count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Divide the total fence length by the post spacing, then add 1 for the final post. For example, a 200-foot fence with posts every 8 feet: 200 / 8 = 25 sections + 1 = 26 posts. Corner and gate posts add to this count.
Most wood privacy fences use 6-foot or 8-foot post spacing. Picket fences typically use 6-foot spacing. Chain-link fences commonly use 10-foot spacing for residential installations. Shorter spacing provides more structural rigidity but requires more posts.
A common rule is to bury one-third of the total post length. For a 6-foot fence, use 9-foot posts buried 3 feet deep. In freeze-thaw climates, posts must extend below the frost line, which can range from 12 to 48 inches depending on your location.
Fence panels are pre-built sections (typically 6 or 8 feet wide) attached between posts. Rails are horizontal boards that span between posts, to which individual pickets are nailed. Panels are faster to install; rails give more flexibility for uneven terrain.
Installed fence costs vary widely by material. As of 2025: wood privacy fence typically runs $15-30/linear foot installed; vinyl fence $25-40; chain-link $10-20; aluminum ornamental $25-40. Material-only costs are roughly 40-60% of the installed price.
Related Calculators
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