Fence Material Calculator: Posts, Panels, and Linear Feet
A fence quote starts with linear feet and ends with a post count. Here is how to size up material yourself before you buy or bid.
Start with linear feet
Measure the perimeter of the fence run in feet. Add each straight side, including short returns to the house. This total is your linear footage and the foundation of every other estimate.
Counting posts
For a straight run, posts equal sections plus one, since every panel has a post on both ends. Every gate adds two posts (one on each side), and each corner needs a post of its own.
Counting panels
Panels fit between posts. If your spacing is 8 feet, a 140 foot run divides into about 18 sections, which means about 19 posts before you add gates or corners.
Worked example
A 140 foot backyard with 8 foot spacing, 3 corners, and 1 gate: 140 divided by 8 is 17.5, rounded up to 18 sections. That is 19 posts on the run, plus 2 for the gate and 3 corner posts, for a total of 24 posts and 18 panels.
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should fence posts be?
Six to eight feet is standard for wood and vinyl privacy fences. Eight foot spacing uses fewer posts but is more prone to sag on longer runs, while six foot spacing is stiffer and better in windy areas.
How do I measure linear feet of fencing?
Walk the perimeter with a tape or wheel and add each straight run. Linear feet is just the total length along the ground, ignoring corners as distance.
Does the estimate include the gate?
You should add a post on each side of every gate. Our calculator asks for gate and corner counts so those extra posts are included in the total.
Try the calculator
Enter linear feet, spacing, corners, and gates in our Fence Material Calculator to get a full material list.