Fence Calculator
Calculate posts, material and concrete for your fence project.
You'll need
100.0ft
14 posts
How long is your fence?
Live diagram
Getting your fence order right
Measure the actual fence line, confirm boundaries, check local height rules and HOA requirements, and call 811 before digging any post holes.
How deep should fence posts go?
Post depth is the step most people get wrong. The standard rule is one-third of the post’s above-ground height, or below your local frost line — whichever is deeper. A 6-foot fence typically needs posts set 2 feet deep, in holes roughly three times the post’s width. Frost depth varies significantly by region, so check your local building code before digging.
The calculator returns your total linear feet of fencing alongside post and panel counts, so you can price the run directly with a supplier. Each post hole needs concrete — the concrete calculator for fence posts gives you bag counts per hole.
What fencing costs
Fence pricing is driven more by material choice than by anything else. Chain-link is typically the cheapest per linear foot, pressure-treated wood sits in the middle, and vinyl and composite cost more up front but need far less maintenance over their life.
Beyond material, three things move the total: post count (corners, ends and gates all need posts, and closer spacing means more of them), whether your ground needs deeper holes for frost, and gate hardware, which costs disproportionately more per foot than plain run.
We’re working with contractors to validate regional pricing before publishing cost estimates. In the meantime, get your material counts above and take them to two or three local suppliers — quotes on identical quantities are the only reliable comparison.
Related calculators
- concrete calculator — for footings and pier pours beyond post holes.
- tile calculator — for patio and paved areas inside the fence line.
FAQFrequently asked questions
With 8 ft post spacing, a 100 ft straight run needs about 14 posts (12 spans plus the two end posts). Corners and gates each add posts on top of that.
8 ft is typical for wood and vinyl, 10 ft for chain-link, and 6–8 ft for metal systems. Always check your specific product’s installation guide.
| Fence type | Typical post spacing |
|---|---|
| Wood (privacy or picket) | 6–8 ft |
| Chain-link | up to 10 ft |
| Vinyl | per manufacturer — usually fixed by panel width |
A common rule is one-third of the above-ground post height, or below the local frost line — whichever is deeper. For a 6 ft fence that is usually about 2 ft. Cold-climate regions may require considerably deeper holes, so check local code.
It depends on post hole diameter, depth and post size. Our estimate uses the hole dimensions you enter under “More options” — for an exact figure, use the Concrete Calculator.
Picket count depends on picket width and the gap between pickets. We estimate roughly 2 pickets per linear foot for standard spacing — adjust for your exact picket width.
Divide your fence material length by the panel width (commonly 6–8 ft) and round up. Gate openings reduce the material length but not the total fence line.
Sloped ground doesn’t change the linear footage, but it can require stepped or racked panels and extra material depending on the system — we add a small buffer when Sloped is selected.
5–10% is typical to cover mismeasurement and cutting. Complex layouts or sloped terrain may need a bit more.
Linear feet is simply the total length of your fence line, measured along the ground — not square footage, and not affected by fence height. For a rectangular yard, add all four sides and subtract any gate widths. The calculator returns total linear feet alongside post and panel counts.
Cost depends mainly on material and length. Chain-link is usually cheapest per linear foot, pressure-treated wood sits in the middle, and vinyl or composite cost more up front but need less maintenance. Gates and corner posts add disproportionately. Work out your exact post, panel and rail counts above, then price those quantities with local suppliers.