Quick Calculators · Free to use
Fence Calculator
Estimate sections and posts for one straight fence run.
Your estimate
Enter your measurements to see the estimate.
Total posts including extras
posts- Panels / sections
- sections
- Straight-run posts
- posts
- User-added posts
- posts
- Final panel section length
- Equal field-built section length
Adjacent sections share posts. A positive straight run needs one more post than sections.
Straight run only. Gates, returns, corners, terrain, post widths, and connection details need separate allowances. Confirm the product’s installed section dimensions and whether panels can be cut. No wind-load or footing design is provided.
How to Use This Calculator
Estimate sections and posts for one straight fence run.
Decimals and fractions accepted for dimensions. Unmarked values use the labeled unit; explicit feet/inches are converted. For example, 10' 6 1/4" is an explicit length; 10.6 means 10.6 of the labeled unit. Rates, prices, counts and areas use numbers only.
Inputs and where to find them
Fence method. Choose panels when working with a preferred fixed section width and a potentially shorter final section. Choose field-built spacing when you want the run divided into equal sections. Neither option accounts for post thickness, gates or changes in direction automatically.
Total fence length (ft). Measure the straight fence run on a consistent layout basis that matches the section dimension you will use. Post faces, post centers and a product’s nominal panel width are not interchangeable. Break gates, corners and separate runs into their own layouts.
Preferred panel width / spacing (ft). Enter the preferred panel width or maximum section interval for this straight run. Confirm the product’s installed dimension and connection details. In panel mode the final section may be shorter; in field-built mode the run is divided evenly into the required number of sections.
Additional posts. Enter any additional posts needed beyond the shared intermediate posts and two terminals of this run. Gate assemblies, corners and changes in grade can need separate allowances. Avoid adding a post twice when adjoining runs share it.
Results, example and assumptions
Sections are the number of preferred spans needed for the run. Base posts include the two terminals and shared intermediate posts, and the total adds your extra posts. Panel mode shows a nominal final section; field-built mode shows equal spacing. Confirm installed product dimensions and lay out the full run without chaining a rounded reference dimension.
Sections = round up(fence length ÷ preferred section length).
Run posts = sections + 1 for a positive length; zero for a zero-length run.
Total posts = run posts + extra posts.
Equal field-built spacing = fence length ÷ sections.
Worked example: A 50 ft straight run using 8 ft panels needs 7 panels and 8 posts. Six panels cover 48 ft, so the final section is 2 ft. In field-built mode, 7 equal sections are approximately 7.1429 ft long.
Straight run only. Gates, returns, corners, terrain, post widths, and connection details need separate allowances. Confirm the product’s installed section dimensions and whether panels can be cut. No wind-load or footing design is provided.