How much fence do I need?
Footage tells you how much fence. Spacing tells you how many posts. Here’s how they fit together.
Start with the footage
Add up every straight run of the fence line. A backyard 80 ft wide and 60 ft deep, fenced across the back and down both sides, is 80 + 60 + 60 = 200 ft. Not measured yet? Use the measuring guide.
Post and section counter
ft
—sections
—posts, about
—bags of concrete, rough
A planning number, not an order. Gates, slopes and the exact layout change the count. The concrete figure assumes about two bags per post.
How spacing works
- Wood privacy: posts about every 8 ft. Closer in high-wind spots.
- Vinyl: panels commonly come 6 or 8 ft wide. Posts land at every panel.
- Ornamental aluminum: panels are usually about 6 ft wide.
- Chain link: line posts up to about 10 ft apart, with heavier terminal posts at ends, corners and gates.
Why runs matter
Runs rarely divide evenly by the post spacing, so each corner usually leaves one short section. Every extra run adds about one section and one post. Corners also take heavier posts on chain link and bracing on farm fence.
Don’t forget
- Gates, and heavier posts to hang them on
- Hardware: hinges, latches, brackets, ties or fasteners
- Removing and hauling off an old fence