Fence Calculator

Calculate posts, rails, pickets and concrete needed for building a fence.

Part of:Fencing hubExterior hub
ft
ft
ft

How to Use This Calculator

How to Use

  1. Enter total fence length.
  2. Set the fence height and post spacing.
  3. Choose fence style (picket or panel).

Tips

  • Standard post spacing is 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m).
  • Each post hole needs roughly 2 bags of 60 lb concrete or 1 bag of 25 kg.
  • Posts should be buried 1/3 of their total length for stability.

Common Questions

How far apart should fence posts be?

6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) is standard. Shorter spacing is stronger, especially for tall fences.

How deep should fence posts be?

A general rule is 1/3 of the total post length underground. For a 6 ft fence, use 9 ft posts with 3 ft buried.

How many bags of concrete per post?

Typically 1-3 bags of 60 lb concrete per post depending on hole size. 2 bags is a safe average.

Should I use wooden or concrete fence posts?

Concrete posts last longest and resist rot, while timber posts look more natural but should be pressure-treated and ideally set on a gravel base so water can drain away.

How do I stop fence posts rotting?

Set posts on a layer of gravel so water drains away, slope the concrete collar so rain runs off the timber, and always use pressure-treated posts rather than burying untreated wood.

Related Calculators