How far apart should fence posts be?

6-8 feet on center is standard. 6 feet for privacy fences and windy areas. 8 feet for light-duty fences. Posts should be set in concrete, 1/3 of total post length underground.

How deep should fence posts be?

Bury 1/3 of the post. A 6-foot fence needs an 8-foot post with 2 feet underground. In frost-prone areas, go below the frost line (36-48 inches) to prevent heaving.

How much does a fence cost per linear foot?

Materials only: wood privacy $10-25/ft, chain link $5-15/ft, vinyl $15-40/ft. Installed: wood $20-50/ft, chain link $10-30/ft, vinyl $25-60/ft.

Fence Calculator — Posts, Rails, and Pickets

Fence Material Cost Reference

Material	Cost per Linear Foot (materials)	Lifespan
Pressure-treated pine	$10–20	15–20 years (with stain)
Cedar	$15–30	20–30 years
Vinyl/PVC	$15–40	30+ years
Chain link	$5–15	20–30 years
Composite	$25–45	25–30+ years
Wrought iron	$25–50	50+ years

Before You Build

Call 811 (in the US) before digging — it's the law. Utility locating is free and prevents hitting gas, water, or electrical lines. Check your property survey for exact boundary lines; building even 6 inches on a neighbor's property can mean forced removal. Most municipalities require a building permit for fences over 4 feet. HOA restrictions may limit height, material, and color.

Post Setting Methods

Concrete is strongest. Each post needs about one 50-lb bag of fast-setting concrete. Tamp the post plumb with a level, pour dry mix into the hole, then add water — it sets in 20-40 minutes. Alternative: compacted gravel (drainage-friendly but less rigid). Foam post-setting compounds expand to fill the hole and cure in minutes — lighter than concrete but comparable strength for residential fences.

How to Use This Fence Calculator

Enter the fence length, height, and gate count. Select material (wood, vinyl, chain link). The calculator estimates posts, rails, pickets/panels, concrete, and hardware.

Formula & How It Works

Posts = (Total Length / Post Spacing) + 1. Rails = Posts × Rails per Section (usually 2-3). Pickets = Total Length / Picket Width × 1.05. Concrete = 1-2 bags per post.

Calculation Example

100 ft privacy fence, 6 ft tall, wood: 15 posts (8 ft spacing), 30 rails, 200 pickets (6-inch), 30 bags concrete, 1 gate.

Expert Tips

Set posts in concrete at least 1/3 of the total height below ground (2 ft for a 6 ft fence). Check property lines before building — fence placement disputes are common. Many areas require permits for fences over 4 ft.

Fence Calculator

Fence Material Cost Reference

Before You Build

Post Setting Methods

FAQ

Concrete Calc

Gravel Calc

Paint Calculator

How to Use This Fence Calculator

Formula & How It Works

Calculation Example

Expert Tips