How far apart should fence posts be?

6 to 8 feet on center is standard for wood fence — 8 ft is common, 6 ft is sturdier for tall privacy fence or windy sites. Pre-made panels fix the spacing, so match it to the panel width.

Does this count corner and gate posts?

No — it's the post count for one straight run. Add a post at each corner and on both sides of every gate, and split long runs at corners. Gates also need heavier posts.

How deep should the posts go?

Set posts about a third of their above-ground height deep, and below your local frost line, in concrete. That depth isn't part of the count here — check your local code.

Fence Calculator

A fence run needs one post per section plus one to close the end. Enter the length and post spacing for the posts, sections, and rails on a straight run.

Posts

14posts

Sections (panels): 13 sections
Rails: 26 rails

How these numbers are worked out

The formula

Sections = ⌈ length ÷ post spacing ⌉ (round up, since the last section can be short), and posts = sections + 1 — the +1 is the post that closes the far end. Rails = sections × rails per section. This is a straight run; corners, gates, and ends add posts.

Constants and sources

Posts = ⌈length ÷ spacing⌉ + 1 (standard straight-run layout). Rails = sections × rails per section. Geometry only.

How it was checked

Last reviewed June 16, 2026. Before this calculator was published, its formula, constants and worked example were checked in a separate, AI-assisted review that redid the arithmetic and tested the factual claims; the site owner then approved it for publishing. No engineer or tradesperson reviews these pages. Where a figure depends on the product (a density, a coverage rate, a bag size), it is either an input you can change above or a fixed planning value stated on this page, so check it against your product's label or your supplier.

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Worked example

A 100 ft fence at 8 ft spacing: ⌈100 ÷ 8⌉ = 13 sections, + 1 = 14 posts. With 2 rails per section, 13 × 2 = 26 rails.

FAQs

How far apart should fence posts be?: 6 to 8 feet on center is standard for wood fence — 8 ft is common, 6 ft is sturdier for tall privacy fence or windy sites. Pre-made panels fix the spacing, so match it to the panel width.
Does this count corner and gate posts?: No — it's the post count for one straight run. Add a post at each corner and on both sides of every gate, and split long runs at corners. Gates also need heavier posts.
How deep should the posts go?: Set posts about a third of their above-ground height deep, and below your local frost line, in concrete. That depth isn't part of the count here — check your local code.