How Much Fencing Do I Need? (2026 Fence Calculator)
Working out how much fencing you need is simpler than it looks, once you stop guessing and start measuring. A fence is bought in whole panels and whole posts, so a rough estimate almost always leaves you short. Use the free Fence Calculator and you will know your panel count, post count and material cost before you order.
How much fencing do I need for my yard?
Measure every straight run of your boundary in feet, add the runs together, and subtract any driveways, wide paths or gaps you plan to leave open. That total is the fence length to enter into the calculator. For a typical garden, the answer is often between 100 and 200 feet, depending on how much of the boundary you are fencing.
Do not measure the whole property if you are only fencing the back garden. Walk the line with a tape or measuring wheel, mark every corner, and write each run down separately.
How do I calculate fence panels and posts?
Divide your total fence length by your panel length and round up to the next whole panel, because panels are only sold whole. Then add one to the panel count for the base post count, and add one extra post for every gate.
For example, a 150-foot fence with 8-foot panels needs 19 sections, because 150 divided by 8 is 18.75, rounded up to 19. Those sections cover 152 feet. The post count is 19 plus 1 plus 1 gate, which is 21.
How many posts do I need for a 150-foot fence?
For a 150-foot fence with 8-foot panels and one gate, you need 21 posts: 19 sections plus one end post plus one extra gate post. That count already includes the corner and end posts, so you do not need to add more for corners. If you add a second gate, add one more post, bringing the total to 22 posts.
Neighbouring sections share a post, so posts always run one ahead of sections before gates are added. Ordering the same number of posts as panels leaves you one short at the end, plus one short per gate.
How much does it cost to fence 150 feet?
With the calculator defaults of $85 per panel and $25 per post, a 150-foot fence costs $2,140 in panels and posts: 19 panels at $85 is $1,615, and 21 posts at $25 is $525. That works out to about $14.27 per measured foot for panels and posts only, before gates, concrete, fixings, delivery, tax and labour.
Your price will differ, because timber, vinyl and metal panels vary widely, as do posts. Enter your actual supplier prices into the Fence Calculator rather than relying on the defaults, and get a written quote, since advertised prices often exclude delivery.
Should I choose 6-foot or 8-foot fence panels?
Choose 8-foot panels for flat, straight runs, where they save posts and money, and choose 6-foot panels for slopes, tight side passages, or fitting the fence alone. Shorter panels are lighter, easier to carry, and follow uneven ground more closely, while longer panels are cheaper per foot of fence but heavier and less forgiving.
On a slope, short panels step down more neatly and leave smaller gaps underneath. On flat ground, 8-foot panels are the usual default and mean fewer holes to dig.
How do I measure a fence line with corners and gates?
Measure each straight run between corners separately, add the runs together, and count each gate opening separately, not as fence length. A gate still needs posts, but not a panel, so enter gates in their own calculator field. Mark every corner and gate position with a stake before measuring, so nothing is double-counted.
For an L-shaped garden, that means two runs, not one diagonal guess; for a U-shaped garden, three runs. If a run is not straight, break it into shorter straight sections at each change of direction.
What extra costs should I budget beyond panels and posts?
Budget separately for the gates themselves, concrete or gravel for post holes, post caps, screws and fixings, stain or paint, delivery, tax and labour. The calculator total covers panels and posts only, so these extras can add a meaningful amount to the final bill, especially if you are paying for professional fitting or setting every post in concrete.
Post concrete is the biggest hidden cost for many DIY fences. Price it with a concrete calculator once you know your post count and hole depth. A gravel calculator prices a gravel path, and a deck calculator prices decking.
What are the most common questions about fencing?
These are the questions people ask most often when planning a fence. The answers follow the same model as the calculator, so they will match what you get with your own measurements. Use the calculator with your own length, panel size, gate count and prices to confirm your exact order.
How many fence panels do I need for 200 feet?
With 8-foot panels, a 200-foot fence needs 25 panels, because 200 divided by 8 is exactly 25. With 6-foot panels, it needs 34 panels, because 200 divided by 6 is 33.33, rounded up to 34. With no gate, posts are 26 for 8-foot panels and 35 for 6-foot panels.
Do gates need extra posts?
Yes, every gate needs one extra post beyond the posts for the fence sections: one to hang from and one to close against. Forgetting gate posts is a common ordering mistake, and an awkward one to fix mid-installation.
Why does my fence cover more feet than I measured?
Because panels are only sold whole, so the count is always rounded up. A 150-foot fence with 8-foot panels needs 19 panels, covering 152 feet, not 150. The extra 2 feet are absorbed by trimming the last panel or spacing posts closer, and you should still buy all 19.
Should I buy spare panels and posts?
Yes, one spare panel and one spare post are cheap insurance. Boards get damaged in transit, and matching panels later can be difficult if stock changes.
Disclaimer: This guide gives estimates only, not professional advice. Counts depend on your measurements, panel length, gates and ground conditions, and prices vary by supplier and region. Check local boundary and height rules before you build, and consult a qualified contractor for structural or shared-boundary fences.
