Linear measure
How much fence do I need?
Enter your run length and post spacing to get posts and panels. Or trace the fence line on satellite imagery for the real distance.
How the math works
posts = linear feet ÷ post spacing + 1, then add two per gate.
panels = linear feet ÷ post spacing, rounded up.
Eight foot spacing is standard for most residential wood and vinyl fence. Six foot spacing costs more in posts but stands up better to wind and to heavy panels.
The plus one matters: a hundred foot run at eight foot spacing needs thirteen posts, not twelve. Every run has one more post than it has sections.
Before you order
Locate the property line before anything else. A survey costs a few hundred dollars and is dramatically cheaper than moving a fence you built on your neighbor's land. Do not rely on the previous fence, the tree line, or satellite imagery for a legal boundary.
Call 811 before you dig. It is free, it is required in most places, and hitting a gas or fiber line with an auger is a very bad day.
Check the rules. Height limits, setback requirements, permit requirements, and HOA restrictions vary enormously and are enforced after the fact.
Post depth is set by your frost line, typically a third of the post length or below the frost depth, whichever is greater. Each post hole needs concrete — typically one to two bags of 80-pound mix per post depending on diameter and depth.
Slopes change the math. Fence that steps or racks down a hill covers more linear distance than the flat map distance suggests.
Where people get it wrong
- Guessing the property line
- This is the expensive mistake. Get the survey.
- Forgetting the extra post
- Every run needs one more post than sections. Corners and gates need more still.
- Ignoring slope
- A fence line across a hill is longer than its map distance.
- Skipping permits and HOA approval
- Both are enforced retroactively, and removal is at your cost.
Background
Fence is measured in linear feet, and the length is the part people misjudge most. A property line that looks straight on a plat is often not, and following a slope adds distance that a map view does not show.
What you need for the job
Common questions
How many fence posts do I need?
Divide the run by your post spacing and add one, then add two posts per gate. A 200 foot run at 8 foot spacing needs 26 posts.
How far apart should fence posts be?
Eight feet is standard for most residential fencing. Six feet is better for tall privacy panels or windy sites.
How deep should fence posts be?
Generally one third of the post length or below your local frost line, whichever is deeper. Frost depth varies enormously by region.
How do I measure my property line for a fence?
A recorded survey is the only authoritative answer. Satellite imagery and plat drawings are useful for estimating materials but are not a legal boundary.
Do I need a permit to build a fence?
In many jurisdictions, yes, particularly above a certain height. Check with your local building department and your HOA before ordering materials.
Measuring by hand is where estimates go wrong
Trace your beds, driveway, or lawn on satellite imagery and the square footage comes straight from the shape you drew. Subtract the house and driveway, map every project on the property at once, and get one combined order list.
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