Fence Calculator

1. Measure total perimeter. Walk the boundary you plan to fence and measure the total length in feet. For a rectangular backyard that is 50 ft × 25 ft, the perimeter is 150 linear feet. If you are only fencing three sides (leaving a side open for the house), measure only those three sides.
2. Enter fence height. Residential privacy fences are typically 6 ft tall. Decorative picket fences run 3 to 4 ft. Pool safety codes often require at least 4 ft, sometimes 5 ft depending on your municipality. Check local codes before choosing a height.
3. Set post spacing. The default 8 ft is standard for wood privacy fences. Chain-link often uses 10 ft spacing. Shorter spacing (6 ft) adds strength in windy areas or for taller fences. The calculator adds one extra post to close the perimeter loop.
4. Choose material. Wood is the most popular and affordable. Vinyl requires no painting or staining. Chain-link is the lowest cost option and works well for utility or pet containment.

Example: a 150 linear foot wood fence at 8 ft post spacing needs 20 panels and 20 posts (19 gaps plus 1 to close the loop). At $18 to $28 per linear foot installed, total cost runs $2,700 to $4,200.

Fence materials are calculated based on linear feet of perimeter. Posts are placed at regular intervals, with one additional post to close the loop at the starting point.

Post depth should be one-third of the total post length buried underground. For a 6 ft fence, use 9 ft posts set 3 ft deep. In frost-prone regions, posts must go below the frost line, typically 36 to 48 inches deep, to prevent heaving. Set posts in concrete for wood and vinyl fences. Chain-link posts can be set in tamped gravel for easy future removal.