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The "+1" is the post most homeowners forget. A 100 ft run with posts every 8 ft has 12.5 spaces, so 13 spaces, which needs 14 posts. If the run ends at a house wall or a gate post, the wall or gate post can be one end, but the fence still needs a post at the other end.
Post spacing is set by the fence material and the load it carries, not by preference. The ranges below follow common manufacturer and trade guidance; wind exposure and soil can push you to the tighter end.
| Fence type | Typical post spacing | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wood privacy | 6 to 8 ft | Panels and rails are short; wind load on a solid fence is high |
| Vinyl privacy | 6 to 8 ft | Rails are sized for short spans; heat movement needs room |
| Chain link | 8 to 10 ft | Line posts carry a light mesh and top rail |
| Split rail | 10 ft | Rails are long and the fence is open, so wind load is low |
| Aluminium or metal | 8 ft | Panels are pre-sized; check the panel width before ordering |
| Ranch rail | 8 to 10 ft | Depends on rail length and gate weight |
A gate is the heaviest point in a fence. It needs a post on each side, and both posts should be larger or deeper than a line post because they carry the gate leaf plus the force of it swinging. Never use a line post as a gate post and never hang a gate on a corner post without checking the bracing.
Corners are already posts when the layout reaches them, but a corner that turns the load needs bracing or a second post set a short distance back. On slopes, stepped panels can add a post at each step, which is why the count from a plan can be lower than the count from a hillside.
The rule of thumb is that about one third of the post is buried, and the hole is about three times the post's width in diameter. Local frost depth overrides the rule of thumb: in a cold climate the hole goes below the frost line, which can mean a deeper hole and more concrete per post. Our bag count guide turns the hole size into concrete.
Posts are the least wasteful part of a fence, but a few spares are normal: a cut post at a slope, a damaged post, or a change at a gate. Add 2 to 5 percent, and count the hardware at the same time. Panels or rails are ordered by the number of spaces, not the number of posts, which is the other common ordering error.
The formula is simple; the measuring is where the count goes wrong. Measure along the actual fence line, not along the property boundary on a plan, because a fence usually steps inside the line to keep posts on your side. Note every gate opening, every corner and every point where the ground changes level enough to need a stepped panel. Those three things, not the total length, decide the real post count.
On a slope, a wood or vinyl fence is usually built in stepped panels rather than following the ground, which adds a post at each step. A 120 ft run on flat ground at 8 ft spacing is 16 posts; the same run on a hillside with ten steps can be a few posts more. Measure, mark the post positions with stakes, then order.
The fence calculator turns length and spacing into posts, panels, rails and a cost range.
Common practice is 6 to 8 ft for wood and vinyl privacy fences, 8 to 10 ft for chain link, and 10 ft for split rail. Manufacturer instructions and local wind load decide the tighter end of the range.
Yes, unless an end ties into a building wall or an existing gate post that is built to carry the load. The "+1" in the formula is exactly that end post.
At 8 ft spacing, 14 posts. At 6 ft spacing, 18 posts. At 10 ft spacing, 11 posts. The count is the rounded-up number of spaces plus one end post.
Add them separately. A gate needs two posts, usually heavier than line posts, and the gate opening is subtracted from the fence run before spacing is calculated.
At 8 ft spacing, 26 posts. At 6 ft spacing, 35 posts. At 10 ft spacing, 21 posts. Subtract any gate openings first, then divide and add the end post.
About one third of the post length is a common rule of thumb, and the hole must go below the local frost line. Check the manufacturer's instructions and your local code for the depth that applies to your soil and climate.
Get the number of posts for a run, with gate posts included.
Estimates, not quotes. Based on our October 2026 price index. See the full index.
Estimates and general guidance, not an engineered design.