Fence quantities begin with the measured fence line, not the area of the property. The calculator separates gate openings from the infill length, then estimates the selected infill, posts, post-hole concrete and any prices you choose to add.
Choose the route that matches the product
Calculation routes
| Fence system | Short-form inputs | Main outputs |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-made panels or sections | Fence-line length and actual panel width | Panels, posts, concrete bags and optional cost. |
| Individual pickets, palings or boards | Fence-line length, post spacing, board width and gap | Pickets, bays, rails, posts, concrete and optional cost. |
| Mesh or chain-link rolls | Fence-line length, post spacing and roll length | Rolls, posts, post-hole concrete and optional cost. |
Only the fields needed for the selected fence system remain on screen. Gate openings, concrete dimensions and prices sit inside Advanced settings so a quick material count does not become a long estimating form.
Regional terminology varies. Picket, paling, slat and board may describe similar individual infill pieces; panel, bay and section may be used for pre-assembled units. Always use the dimensions stated for the exact product.
The five-step ordering workflow
- Measure the complete route of the proposed fence.
- Choose an open run or a closed perimeter.
- Enter the one product dimension that controls the selected system.
- Open Advanced settings only when gates, concrete or a cost estimate are required.
- Compare the rounded purchasing quantities with the supplier’s stock sizes and installation instructions.
Posts follow intervals, not just length
A straight run needs a post at both ends, so it normally contains one more post than the number of fence bays and gate openings. A closed perimeter returns to its first post, so the number of posts normally matches the number of intervals around the loop.
Why layout changes the post count
| Layout | Intervals in the calculation | Post rule |
|---|---|---|
| Straight or open run | Fence bays plus gate openings | Intervals + 1 end post. |
| Closed perimeter | Fence bays plus gate openings around a loop | One post per interval. |
| Separate disconnected runs | Each run has its own start and end | Calculate each run separately for the most reliable count. |
Gate openings split the infill but remain part of the structure
The combined gate width is deducted from the length filled by panels, boards or mesh. Each gate still occupies a structural interval between posts, so it remains in the post count even though no standard infill is purchased for that opening.
One combined gate width keeps the form short, but it is not a post-by-post layout. Gates positioned at the end of a run, paired gates and several disconnected fence lines should be checked on a sketch before ordering.
Panels, pickets and mesh are rounded differently
How each infill is purchased
| Infill | Quantity method | Purchasing effect |
|---|---|---|
| Panels or sections | Net infill length ÷ actual panel width | Rounded up to complete panels. |
| Pickets, palings or boards | Net length ÷ board width plus gap | Rounded up to complete pieces after the selected allowance. |
| Mesh or chain-link | Net length including allowance ÷ roll length | Rounded up to complete rolls. |
The panel route does not add a separate percentage allowance because rounding to a full panel already creates a surplus in many layouts. The picket and mesh routes include an editable allowance for cuts, damaged pieces and joining loss.
Concrete is a separate volume check
- The calculator treats each post hole as a cylinder.
- Hole volume is multiplied by the calculated number of posts.
- An editable allowance is added for irregular excavation and handling loss.
- The order volume is divided by the mixed-concrete yield printed on one bag.
- The bag count is rounded up because partial bags cannot normally be purchased.
The default hole diameter and depth are examples, not a design recommendation. Wind exposure, fence height, soil, frost depth, footing method, utilities, local codes and manufacturer instructions may require a different foundation.
A global calculator needs product data, not regional assumptions
Panel widths, roll lengths, bag yields and common post spacings differ across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and individual suppliers. Metric and imperial switching converts the measurements, but it does not replace the specifications of the product being purchased.
For bagged concrete, use yield rather than bag weight. A 20 kg, 25 kg, 60 lb or 80 lb bag can produce a different mixed volume depending on the formulation.
What enters the cost total
Every price is optional. The total adds only the price fields completed for the selected fence system, while the quantity calculation continues to work when every cost field is blank.
- panels, pickets, rails or mesh rolls for the selected route;
- all calculated posts;
- complete concrete bags when concrete is enabled;
- gates when a count and average gate price are entered;
- a material-by-material quantity and subtotal table.
The estimate excludes installation work, excavation, delivery, permits, taxes, braces, caps, clips, screws, nails, tension wire, hinges, latches, paint, demolition and specialist equipment unless those costs are added elsewhere.
Pre-order site review
- mark every corner and the ends of each disconnected run;
- confirm whether panel width is measured between posts, across the panel or on centre;
- include installation clearances in gate-opening measurements;
- identify corner, end and gate posts that may require heavier sections or additional bracing;
- locate underground services before digging or drilling;
- confirm footing depth, permits, boundary rules and inspection requirements locally.
Where the estimate stops
This is a purchasing estimate rather than a structural design. It does not verify post section, wind resistance, footing capacity, reinforcement, mesh tension, connection design, boundary ownership or compliance with any local code, permit or planning rule.