How many fence posts do I need?

Sections = length / spacing, and you need one more post than sections.

What is a good post spacing?

Usually 1.8–2.4 m depending on fence type.

Fence Calculator

Calculate the number of fence posts and panels from fence length and post spacing.

Fence length: 20.00 m

Post spacing: 2.00 m

11 pcs

Posts needed

Posts	11 pcs
Panels / sections	10 pcs

ℹ️ You need one more post than sections (start and end).

This fence calculator estimates how many posts and panels you need to build a fence. Enter the fence length and the spacing between posts to get the number of posts and sections.

How the calculator works and what it’s for▾

How the calculator works

The tool divides the fence length by the post spacing to find the number of panels, or sections. You always need one more post than sections, because a fence has both a start and an end.

For example, a 20 metre fence with two-metre post spacing means ten sections and eleven posts.

Inputs and results

The fields are the fence length in metres and the post spacing in metres. The result shows the number of posts and the number of panels or sections.

These figures let you plan your material purchase and estimate the workload in advance.

Who it is for and when

It suits anyone building or replacing a garden fence, whether it is a board fence, a wire fence or a ready-made panel fence. It helps you order the right number of posts and panels.

Good to know

Remember that you need one more post than sections. Choose the post spacing to match the fence type, since a shorter spacing supports the fence better but adds to the number of posts and the amount of digging.

🔄 Reviewed June 2026