Global Araç
Fence Post Calculator
Çit Direği Hesaplayıcı
Bir çit hattı için direk, panel, beton ve bütçe planlayın.
Fence-building math: post count = (length / spacing) + 1, with extra posts at gates (gate posts are double-thick or doubled for stability). Standard post spacing varies by panel type: chain-link 8-10 ft, wood privacy 6-8 ft (8 is most common with pre-made panels), vinyl privacy 6-8 ft, ranch / horse fencing 12-16 ft, picket 6-8 ft, ornamental aluminum 6 ft. So a straight 100 ft wood privacy fence at 8 ft spacing needs 13 line posts + extra at gates = 14-16 posts total. Post depth rule: 1/3 of post length should be below ground for stability (an 8 ft post = ~30 inches buried), with 6-12 inch gravel base for drainage. Concrete: 1.5-2 80-lb bags per post hole for 4×4 standard wood post.
The calculator takes fence length (in feet or meters), post spacing (typically 6-8 ft for residential), gate count, and panel / fence type, then outputs: post count (with gate doubles), panel count, concrete bag count, total material cost estimate, and labor-day estimate for DIY. Standard residential 100-ft privacy fence materials: 14-15 4×4×8 pressure-treated posts ($10-25 each = $150-375), 13 6-ft fence panels (cedar $50-90 each = $650- 1170; vinyl $80-150 each = $1040-1950), 25 80-lb concrete bags ($5-7 each = $125- 175), screws / brackets ($50-100), 1 gate ($150-400). Total DIY: $1100-2700. Same fence professionally installed: $3000 -6000+.
Practical considerations beyond math: (1) Property line / setback regulations — check local codes. Most residential codes allow privacy fences up to 6 ft on side / back property line, 4 ft front. Fences OVER property line trigger neighbor disputes; under 6 inches setback is usually safe. (2) Frost line — in cold climates, posts must be set BELOW frost depth (24-48 inches in Northern US, deeper in Canada) to prevent frost heave damage. Local building codes specify frost line depth. (3) Underground utilities — call 811 (US) or your country's equivalent at least a few days before digging. Hitting a gas / electric / fiber line is dangerous and expensive. Call BEFORE digging, every time. (4) Concrete vs gravel — concrete provides solid anchoring (recommended for most installs). Some installers prefer gravel-only (post-rot prevention, adjustability) but requires deeper holes and well-draining soil. Concrete-set posts last 15-25 years; gravel-set 10-20. (5) Wood treatment — pressure-treated wood is rated for ground-contact (look for “UC4A” or “Ground Contact” labeling). Untreated wood rots in 3-5 years; treated 15-25 years. (6) Permit requirements — many municipalities require permits for fences over 4-6 ft; check before building. Building without permit can require tearing it down later.
Nasıl Kullanılır
- Enter fence length in feet or meters.
- Set post spacing (8 ft standard for wood privacy; 6 ft for picket / ornamental).
- Pick panel / fence type (privacy / chain-link / picket / vinyl / ornamental).
- Enter gate count.
- Read post count, panel count, concrete bags, material cost estimate.
Ne Zaman Kullanılır
- Planning a new fence install — DIY or hiring contractor.
- Comparing material types (wood vs vinyl vs metal) for cost.
- Estimating concrete and lumber needs before bulk delivery.
- Pre-call to fence contractor — knowing realistic quote ranges.
- HOA / planning approval — submitting cost and material specs.
Ne Zaman Kullanılmaz
- Highly customized fences (curved, multi-height, decorative) — those need consultant pricing.
- Commercial / agricultural fencing — different scale and material specs.
- Pool / safety fencing — strict codes; contractor + permits required.
- Existing fence repair — different math (replacing some posts vs full install).
Yaygın Kullanım Senaryoları
- Educational use — demonstrating the underlying concept
- Onboarding a colleague who needs the same calculation/conversion
- Verifying a number or output before passing it on
- Quick calculation during a typical workday
Sık Sorulan Sorular
How deep should fence posts go?
1/3 of post length below ground minimum. For 8-ft post: 30+ inches buried. In cold climates, must be below frost line (24-48 inches in Northern US, deeper in Canada — check local code). Add 6-12 inches gravel base below post for drainage. Total hole depth: 36-48 inches typical. Shallow posts heave with frost cycles and lean / break.
Concrete or gravel?
Concrete is standard. Solid anchoring, 15-25 year lifespan. Use 1.5-2 80-lb bags per 4×4 post hole; mix per package directions. Gravel-only setting: posts can be replaced more easily, drainage prevents post-rot at base, but requires deeper holes and well-draining soil. Concrete is more reliable for most situations; gravel is preference for some preservationists.
Pressure-treated or cedar posts?
Pressure-treated for posts (ground contact). Look for UC4A or Ground Contact label — that's the standard for wood that touches soil. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant but 15-30% more expensive than treated pine; cedar resists rot only above ground; cedar posts in soil rot faster than treated pine. For boards / pickets above ground: cedar is fine. For posts: pressure-treated.
How long does a wood fence last?
Treated pressure-treated posts: 15-25 years. Untreated wood posts: 3-5 years. Cedar above-ground boards: 15-25 years. Vinyl: 25+ years (no rot but UV degradation). Aluminum / steel: 25+ years. Replacing a fence at 15-20 years is typical for wood; vinyl can last 30+ years. Quality of installation (depth of post, drainage, concrete vs gravel) affects lifespan as much as material.
Do I need a permit?
Many municipalities require permits for fences over 4-6 ft height; under 4 ft typically no permit. Permit costs $25-150. Building without permit when one is required can result in fines or being forced to tear down. Even where permits aren't required, neighbors / HOA may have rules. Check city / county website for fence requirements before starting; ask HOA in writing if applicable.
Should I DIY or hire?
DIY savings: 50-60% on material-only cost (you save the labor markup). DIY work: 1-2 weekends for 100 ft fence with 1-2 helpers. Required: post hole digger or auger ($30 rental), level, drill, saw. Hire when: ground is rocky / hard (auger helpful), property has slope or elevation changes, you want professional finish, you have limited time. Pro install: $30-60 per linear foot for wood privacy; $40-80 for vinyl. DIY: $11-27 per linear foot materials only.