How far apart should fence posts be?
6 to 8 ft. Use 6 ft for solid privacy panels exposed to wind and 8 ft for open post-and-rail, where load is lower.
Calculate fence materials needed: posts, panels, rails, and hardware. Enter perimeter length and style for accurate material lists.
Posts = ceil(length ÷ spacing) + 1 (plus one per corner). Rails = sections × rails per section. Pickets = length(in) ÷ (picket width + gap). Concrete = posts × bag rate.
A 120 ft fence at 8 ft spacing needs 16 posts, 45 rails for a 3-rail design, and about 240 pickets at 5.5 in wide with a 0.5 in gap.
6 to 8 ft. Use 6 ft for solid privacy panels exposed to wind and 8 ft for open post-and-rail, where load is lower.
One third of the post length or below the frost line, whichever is deeper — typically 24–36 in with 6–8 in of gravel for drainage.
Two to three 50 lb bags per post for a 4×4 in a 10 in wide, 30 in deep hole. Larger 6×6 posts and gate posts need four or more.