Fence Calculator - Panels, Posts and Cost Estimate

Fence calculator - panels, posts and total cost

Enter fence length, height and type to get the exact count of panels and posts. Optionally add unit prices and labour cost for a full budget estimate. A 50-meter panel fence at 2.5 m spacing needs 20 panels and 21 posts - subtract 1 m for a wicket gate and 4 m for a driveway gate and the numbers drop to 18 panels and 19 posts.

How to use the fence calculator - step by step

Fence length (m) - total length of the fence line. Measure the perimeter of your property or just the section you plan to fence.
Fence height (m) - standard residential: 1.5-2.0 m. Low garden divider: 1.0-1.2 m. Full privacy: 1.8-2.0 m.
Fence type - panel (quick, modern), picket (classic), chain link (budget) or gabion (heavy, permanent).
Post spacing - 2.5 m for panels, 2.0 m for chain link and pickets, 3.0 m for large spans or gabions.
Gates - add a wicket gate (1 m) and/or driveway gate (4 m). These are subtracted from the fence length.
Prices (optional) - enter unit prices for panels, posts and labour per meter for a total cost estimate.
Read the results - panel count, post count, and cost breakdown (materials + labour + total).

The problem: quotes list items, not answers

The problem

You measured 50 meters around your property. The supplier quotes panels at $45 each and posts at $12 each. The installer charges $15 per meter. But how many panels? How many posts? Does the gate reduce the count or not? And is the total really $2,000 or $3,000?

The solution

The calculator does the division, rounds up (you cannot buy half a panel), subtracts gate widths, and gives you: 18 panels at $45 = $810, 19 posts at $12 = $228, labour 50 m x $15 = $750. Total: $1,788. No guesswork, no over-ordering.

Fence type comparison

Type	Typical spacing	Panel cost	Lifespan	Best for
Panel fence	2.5 m	$30-60	20-30 years	Property boundaries, modern look
Picket fence	2.0 m	$25-50	15-25 years	Front yards, decorative
Chain link	2.0 m	$10-20	15-20 years	Large properties, budget
Gabion	2.5-3.0 m	$80-150	50+ years	Slopes, noise barriers, luxury

Cost breakdown - decision table

Total fence cost depends on three variables: material, post type and labour. Here is how they stack up for a 50-meter panel fence:

Cost component	Budget	Mid-range	Premium
20 panels	$600	$900	$1,200
21 posts	$210	$315	$420
Labour (50 m)	$500	$750	$1,000
Total	$1,310	$1,965	$2,620

Practical examples

Small front yard (20 m, pickets, 1.2 m high): 2.0 m spacing = 10 sections + 11 posts. At $35/section + $10/post = $460 materials.

Full property (80 m, panels, 1.8 m, 1 gate + 1 wicket): 80 - 4 - 1 = 75 m effective. 2.5 m spacing = 30 panels + 31 posts.

Large rural property (200 m, chain link, 1.5 m): 2.0 m spacing = 100 sections + 101 posts. At $15/section + $8/post = $2,308.

Gabion wall (30 m, 2.0 m high, no gates): 3.0 m spacing = 10 baskets + 11 posts. At $120/basket + $20/post = $1,420 materials only.

DIY vs professional (50 m panels): DIY saves labour ($750) but adds tool rental (~$100) and a full weekend. Net saving: ~$650.

FAQ

Why is the post count always one more than the panel count?

Each panel sits between two posts. The first panel needs a post on each side (2 posts). Every additional panel shares a post with the previous one, so it only adds 1 new post. Formula: posts = panels + 1. For 20 panels you need 21 posts.

Should I round up or down on panel count?

Always round up. If you need 18.4 panels, buy 19. You can cut the last panel to fit, but you cannot stretch 18 panels to cover the gap. The calculator already rounds up for you.

Does the gate reduce the number of panels?

Yes. A 4-meter driveway gate replaces 1-2 panels (depending on spacing). A 1-meter wicket gate is narrower than a panel but still reduces the fence line. The calculator subtracts gate widths before calculating panel count.

What post spacing should I use for corner posts?

Corner posts are structural and should always be present at every turn. The calculator assumes a straight line. For L-shaped or complex layouts, calculate each straight section separately and add 1 extra post per corner.

How deep should fence posts be set?

General rule: one-third of total post length underground. For a 1.8 m fence, use 2.4 m posts with 0.6 m in the ground. In frost-prone areas, go below the frost line (typically 0.8-1.0 m) to prevent heaving.

Chain link vs panel fence - which is cheaper for 100 meters?

Chain link is significantly cheaper: ~$1,500-2,500 for 100 m vs ~$3,000-5,000 for panel fencing. The gap narrows with labour included since chain link requires tensioning tools. For privacy, panels win. For budget and long runs, chain link.

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