Decking, Fencing & Timber calculator
Fence Calculator
Estimate fence panels or bays and basic post count from total run, standard bay width and gate openings.
Estimate fence panels or bays and basic post count from total run, standard bay width and gate openings. Before calculating, confirm the measured geometry and any product specification entered into the form. Small errors in gates, corners and panel width can become significant across a full project. Measured boundary length rarely divides perfectly by stock panels. Allow for cut bays, corner/end posts, gate posts and the manufacturer's actual panel width.
What you need to enter
The Fence Calculator uses the following project information to calculate the result.
- Fence run
- Panel / bay width
- Gates
- Gate width
Calculator result
Panels / bays and posts
How the Fence Calculator works
This page is built around net run after gates ÷ panel width; derives posts. Applied to fence panels or bays and posts for a boundary run, the engine first converts compatible measurements to a common basis and then calculates panels / bays and posts. Verify gates, corners and panel width before treating the output as a buying, sizing or set-out figure.
Fence Calculator worked example
Fence Calculator example: a 21 m boundary includes a 1.0 m gate and uses 1.8 m standard panels. The calculator removes the gate width, estimates whole panel/bay count and derives the basic posts before corner or gate-post adjustments. This example shows the arithmetic only; on a live job, review gates, corners and panel width before turning the result into an order or final size.
Important calculation assumptions
For fence panels or bays and posts for a boundary run, measured boundary length rarely divides perfectly by stock panels. Allow for cut bays, corner/end posts, gate posts and the manufacturer's actual panel width.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to enter before the Fence Calculator can give a useful result?
Start with the real project rather than nominal dimensions. Measure the complete fence run, then enter real panel/bay width and all gate openings. Corners and special posts should be counted separately. That gives the Fence Calculator the inputs it needs for fence panels or bays and posts for a boundary run.
Why should I prioritise gates, corners and panel width over extra decimal precision in the Fence Calculator?
Do not chase extra decimal precision in the Fence Calculator until you have realistic values for gates, corners and panel width. Measured boundary length rarely divides perfectly by stock panels. Allow for cut bays, corner/end posts, gate posts and the manufacturer's actual panel width.
What should I add to the Fence Calculator result for gates, corners and end posts?
For the Fence Calculator, use the result in context: use the panel/bay and basic post count as a layout take-off. Add corner, end, return and gate posts appropriate to the actual fence system.