Fence Panel and Post Calculator
Enter the length of fence, the width of your panels and any gates. You get the panels, posts and gravel boards to buy.
This is an estimate. Check the exact panel width with your supplier, as some are slightly narrower than the nominal size.
Worked examples
A 12 metre fence
12 m, 1.83 m panels, no gates
7 panels, 8 posts, 7 gravel boards
The panels cover 12.81 m.
With a gate
12 m including a 1 m gate
7 panels, 9 posts
The gate splits the fence into two sections, adding a post.
About Fence Panel and Post Calculator
A fence calculator counts the panels, posts and gravel boards for a run of fence. The number of panels is the length of fence, less any gates, divided by the width of one panel, rounded up. A standard UK panel is 6 feet wide, or 1.83 metres. Posts are one more than the panels in each straight run, because neighbouring panels share a post.
Gates split a run in two and so add a post, and so does each separate section, such as a fence down each side of a garden. Corners share a post, so they do not add one. The result also shows how much of the last panel is spare, which helps you decide whether to cut a panel down or move a post.
How to use Fence Panel and Post Calculator
- Enter the total length of fence and the width of a panel.
- Enter the number of gates and the width of each.
- Enter the number of separate straight sections.
- Read the panels, posts and gravel boards to buy.
Common uses
- Fencing a back garden
- Replacing a boundary fence
- Closing off a side passage
- Pricing a fencing job
Frequently asked questions
How many fence panels do I need for 12 m?
With 1.83 m panels you need 7 panels, which cover 12.81 m, leaving 0.81 m spare. In one straight run that needs 8 posts.
How many posts do I need?
One more than the panels for each straight run. A gate adds one more because it splits the run.
What if the last panel does not fit?
You can cut a panel to size, move the posts a little, or use a narrower panel. The tool shows the spare length on the last panel.
What size are standard fence panels?
The common widths are 1.83 m, or 6 feet, and the heights are usually 0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8 and 1.83 m. Check the real size, as panels can be slightly narrower than the nominal one.
Do I need gravel boards?
They are recommended. A gravel board keeps the bottom of the panel clear of the soil, so the panel lasts longer. You need one for each panel.