How deep should post holes be?

The standard rule: one third of the post's above-ground height, or below the frost line, whichever is deeper. For a 6 ft fence in non-freezing climate (most of Pakistan), dig 2 ft. In freeze-thaw climates (Quetta, Gilgit, mountainous regions), go 3 to 4 ft to prevent frost heave from gradually lifting the posts out of the ground over winters. In sandy or loose soil, deeper is always safer — a fence post that wobbles in year three is a fence that has to be redone.

60 lb or 80 lb concrete bags?

80 lb bags mean fewer trips to the hardware store and fewer bags to count. 60 lb bags are easier to physically lift, which matters when you are setting 15 posts solo on a Saturday. Cost per cubic foot is roughly the same either way. For 15-plus posts, consider buying in cubic-yard bulk delivery from a concrete supplier — much cheaper per cubic foot than bagged, and the supplier brings the right amount mixed and ready to pour.

Should I add gravel under the post?

Yes, always. 4 to 6 inches of gravel at the bottom of each hole improves drainage and prevents water from pooling against the post base — and water-induced rot is the number-one failure mode for wooden fence posts. Set the post on the gravel, plumb it carefully, then pour concrete around it. The gravel buys you years of extra post life for the cost of one bag of crushed stone for a typical fence.

Premium Converters

Fence Calculator

Construction

Estimate posts, panels, rails, and concrete bags for a fence. Plan-view diagram + 60lb / 80lb concrete bag counts.

Construction

Fence Calculator

Generated on May 23, 2026

Total fence length (ft)

Post spacing (ft)

6-8 ft typical for residential

Gates

Rails per section

2-3 horizontal rails typical

Post hole depth (ft)

1/3 of post above-ground height

Save / share— download or share to WhatsApp, Facebook & more

Premium Converters

Fence Material Estimate

15 posts · 12 panels for 100 ft fence

Generated

5/23/2026

Plan view (15 posts)

Materials

Posts

Panels / sections

Rails

Sections

Concrete

10.5 ft³

60 lb bags

80 lb bags

Gates

Step-by-step calculation

Formula

# posts = ceil(length / spacing) + 1 + gates. # sections = ceil(length / spacing). # rails = sections × rails-per-section. Concrete per post = π·(4/12)²·depth (8-inch hole).

1Length: 100 ft, post spacing: 8 ft.
2# sections = ceil(100 / 8) = 13.
3# posts = 13 + 1 (end) + 1 (gate posts) = 15.
4# rails = 13 × 3 = 39.
5Concrete per post (8-inch diameter hole, 2 ft deep) = π × (4/12)² × 2 ≈ 0.70 ft³.
6Total concrete: 10.47 ft³ → 24 × 60 lb bags or 18 × 80 lb bags.

Quick Answer

Estimate posts, panels, rails, and concrete bags for a fence. Plan-view diagram + 60lb / 80lb concrete bag counts.

Overview — Fence Calculator

Construction

The Fence Calculator estimates how many posts, fence panels (or sections between posts), horizontal rails, and bags of concrete you'll need for a fence project. Inputs: total length, post spacing (typically 6-8 ft for residential), number of gates (which add an extra post), rails per section, and post-hole depth. Outputs include both 60 lb and 80 lb concrete bag counts based on a standard 8-inch-diameter post hole.

Formula

# posts = ceil(length ÷ spacing) + 1 + gates. # sections = ceil(length ÷ spacing). # rails = sections × rails-per-section. Concrete per post (8″ hole) = π × (4/12)² × depth_ft ≈ 0.349 × depth ft³.

By Muhammad Salman SaleemUpdated: May 23, 2026MethodologyFree, no sign-upRuns in your browser — your data stays private

From the editors — what to know before you start

Building a fence sounds simple until you order the materials and realise you forgot something — usually it is the gate post (gates need their own dedicated hinge post that the run calculation does not include) or the concrete (each post hole takes more than people guess). This calculator handles total length, post spacing (typically 6 to 8 feet for residential), gates (each adds one post), rails per section, and post-hole depth, and outputs post count, panel count, rail count, and concrete bag count in both 60 lb and 80 lb sizes based on a standard 8-inch-diameter hole. The math nobody walks you through upfront: a 100 ft fence with 8 ft spacing and one gate needs 15 posts, not 13. The plus-one is for the closing end of the run, and the gate adds another. Concrete-wise, each 8-inch hole 2 ft deep takes about 0.7 cubic feet, so 15 posts need roughly 10.5 cubic feet — which is 24 bags of 60 lb or 18 bags of 80 lb. Honest take: dig holes at least one-third the post's above-ground height (2 ft for a 6 ft fence), add 4 to 6 inches of gravel at the bottom of each hole for drainage, and never skip the gravel — water-induced rot is the number-one fence post failure mode in Pakistani residential. The fence lasts decades longer for the cost of one bag of crushed stone.

Pro tips most people learn the hard way

Always add one extra post for the closing end of the run, plus one extra post per gate. A 100 ft fence with 8 ft spacing and one gate is 15 posts, not 13 — the plus-one and the gate post are the easiest details to forget at ordering time.
Each 8-inch diameter post hole 2 ft deep takes about 0.7 cubic feet of concrete, which is 1.5 bags of 60 lb or 1.2 bags of 80 lb. For 15 posts that adds up to 24 bags of 60 lb or 18 bags of 80 lb. Order the larger size for fewer trips; the smaller size for easier lifting solo.
Add 4 to 6 inches of gravel at the bottom of each post hole before setting the post and pouring concrete. The gravel drains away water that would otherwise pool against the post and cause rot — the number one failure mode for Pakistani wooden fence posts in monsoon climate.
Standard rule for hole depth: one-third the post's above-ground height. For a 6 ft fence, dig 2 ft. In freeze-thaw climates (Quetta, Gilgit, mountain areas), go 3 to 4 ft to prevent frost heave gradually lifting the posts. Sandy or loose soil always justifies going deeper.
Match post spacing to your panel width — 6 ft or 8 ft are the two universal options. Mismatching spacing forces you to cut panels in the field, which slows the job and produces visible inconsistencies. For chain-link rolls, 8 ft is standard; for wood privacy panels, 6 or 8 ft both work.

?What is the Fence Calculator?

The Formula

# posts = ceil(length ÷ spacing) + 1 + gates. # sections = ceil(length ÷ spacing). # rails = sections × rails-per-section. Concrete per post (8″ hole) = π × (4/12)² × depth_ft ≈ 0.349 × depth ft³.

Each gate requires its own post (the 'hinge post'), so add one extra post per gate to the formula. The +1 in the post count accounts for the closing end of the fence run. For concrete: an 8-inch-diameter post hole 2 ft deep takes about 0.7 cubic feet of concrete; a 60 lb bag yields ~0.45 ft³ and an 80 lb bag yields ~0.6 ft³. Rule of thumb: post hole depth = 1/3 of the post's above-ground height, so a 6 ft fence needs 2 ft holes.

Practical Examples

100 ft fence, 8 ft spacing, 1 gate: ceil(100/8) = 13 sections + 1 end + 1 gate = 15 posts.

Concrete: 15 posts × 0.7 ft³ ≈ 10.5 ft³ → 24 × 60 lb bags or 18 × 80 lb bags.

200 ft of agricultural fence (livestock) typically uses 10-12 ft post spacing, 4 strands of barbed wire (4 'rails' equivalent).

Privacy fences (6-8 ft tall) use 8 ft spacing and 3 horizontal rails (top, middle, bottom).

Picket fences (3-4 ft) use 8 ft spacing and 2 rails. Don't forget end-of-row gate posts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Because standard fence panels and chain-link rolls come in 6 to 8 ft widths. Matching your post spacing to the panel width means you do not have to cut panels in the field, which saves time and produces a cleaner-looking fence. For wood-rail fences, 8 ft is the dominant spacing globally because lumber is sold in 8 ft standard lengths — anything else means cutting and waste. Pakistani residential fences often use 6 ft because shorter rails sag less and are easier for one person to lift during install.

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Jump to a ready-made conversion — useful for quick reference and sharing:

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Premium Converters

Fence Calculator

Construction

Estimate posts, panels, rails, and concrete bags for a fence. Plan-view diagram + 60lb / 80lb concrete bag counts.

Construction

Fence Calculator

Generated on May 23, 2026

Total fence length (ft)

Post spacing (ft)

6-8 ft typical for residential

Gates

Rails per section

2-3 horizontal rails typical

Post hole depth (ft)

1/3 of post above-ground height

Save / share— download or share to WhatsApp, Facebook & more

Premium Converters

Fence Material Estimate

15 posts · 12 panels for 100 ft fence

Generated

5/23/2026

Plan view (15 posts)

Materials

Posts

Panels / sections

Rails

Sections

Concrete

10.5 ft³

60 lb bags

80 lb bags

Gates

Step-by-step calculation

Formula

# posts = ceil(length / spacing) + 1 + gates. # sections = ceil(length / spacing). # rails = sections × rails-per-section. Concrete per post = π·(4/12)²·depth (8-inch hole).

1Length: 100 ft, post spacing: 8 ft.
2# sections = ceil(100 / 8) = 13.
3# posts = 13 + 1 (end) + 1 (gate posts) = 15.
4# rails = 13 × 3 = 39.
5Concrete per post (8-inch diameter hole, 2 ft deep) = π × (4/12)² × 2 ≈ 0.70 ft³.
6Total concrete: 10.47 ft³ → 24 × 60 lb bags or 18 × 80 lb bags.

Quick Answer

Estimate posts, panels, rails, and concrete bags for a fence. Plan-view diagram + 60lb / 80lb concrete bag counts.

Overview — Fence Calculator

Construction

Formula

# posts = ceil(length ÷ spacing) + 1 + gates. # sections = ceil(length ÷ spacing). # rails = sections × rails-per-section. Concrete per post (8″ hole) = π × (4/12)² × depth_ft ≈ 0.349 × depth ft³.

By Muhammad Salman SaleemUpdated: May 23, 2026MethodologyFree, no sign-upRuns in your browser — your data stays private

From the editors — what to know before you start

Pro tips most people learn the hard way

Always add one extra post for the closing end of the run, plus one extra post per gate. A 100 ft fence with 8 ft spacing and one gate is 15 posts, not 13 — the plus-one and the gate post are the easiest details to forget at ordering time.
Each 8-inch diameter post hole 2 ft deep takes about 0.7 cubic feet of concrete, which is 1.5 bags of 60 lb or 1.2 bags of 80 lb. For 15 posts that adds up to 24 bags of 60 lb or 18 bags of 80 lb. Order the larger size for fewer trips; the smaller size for easier lifting solo.
Add 4 to 6 inches of gravel at the bottom of each post hole before setting the post and pouring concrete. The gravel drains away water that would otherwise pool against the post and cause rot — the number one failure mode for Pakistani wooden fence posts in monsoon climate.
Standard rule for hole depth: one-third the post's above-ground height. For a 6 ft fence, dig 2 ft. In freeze-thaw climates (Quetta, Gilgit, mountain areas), go 3 to 4 ft to prevent frost heave gradually lifting the posts. Sandy or loose soil always justifies going deeper.
Match post spacing to your panel width — 6 ft or 8 ft are the two universal options. Mismatching spacing forces you to cut panels in the field, which slows the job and produces visible inconsistencies. For chain-link rolls, 8 ft is standard; for wood privacy panels, 6 or 8 ft both work.

?What is the Fence Calculator?

The Formula

Practical Examples

100 ft fence, 8 ft spacing, 1 gate: ceil(100/8) = 13 sections + 1 end + 1 gate = 15 posts.

Concrete: 15 posts × 0.7 ft³ ≈ 10.5 ft³ → 24 × 60 lb bags or 18 × 80 lb bags.

200 ft of agricultural fence (livestock) typically uses 10-12 ft post spacing, 4 strands of barbed wire (4 'rails' equivalent).

Privacy fences (6-8 ft tall) use 8 ft spacing and 3 horizontal rails (top, middle, bottom).

Picket fences (3-4 ft) use 8 ft spacing and 2 rails. Don't forget end-of-row gate posts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Popular Conversions

Jump to a ready-made conversion — useful for quick reference and sharing:

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Estimate paint in litres or gallons from room dimensions, coats and coverage, subtracting doors and windows — works for interior emulsion and exterior weather coats.

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Compute cement bags, sand and aggregate in m3 for slabs, footings, beams and columns using M15, M20 or M25 mix ratios with the 1.54 dry-volume factor.

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Estimate bricks, mortar, cement bags and sand for a single wall or a 4-wall plot. Supports 22 brick & block standards, ft+in or metric input, openings deduction, and 2D + 3D visualizations.

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Fence Calculator — posts | Premium Converters

Premium Converters

Premium Converters

Fence Calculator

Fence Calculator

Fence Material Estimate

Plan view (15 posts)

Step-by-step calculation

Overview — Fence Calculator

From the editors — what to know before you start

Pro tips most people learn the hard way

?What is the Fence Calculator?

The Formula

Practical Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

Popular Conversions

Embed this calculator on your site

Browse other categories

Premium Converters

Fence Calculator

Fence Calculator

Fence Material Estimate

Plan view (15 posts)

Step-by-step calculation

Overview — Fence Calculator

From the editors — what to know before you start

Pro tips most people learn the hard way

?What is the Fence Calculator?

The Formula

Practical Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

Popular Conversions

Embed this calculator on your site

Browse other categories

Premium Converters

Premium Converters

Fence Calculator

Fence Calculator

Plan view (15 posts)

Step-by-step calculation

Overview — Fence Calculator

From the editors — what to know before you start

Pro tips most people learn the hard way

?What is the Fence Calculator?

The Formula

Practical Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is post spacing usually 6-8 ft?

How deep should post holes be?

60 lb or 80 lb concrete bags?

Should I add gravel under the post?

Popular Conversions

Embed this calculator on your site

More Construction Tools

Browse other categories

Premium Converters

Fence Calculator

Fence Calculator

Plan view (15 posts)

Step-by-step calculation

Overview — Fence Calculator

From the editors — what to know before you start

Pro tips most people learn the hard way

?What is the Fence Calculator?

The Formula

Practical Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is post spacing usually 6-8 ft?

How deep should post holes be?

60 lb or 80 lb concrete bags?

Should I add gravel under the post?

Popular Conversions

Embed this calculator on your site

More Construction Tools

Browse other categories