How deep should fence posts go?

At least one-third of the above-ground post height, and always below the local frost line — usually 2 to 3 feet of post in the ground for a 6-foot fence.

How far apart should the posts be?

6 to 8 feet on centre for a wood fence; closer spacing makes a stiffer fence. Vinyl fences are set by the panel width, usually 6 or 8 feet.

Do vinyl fence posts need more concrete than wood?

If anything, yes. Vinyl posts are hollow and light, so they rely on a full concrete footing — often with a wood or steel insert in a gate or end post — to resist wind and stay straight.

Fencing Calculators

A fence take-off is driven by the run length and the post spacing. The Fence Calculator turns those into a wood-fence materials list — line, end and gate posts, rails, pickets and the concrete per post hole — with the picket count adjusting for the gap you set (0 for a solid privacy fence). The Vinyl Fence Calculator works in pre-fab panels instead: panels between posts, the line, end, corner and gate posts to match, caps for each, and the concrete for the hollow posts, which need a full footing to stay plumb. Both give the post concrete in cubic feet so you can convert it to bags. Gate hardware and any decorative caps beyond the basic count are separate.

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