On center / last section / gates / corners
Fence Post Spacing Calculator
A 100 ft wood run at 96 in on center, with one 4 ft gate, takes 14 posts: 1 end, 11 line and 2 gate. The last section is 7 ft 6 3/4 in, shorter than the spacing.
Your estimate
14 posts
100 ft of wood fence at 96 in on center: 12 sections, a last section of 7 ft 6 3/4 in.
- End posts1
- Line posts11
- Gate posts2
- Sections12
- Last section7 ft 6 3/4 in
How the posts are placed
- Start from the run: 100 ft is 1,200 in. Each gate takes its 48 in opening, a 1 in hinge gap and a 3/4 in latch gap, and the 3 1/2 in post it hangs on: 53.25 in from the first post's center.
- Cut what is left into sections of 96 in center to center. The 1,146.75 in past the gate make 12 sections, and the last of them is 7 ft 6 3/4 in, short of the spacing.
- The posts are one at each end of a section and one at each edge of a gate; a post shared by two sides, a corner, counts once. The planner places them and counts the total, so this page and the fence calculator agree.
- Each post’s depth and the concrete for its hole are on the post depth page and in the bags of concrete per post answer.
- Wood line spacing, planner default
- 96 inMaster Halco PostMaster wood product book (2018)
- Gate hinge gap
- 1 inBufftech molded and extruded fence installation guide (2201)
- Gate latch gap
- 3/4 inBufftech molded and extruded fence installation guide (2201)
- 4x4 post, actual width
- 3 1/2 inNIST PS 20-25, American Softwood Lumber Standard (Jan 2025)
Most each maker prints, by fence type
| Fence | Maker and product | Printed spacing | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | Master Halco, PostMaster | Rail length plus 1 1/2 in: 97 1/2 in for an 8 ft rail | Master Halco PostMaster Traditional installation guide |
| Vinyl | Bufftech, 5x5 posts | 97 in on center | Bufftech molded and extruded fence installation guide (2201) |
| Vinyl | Bufftech, 4x4 posts | 96 in on center | Bufftech molded and extruded fence installation guide (2201) |
| Vinyl | Homeland | 71 in to 95 in centers | Homeland Vinyl fence style sheet (Rev E, 2024) |
| Aluminum | Jerith, Liberty 6 ft sections | 72 1/2 in on center | Jerith aluminum fence installation instructions |
| Aluminum | Jerith, Regency 8 ft sections, 2 in posts | 90 in on center | Jerith aluminum fence installation instructions |
| Aluminum | Fortress A2, 6 ft panel | Maximum 69 1/4 in (2 1/2 in post), 69 3/4 in (3 in post) | Fortress A2 aluminum fence instructions |
| Aluminum | Fortress A2, 8 ft panel | Maximum 91.56 in (2 1/2 in post), 92.06 in (3 in post) | Fortress A2 aluminum fence instructions |
| Aluminum | Barrette, pre-built, 6 ft sections | 72 3/4 in from center to center, 2 in posts | Barrette aluminum pre-built fence installation instructions |
| Aluminum | Freedom, pre-assembled, 6 ft sections | 72 3/4 in, 2 in posts | Freedom aluminum pre-assembled fence installation instructions |
| Chain link | Merchants Metals | No more than 10 ft apart | Merchants Metals chain link fence specification 32 31 13 (2014) |
| Chain link | Master Halco, chain link spec template | Two options for the designer: 8 ft on center, or a maximum of 10 ft | Master Halco chain link fence specification template |
Bufftech's maximum by wind and footing
| Wind exposure | Footing depth | Most on center |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure B | 24 in | 66 in Bufftech molded and extruded fence installation guide (2201) |
| Exposure B | 30 in | 97 in Bufftech molded and extruded fence installation guide (2201) |
| Exposure C | 30 in | 68 in Bufftech molded and extruded fence installation guide (2201) |
| Exposure C | 36 in | 88 in Bufftech molded and extruded fence installation guide (2201) |
| Exposure D | 30 in | 56 in Bufftech molded and extruded fence installation guide (2201) |
| Exposure D | 36 in | 75 in Bufftech molded and extruded fence installation guide (2201) |
Where the makers disagree
How far apart wood line posts go
- 97 1/2 in: the rail length plus 1 1/2 in for an 8 ft railMaster Halco PostMaster Traditional installation guide
- 96 in: the shortest 2x4 rail sold, 8 ftMaster Halco PostMaster wood product book (2018)
96 in, the planner's, so an 8 ft rail spans its section with nothing cut. Master Halco’s rule is a spacing for the rail you buy, not a limit; enter the larger figure above if your rail is longer.
Aluminum, 6 ft sections: the spacing each maker gives
- 72 1/2 in (Jerith, Liberty)Jerith aluminum fence installation instructions
- 72 3/4 in (Barrette, 2 in posts)Barrette aluminum pre-built fence installation instructions
- 72 3/4 in (Freedom, 2 in posts)Freedom aluminum pre-assembled fence installation instructions
- 69 1/4 in maximum (Fortress, 2 1/2 in post)Fortress A2 aluminum fence instructions
72 1/2 in, Jerith’s, as the default for aluminum: it is the spacing its own sheet gives for that style. Fortress’s maximum is shorter, so a Fortress fence has to be set at or under it, whichever figure the other makers print.
Vinyl posts: how far apart, by maker and wind
- 97 in (Bufftech, 5x5 posts)Bufftech molded and extruded fence installation guide (2201)
- 95 in (Homeland, its longer fence)Homeland Vinyl fence style sheet (Rev E, 2024)
- 56 in (Bufftech, wind exposure D, 30 in footing)Bufftech molded and extruded fence installation guide (2201)
97 in, Bufftech’s, the top of its wind table. A fence in a strong wind, or with a shallow footing, takes the shorter figure from that table; the spacing field above takes any value.
Chain link line posts
- No more than 10 ft (Merchants Metals)Merchants Metals chain link fence specification 32 31 13 (2014)
- 8 ft on center or a maximum of 10 ft, the designer’s choice (Master Halco)Master Halco chain link fence specification template
10 ft, the maximum both print. Master Halco’s spec template also offers 8 ft on center as an option; a shorter spacing adds posts.
Fence post spacing questions
How far apart should fence posts be?
Wood posts go 96 in on center by default, Bufftech vinyl 97 in with 5x5 posts, Jerith aluminum 72 1/2 in in 6 ft sections, and chain link no more than 10 ft. Pick the fence type above to see the spacing its maker prints.
What is the maximum post spacing for a wood fence?
Master Halco sets its line posts at the rail length plus 1 1/2 in, which is 97 1/2 in for an 8 ft rail. The calculator uses 96 in, the length of that 8 ft rail, so each rail spans one bay with nothing cut.
How far apart are vinyl fence posts?
Bufftech prints 97 in for 5x5 posts and 96 in for 4x4. Its wind table allows less: 56 in in wind exposure D over a 30 in footing. Homeland prints 71 in to 95 in.
How far apart are aluminum fence posts?
Jerith gives 72 1/2 in on center for its 6 ft Liberty sections. Fortress A2 gives a maximum of 69 1/4 in for a 6 ft panel with a 2 1/2 in post, and 91.56 in for an 8 ft panel; the same panels with a 3 in post allow 69 3/4 in and 92.06 in.
How far apart are chain link line posts?
Merchants Metals allows line posts up to 10 ft apart on center. Master Halco’s spec template leaves the designer two options: 8 ft on center, or a maximum of 10 ft.
What happens to the last section of a run?
Unless you ask for equal sections, the planner cuts the last section of a stretch short. On the 100 ft example it is 7 ft 6 3/4 in; its rails and pickets are cut to that length. Turn on equal sections and every section of a stretch shares the length out evenly.
How do gates change the number of posts?
Each gate takes its opening, the hinge and latch gaps, and two gate posts, one at each edge of the opening. The default 48 in gate, with a 1 in hinge gap and a 3/4 in latch gap, uses 53.25 in of the run.
Does a corner need its own post?
A corner is one post shared by the two sides, so the count adds one post for each corner rather than two. Enter the second side in the form to see the corner post in the count; the sides turn 90 degrees.
A planning aid, not an engineering calculation: your local code and building inspector have the final word. Terms