Fence planning · Updated November 3, 2026
Fence panel and post calculator
Estimate preassembled fence panels and posts from measured panel spans after gate openings, panel width, and your explicit end-post and gate counts.
Estimate preassembled panels and posts from your layout. Enter each unbroken panel span separately after subtracting gate openings; the calculator rounds each span up independently. It runs in your browser and does not choose fence spacing or structural details.
Enter values and calculate.
Measure each panel-only section between ends, corners or gate openings. For a gate in a straight run, subtract its opening and enter the remaining sections on either side separately. Choose the end-post count from your actual layout; posts can be shared or required at corners and terminations. This estimate excludes rails, pickets, caps, fasteners, concrete, gate hardware and other materials.
Sources and method
- Lowe's / Outdoor Essentials: Fence Calculator Worksheet for Preassembled Panels (2019; accessed November 3, 2026): subtract gate footage before calculating panel counts; divide by the selected panel width and round up; worksheet post estimate adds one per panel, an end post and one per gate. It describes itself as an estimate and notes projects may need additional materials.
For each entered section, estimated panels = ceil(section length ÷ selected panel width). Total estimated posts = total panels + your entered additional end posts + number of gates, following the worksheet's arithmetic. Panel counts are rounded separately for each span; cut-panel reuse is not assumed. This is a planning estimate, not a fence layout or structural recommendation. Verify dimensions, post placement, gate requirements, product instructions and local requirements for your project.
How it works
Measure each unbroken fence span after subtracting gate openings. Enter the spans separately so each panel count rounds up on its own, then enter the number of additional end posts required by your layout and the gate count.
Good to know
Quick answer: how many fence panels and posts do I need?
For each unbroken fence span, divide its measured length after gate openings by the selected panel width and round up to a whole panel. Add the panel counts across spans. For a worksheet-style post estimate, add one post per panel, the number of end posts you determine from the layout, and one post per gate. Reviewed November 3, 2026. This is an estimate; corners, shared posts, gate hardware and project details can change a takeoff.
How do I account for a gate opening?
Subtract the clear gate opening from the measured fence run, then enter each remaining unbroken panel span as its own length. If a gate divides a straight run into two sections, enter the span on each side separately. Enter each gate in the gate count field for the worksheet's additional one-post-per-gate calculation.
How many end posts should I enter?
Count the additional end posts required by your actual layout. The worksheet describes adding a post to end a fence run, but corners, shared posts, terminations and gate arrangements vary. This estimator leaves that count to you instead of assuming a layout.
Does the estimate include rails, pickets or gate hardware?
No. It estimates panel and post counts only. Check the selected fence system's instructions and a project-specific material list for rails, pickets, caps, fasteners, concrete, gate hardware, structural details and local requirements.
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