Free Fence Panel Calculator — Panels & Posts (2026)

How to Use This Calculator

1. 1Measure the total fence length along your property line in feet.
2. 2Enter the panel width — standard pre-made panels are 8 feet wide (most common) or 6 feet wide.
3. 3Click Calculate to get the number of panels, posts, and post caps needed.
4. 4Add gate kits separately — each gate requires its own frame and hardware.

About This Material

Pre-made fence panels are factory-assembled sections that include pickets already attached to horizontal rails, ready to mount between posts. They offer significant time savings over building a fence board-by-board — a professional crew can install 100 to 150 feet of panel fence per day versus 50 to 75 feet for stick-built fencing. Standard panel sizes are 8 feet wide by 6 feet tall, though 6-foot-wide and 4-foot-tall panels are also common. Panel styles include solid privacy, shadowbox, lattice-top, dog-ear, flat-top, and scalloped profiles. Prices range from $40 to $80 per panel for treated pine, $70 to $130 for cedar, and $80 to $200 for vinyl or composite panels. Panel fences use the same 4x4 pressure-treated posts as stick-built fences, but the panels mount between posts rather than on the face. This requires precise post spacing — if your posts are even 1 inch off, the panel will not fit correctly. Most builders set all posts first at exact panel-width spacing, then drop the panels into brackets. Mounting hardware includes panel brackets ($3 to $8 per set), panel screws (8 to 12 per panel), and post caps ($3 to $15 each). For professional results, use panel brackets on every rail rather than toe-nailing — brackets make future panel replacement simple. Post caps serve both decorative and protective purposes. They shed water away from the post end grain, which is the most vulnerable entry point for moisture and rot. Flat wood caps cost $2 to $5 each, while copper, solar-lit, or decorative metal caps range from $8 to $25 each. Even a basic flat cap extends post life by 3 to 5 years.

Installation Tips

• •Set all posts at exactly the panel width apart, measured from inside face to inside face.
• •Use a string line and a spacing jig between posts to maintain consistent spacing.
• •Mount panel brackets to posts first, then slide panels into the brackets from the top.
• •Keep the bottom of the panel 2 to 4 inches above ground level to prevent moisture wicking.
• •For sloped ground, step the panels rather than angling them for a cleaner look.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ⚠Not measuring post spacing precisely — pre-made panels cannot be adjusted in width.
• ⚠Placing panels on the ground — panels touching soil rot within 2 to 3 years, even with treated wood.
• ⚠Skipping post caps — exposed end grain absorbs water, causing posts to split and rot from the top.
• ⚠Trying to use panels on steeply sloped terrain — standard panels are rectangular and do not follow slopes.
• ⚠Not buying extra panels — cutting for corners and angles wastes material. Buy 10% extra.

Related Calculators