Fence material planning: runs, gates and posts
A total perimeter is not enough to locate corners, subtract a gate or count post locations. Organize the straight runs first, then check the actual fence system.
Hypothetical open-run fence. Hole sizes and prices below are arithmetic examples, not structural recommendations or real project results. Closed loops, slopes and bracing are outside this planner's model.
1. Sketch the endpoints and the shared corner
Our example has two straight runs: 40 ft and 24 ft, joined at one corner. A single 4 ft gate opening belongs to the first run, starting 8 ft from its beginning. “Shared corner posts = 1” means one physical corner is used by both runs. Count that location once, not once per run.
Record property boundaries and easements before laying out the line. Ask the relevant utility-locate service and utility providers about underground services before digging. Local permit, setback and fence-height rules may also affect the plan. A drawing is not a boundary survey.
2. Count panel spans separately for each run
Assume the chosen fence system allows an actual installed span of at most 8 ft. Run 1 has 40 − 4 = 36 ft of solid fence: 36 ÷ 8 = 4.5, rounded up to 5 spans. Run 2 has 24 ÷ 8 = 3 spans. With the gate at 8 ft, the first run has one 8 ft section before the gate and 28 ft after it: 1 + 4 = 5 spans. The allowance is eight panels in total.
A gate in the middle can change the count. If the same opening begins 18 ft along run 1, the two solid sections are 18 ft and 18 ft. Each needs three spans, giving six on run 1 and nine panels overall. The planner rounds each side separately. Check actual gate-post clearances and manufacturer attachment details before cutting or ordering.
3. Count physical posts, not spare panels
For this open-run model, posts equal panel spans + run count + gate opening count − shared corner count. Here, 8 + 2 + 1 − 1 = 10 post locations. Gate-post strength, hinge loads, braces and the fence system may require different post products at some locations.
A spare panel is an extra purchase, not an extra installed span, so it should not create another post location. Put spare stock or upgraded gate posts into Other costs and explain the scope in notes. For disconnected runs, enter zero shared corners; do not use this arithmetic for a fully closed perimeter.
4. Calculate concrete from entered hole dimensions
To demonstrate volume only, enter round holes 12 inches in diameter and 24 inches deep, and square posts with an actual width of 3.5 inches. One hole's concrete volume is [π × (1 ft)² ÷ 4 − (3.5 ÷ 12 ft)²] × 2 ft, approximately 1.400657 cubic ft.
Ten identical holes with 10% extra require about 15.407231 cubic ft. At a listed yield of 0.60 cubic ft per bag, round the final purchase up to 26 bags. Do not round each hole's bag count separately unless you are deliberately buying separate batches.
These sizes are not a recommended footing design. Soil, frost depth, fence height, wind exposure, local requirements and product instructions control actual holes and embedment. Bell-shaped holes and site over-excavation are not modeled.
5. Price the selected system and check omitted items
Using invented teaching prices of $60/panel, $22/post, $7/bag and $140 for one gate assembly, the listed-material subtotal is 8 × 60 + 10 × 22 + 26 × 7 + 140 = $1,022. That is not a contractor quote or a typical local installed fence price.
Verify rails, brackets, caps, hinges, latches, fasteners, post upgrades, disposal, labor, transport and tax. Record exact installed spans, actual post dimensions and mix yield. Use the fence worksheet to separate known costs from blank prices and print your preparation checklist.
Sources and review scope
CalcCaddy prepared these original geometry and counting examples. Automated calculation checks are not a licensed structural review or a firsthand fence-building report.