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Landscaping · fence quantity tool

Fence Panel Calculator

Estimate panel bays and base post positions from the real fence run and the dimensions of the fencing system you actually intend to use.

0% extra panels by defaultActual panel widthPosts kept explicit
Landscaping illustration for the Fence Panel Calculator

Set out a simple straight fence run

Measure one continuous panelled run at a time. If a gate, corner or change of direction splits the fence, calculate each straight section separately rather than adding unlike runs together.

m
Measure the straight run that will actually contain panels. Exclude gate openings if they are being treated separately.
m
Use the real width of the panel you are buying—not an assumed “standard” size.
mm
Only enter this if the chosen post/panel system adds measurable width to each installed bay. Leave blank if your setting-out figure is panel width alone.
posts
Add only known extra post positions for gates, corners, changes of direction or other layout details.
%
Optional spare/cutting allowance. Starts at 0%; it does not add installed post positions.
Base-post rule: for one simple straight run, each installed panel bay is supported at both edges, so the base layout uses one more post position than installed panel bays. Gates, corners and split runs must be handled explicitly.
Enter the measured run and actual panel width.The result will keep panel quantity, base post positions and any additional posts separate.

How the fence panel quantity is calculated

The calculator builds the estimate from the installed bay width you supply. The bay pitch is the actual panel width plus any post contribution that genuinely forms part of each repeated bay in your chosen system.

1. Measure one straight run

Use the actual panelled length. Treat gates, corners and separate fence segments explicitly.

2. Use the chosen system dimensions

Enter the real panel width and only add post contribution if that system requires it for setting-out.

3. Keep spares separate

The panel allowance changes the order quantity only; it does not create extra installed bays or base posts.

Base panels = ceil(measured run ÷ installed bay pitch)

Installed bay pitch = panel width + entered post contribution. For one simple straight run, base post positions = base panels + 1.

Worked quantity example

For a 10.00 m straight panelled run using 1.83 m panels and no additional post contribution, 10.00 ÷ 1.83 = 5.46, so the layout needs 6 panel bays and 7 base post positions.

If your chosen post-and-panel system says the post geometry contributes to each bay, enter that real contribution before relying on the panel count. A partial final bay normally means a cut-down/custom panel or a rebalanced site layout—not that the decimal can simply be ignored.

Why there is no default panel width

Many traditional UK fence panels are around 6 ft / 1.83 m wide, but current products and systems are not identical. Jacksons Fencing describes 1.83 m as its standard panel width, while Wickes currently lists examples at both 1.83 m and 1.80 m widths. Forest Garden also warns installers to account for the exact panel width and how panels are fixed to posts. The calculator therefore leaves the product width blank rather than silently assuming one dimension.

Current UK examples checked for this pass

Jacksons Fencing panel sizes · Jacksons run / post-width guidance · Forest Garden fencing setting-out guidance · Wickes current fence-panel range

Base posts, extra posts and spare panels are different things

The base post count is the repeated support layout for one straight run. Additional posts are entered separately for known corners, gates or other special positions. Extra panel allowance is also separate: spare panels do not imply extra installed posts.

Quantity estimate only. This tool does not choose post size, post depth, post spacing for non-panel fencing, gravel boards, foundations, fixings or a safe fence design. Check the exact fencing system, site conditions and manufacturer installation instructions before ordering or digging.

Continue the fence estimate

Fence Materials Estimator

Work through panels, special post positions and post-mix as a project rather than one combined guess.

Postcrete Bag Calculator

After the real post count is known, estimate post-mix from the actual product quantity required per post.

Fence Materials Guide

Check bays, ends, gates, corners and site conditions before ordering materials.

Frequently asked questions

Are all UK fence panels 1.83 m wide?

No. 1.83 m is common, but current products also use other widths and system dimensions. Enter the actual panel you intend to use.

Why might I need to enter a post contribution?

Some systems occupy part of the total run with post width or a post projection. Use only the dimension specified by the chosen system; otherwise leave the field blank.

Is the post count always panels plus one?

Only for one simple straight run represented by this base calculation. Gates, corners, changes of direction and multiple separate runs can alter the required post positions.

Does this calculate Postcrete or gravel boards?

No. Foundation material and gravel-board requirements depend on the chosen system and site. Use the Postcrete calculator only after the real post count and product requirement per post are known.