Post Spacing Calculator

Because fences rarely divide evenly. Pick the closest target and let the calculator give you the exact on-center spacing.

8 ft on center is the standard for wood privacy fence, since rails and pickets are sold to suit it. Chain link goes to 10 ft, horizontal board should stay at 6 ft, and panel fences must match the panel width exactly.

10 ft on center maximum for residential chain link, 8 ft for commercial or anything over 6 ft tall. Terminal, corner and gate posts are set first and the line posts are divided evenly between them.

Yes, always on center. Measuring edge to edge throws every section off by the post width, which compounds into a visibly short last section.

Not recommended. Standard rails are sold in 8 and 16 ft lengths, and a 10 ft span will sag under the picket weight within a couple of seasons.

8 ft for tight woven wire or livestock fence, up to 12 ft for light field fence on flat ground. Add a wood brace assembly at every corner and every 660 ft of straight run.

Twelve feet on center is standard for cattle on level ground, tightening to 8 to 10 ft for sheep, goats and rolling terrain. Corners and gates always get wood H-braces, never T-posts.

High tensile wire holds tension across 20 to 30 ft spans with fiberglass stays every 8 to 10 ft between posts. All the load sits on the end braces, so build those heavy and deep.

Twelve feet for woven field fence and 12 to 16 ft for barbed wire. Tighten to 8 ft anywhere cattle congregate — around water, feed bunks and gate openings.

Steel line posts on chain link go up to 10 ft on center residential and 8 ft commercial. Steel T-posts on wire fence follow the livestock spacing above rather than the chain link rule.

8 ft on center is the standard, because rails and panels are manufactured for that span. Drop to 6 ft for horizontal board fences, tall 8 ft privacy fences, or anywhere exposed to constant wind.

Twelve to 16 ft between T-posts with five strands, closer on slopes and curves. Use a stay or twisted wire between posts on long spans to keep the strands evenly separated.