T-Post Calculator

Split the fence into straight segments between corners, ends and gates. Each segment needs its length divided by the post spacing, rounded up, minus one. A 1,320 ft straight run at 12 ft spacing needs 109 T-posts plus a braced post at each end.

Many wire fences are built with T-posts about 8 to 12 ft apart; closer spacing makes a stiffer fence for livestock that push on it, and woven wire or electric wire manufacturers publish their own recommended spacing. Put the spacing you plan to use in the calculator — it evens the posts out over each segment.

The fence height plus the depth you drive the post, rounded up to a standard length. A 48 inch fence with posts driven 24 inches needs 72 inches — a 6 ft T-post. A 60 inch fence driven 30 inches needs 7.5 ft posts.

Standard studded T-posts made to ASTM A702 weigh 1.33 lb per foot, so a 6 ft post is about 8 lb and 100 of them about 800 lb. Lighter 1.25 lb per foot posts are also sold; they are cheaper but bend more easily when driven into hard ground.

Not on their own. Corners, ends and gate posts take the full pull of the stretched wire, so they need a brace — typically an H-brace of wood posts or a manufactured steel brace. T-posts are line posts that hold the wire in place between the braces.

One per wire strand. A 4-strand barbed wire fence uses 4 clips per post. For woven wire, enter the number of line wires you will clip at each post — the wire maker's instructions say how many. Buy a few spares.