Common post spacing
| Fence type | Typical spacing |
|---|---|
| Wood picket or privacy fence | 6 to 8 ft (1.8 to 2.4 m) |
| Prefabricated panels | Panel width plus post |
| Windy sites, tall privacy fences | 6 ft or closer |
| Livestock or wire fencing | Follows wire type and use |
Eight feet is popular for wood fences because rails are sold in 8 ft lengths. Shorter spacing makes the fence stiffer and less likely to sag, but needs more posts and holes.
Laying out the posts
- Mark the corners and ends, and run a string line between them.
- Divide the run into equal sections no longer than your target spacing. For an 82 ft run at a maximum of 8 ft, use 11 sections of 7.45 ft rather than ten at 8 ft and one short gap.
- Mark gate posts first, then fill in the line posts between them.
How deep to set posts
A common rule of thumb is to bury about one third of the post's total length. For a 6 ft fence, many builders use an 8 ft post with about 2 to 3 ft in the ground. In cold climates the hole should go below the local frost line so frost does not lift the post. Corner and gate posts take the most load and are often set deeper or larger.
Hole size and concrete
Holes are often about three times the width of the post: around 10 to 12 in for a 4×4. Many installers add a few inches of gravel at the bottom for drainage before setting the post in concrete. Shape the top of the concrete to shed water away from the wood. You can estimate concrete per hole with the concrete calculator.
Before you dig
- Call your local utility locating service before digging. In the US the number is 811, and many other countries have a similar service.
- Check property lines, local fence height rules and any homeowner association rules.
- Agree the fence position with neighbors where it runs along a shared boundary.
Count posts, rails and pickets for your run with the fence calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum distance between fence posts?
For most wood fences, 8 ft is the practical maximum. Wider spacing makes rails sag.
How deep should a 6 ft fence post be?
Typically about 2 to 3 ft deep, and below the frost line in cold areas.
Do fence posts need concrete?
Many builders use concrete, while others use compacted gravel, which drains better. Follow local practice and soil conditions.
Do the math for your own project.
Open the fence calculator