Fence Panel Calculator
Enter your fence run and the panel width you plan to buy (6 ft and 8 ft are most common) — get the number of panels or sections you need, with gate openings subtracted.
Estimate
| Panels / sections needed | 25 |
|---|---|
| Panel / section cost | $1,450 |
Panel buying tips
- Panels are always rounded up to whole sections — you cannot buy half a panel.
- Gate openings are subtracted from the panel run automatically.
- Add a 10% waste factor on cut materials like rails and pickets, not on whole panels.
How the panel math works
Panels needed = fence run ÷ panel width, rounded up to whole sections. The fence run is your total length minus gate openings, since gates hang between their own posts rather than filling a panel bay. Each whole or partial bay still consumes one panel bay's posts and hardware.
Frequently asked questions
Should fence panels touch the ground?
No — leave a 1–2 in gap under the bottom rail. Ground contact traps moisture against the material (rot in wood, trapped debris in vinyl) and makes the fence impossible to trim along uneven grade.
What panel widths are standard?
Wood and vinyl prefabricated panels come in 6 ft and 8 ft widths; chain link fabric is sold by the roll and cut to length. Match your post spacing to the panel width exactly — a half-foot mismatch means cutting or re-spacing every bay.
What if my yard is sloped?
Two options: stepped panels (each bay level, following stair-steps down the slope — best for privacy) or racked panels (adjustable brackets that follow the slope — common with aluminum and chain link). Panel count stays the same either way.