Fence layout guide
Space posts clearly across every straight run.
A useful layout starts by separating corners, ends and gate openings into individual straight runs.
Open the free calculator →Reviewed October 12, 2026The flexible-spacing calculation
For wood and chain-link, divide run length by maximum spacing, round sections up to a whole number, then divide the run by that section count. A 50-foot run with an 8-foot maximum needs 7 sections, so the actual spacing is about 7.14 feet. Vinyl instead keeps its fixed installed module width and shows any final cut.
Where a run starts and ends
Begin a new run at every corner, free end or gate post. Do not include the gate opening width. Connected runs share terminal posts; independent runs do not.
What spacing cannot decide
Wind, privacy screening, soil, frost depth, slope, height, post size and local rules may require a different layout. Confirm the fence system and code before buying materials.
Common questions
Quick answers before you calculate.
Why not place every post at the maximum distance?
Exact maximum spacing can leave a short final bay. Dividing the full run into equal sections gives a cleaner layout while staying under the maximum.
Do corner posts count twice?
In connected runs, a shared corner is counted once as a terminal post. Separate runs count both endpoints.