Prices last reviewed: October 2026
How many fence panels do I need?
Divide the length of each side by the panel width and round up. Then add one post per panel, one post to finish each open run and one extra post for each gate.
panels per side = side length / panel width, rounded up
posts = panels + 1 + gates
| Straight fence, no gate | 8 ft panels | Posts | 6 ft wood panel fence, DIY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | 7 | 8 | $861 |
| 100 ft | 13 | 14 | $1,567 |
| 150 ft | 19 | 20 | $2,273 |
| 200 ft | 25 | 26 | $2,972 |
Example with corners and a gate: a U-shaped back yard fence with sides of 60, 100 and 60 ft and one 4 ft walk gate needs 29 panels and 31 posts. At the default prices that is about $3,600 in prebuilt wood panels or about $6,300 in vinyl.
When a side does not divide evenly, the last panel is cut to fit. The calculator counts it as a full panel because you still have to buy it.
How much do fence panels cost?
The table shows a 150 ft fence in one straight run with one 4 ft walk gate and 8 ft wide panels, at the calculator's default prices.
| Panel type | Height | DIY total | DIY per ft | Installed total | Installed per ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood privacy panels | 4 ft | $1,888 | $12.59 | $3,388 | $22.59 |
| Wood privacy panels | 6 ft | $2,426 | $16.17 | $3,926 | $26.17 |
| Vinyl picket panels | 4 ft | $3,034 | $20.22 | $4,534 | $30.22 |
| Vinyl privacy panels | 6 ft | $4,273 | $28.49 | $6,073 | $40.49 |
Fence panel sizes
- 6 x 8 ft (6 ft tall, 8 ft wide) is the most common privacy panel for both wood and vinyl.
- 6 x 6 ft panels are stiffer and easier to handle and fit better on uneven ground, but need more posts.
- 4 x 8 ft panels are common for picket and low privacy fences.
Set the panel width under Advanced settings. Panel prices are set for 8 ft wide panels, and the calculator scales the price when you pick another width. You can type in the real price.
Panels or pickets?
Prebuilt panels go up much faster than a fence built board by board, and they are usually the cheapest way to get a wood privacy fence. Building with pickets lets you choose better lumber, follow a slope smoothly and adjust post spacing around obstacles. On flat ground with simple runs, panels are hard to beat. For a sloped yard or a higher end look, compare with the wood fence calculator.
Tips for installing fence panels
- Set posts as you go. Set one post, attach the panel, then set the next post against the panel. This keeps the spacing exact.
- Step panels on slopes. Panels stay level and step down the hill, so posts on a slope need to be longer.
- Measure from post center to post center. Check the spacing your panel maker recommends, since brackets and post width change it slightly.
- Leave a gap at the bottom. Keep wood panels about 2 in off the ground so they do not rot.
More fence calculators
- Vinyl fence calculator for vinyl privacy and picket fences
- Privacy fence calculator to compare panels with pickets and board-on-board
- Fence post calculator for posts and concrete
Frequently asked questions
How many fence panels do I need for 100 ft?
13 panels of 8 ft each, since 100 divided by 8 is 12.5 and you round up. You also need 14 posts for a straight run, plus one more post for each gate.
How many posts do I need for fence panels?
One post per panel plus one to finish each open run. A fence that turns corners shares the corner posts. Each gate adds one more post.
How much does a 6 ft wood fence panel cost?
The calculator uses $80 for a 6 x 8 ft pressure treated panel as a default. Prices vary a lot by region and season, so type in your local price.
Can you cut a fence panel to size?
Wood panels can be cut with a circular saw. Add a vertical board at the cut end to hold the pickets. Vinyl panels can often be cut too, but check the maker's instructions because the rails slide into the posts.
Are fence panels cheaper than building with pickets?
Usually yes. For a 150 ft, 6 ft fence with one gate, prebuilt wood panels come to about $2,430 in materials, compared with about $2,640 for side-by-side pickets.
How far apart are posts for fence panels?
About the panel width, measured from the center of one post to the center of the next. For 8 ft panels that is about 8 ft. Check the exact spacing in your panel maker's instructions.