Fence Calculator: Measure Your Fence Line on a Map
Trace your fence line on satellite imagery and get its exact length in feet — a square acre takes about 835 linear feet of fence. Then use the tables below to turn your measured length into posts, panels, and a realistic cost range.
How to measure a fence line
- Search your address and zoom until you can see fence corners, property pins, or landmarks.
- Tap each point where the fence starts, turns, or ends. The line doesn't need to close — this is a distance trace, not an area.
- Read the total length and each segment's length. Segment lengths matter for ordering panels per side and placing gates.
Satellite tracing is accurate to within a few feet on clear imagery — plenty for material estimates and quotes. For the legal boundary itself, verify against survey pins before digging post holes.
How much fence for an acre?
The math for a square parcel: side = √(acres × 43,560 ft²), perimeter = 4 × side. One square acre works out to 208.7 ft per side, or 835 linear feet of fence. Real parcels are longer on one axis than the other, which always increases the perimeter — so treat these as minimums and trace your real boundary for the actual number.
| Parcel (square) | Side length | Fence needed |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 acres | 148 ft | 590 ft |
| 1 acre | 209 ft | 835 ft |
| 2 acres | 295 ft | 1,181 ft |
| 5 acres | 467 ft | 1,867 ft |
Worked example — fencing a square acre at 8-foot post spacing: the 835-foot closed loop needs about 105 posts (on a closed loop, posts equal sections — no extra end post) plus a pair of gate posts. At typical 2026 installed rates that's roughly $8,300–$16,700 in chain link or $12,500–$29,200 in wood privacy fencing.
Fence post calculator: posts by spacing
For a straight run: divide the length by the post spacing, round up to whole sections, and add one for the end post. Wood privacy fences typically use 6- or 8-foot spacing (matching panel widths); chain link and field fence commonly stretch to 10 feet.
| Run length | Posts @ 6 ft | Posts @ 8 ft | Posts @ 10 ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| 100 ft | 18 | 14 | 11 |
| 150 ft | 26 | 20 | 16 |
| 200 ft | 35 | 26 | 21 |
| 300 ft | 51 | 39 | 31 |
| 500 ft | 85 | 64 | 51 |
Add one post pair per gate, and count every corner as a post even mid-run. Panel or picket counts follow from sections: sections × panel width, or run length ÷ picket width (including the gap) for stick-built fences.
Fence cost estimator by material
Typical 2026 installed ranges per linear foot in the US. These are planning ballparks — height, terrain, gates, tear-out, and local labor swing real quotes well outside these bands.
| Fence type | Per linear ft (installed) | Cost for 200 ft |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link (4 ft) | $10–$20 | $2,000–$4,000 |
| Wood picket / split rail | $12–$25 | $2,400–$5,000 |
| Wood privacy (6 ft) | $15–$35 | $3,000–$7,000 |
| Vinyl privacy | $25–$45 | $5,000–$9,000 |
To estimate your project: trace your fence line above, then multiply the measured length by the per-foot range for your material. Doing the trace first is the single biggest accuracy upgrade over guessing the length.
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Frequently asked questions
- How much fence do I need for 1 acre?
- A perfectly square acre needs about 835 linear feet of fence — four sides of roughly 209 feet each. Real parcels are rarely square, and a long narrow acre can need well over 1,000 feet, so trace your actual boundary on the map above for the exact number. Half an acre square needs about 590 feet, two acres about 1,181 feet, and five acres about 1,867 feet.
- How many fence posts do I need per 100 feet?
- Divide the run length by your post spacing, round up, and add one for the end post: a straight 100-foot run needs 11 posts at 10-foot spacing and 14 at 8-foot spacing (13 sections, since 100 doesn't divide evenly by 8). Many guides quote 13 posts at 8-foot spacing because the short leftover section is often absorbed at a corner or gate. Add posts for each gate and for every corner where the line changes direction.
- How much does 200 feet of fence cost?
- As typical 2026 installed ranges, 200 feet runs about $2,000–$4,000 for chain link, $3,000–$7,000 for wood privacy, and $5,000–$9,000 for vinyl. Materials-only DIY costs run roughly half of installed prices. Terrain, fence height, gates, and local labor rates move these numbers substantially, so use them for planning and get local quotes before committing.
- How do I measure my property line for a fence?
- Trace the boundary on the satellite map to plan the layout and estimate materials — the tool gives you total length plus each side's length individually. Before you build, confirm the legal line with your survey pins or a licensed surveyor, because fences built on a neighbor's land are an expensive mistake. Our guide to finding property lines walks through locating pins and plat maps.