Aluminum fence calculator

Count ornamental aluminum fence panels, shortened panels, posts and gates for each run, using the post spacing from your fence maker’s instructions.

Your measurements

Editable example

Use the unit shown for each box, or type another one: 12 ft 6 in, 150 in, 3.8 m and 600 mm all work, as do the marks on a tape measure.

Fence section 1

Section nameHorizontal section length (ft)Grade rise over this section (ft)Start at previous section’s endDistance to first gate post (ft)Distance between gate post centers (ft)Use zero for no gate. Take the gate post spacing from the gate kit instructions.

Length unitsSwitches the main dimensions between feet and meters. Boxes in inches switch to millimeters, and you can pick another unit beside any of them. Areas, volumes and package sizes keep the units on their labels.Panel layoutFull panels leave one shortened bay at the end of each stretch. Equal bays shorten every panel a little instead.Post spacing on center, from the instructionsFortress Athens with 2-inch posts: 71 3/4 inches at most. Use the figure for your fence and post size.

Package sizes, prices and materials

Your price per panel ($)Your price per post ($)

Example: replace these measurements

Your material list

9 aluminum fence panels

Shopping list & save options

Post centers: 71.75 in
Full panels: 8
Shortened panels: 1
Shortened bay 1 (Fence section): posts 26 in apart on center; cut an equal amount from each end of the panel
Total posts: 10
End posts: 2
Corner posts: 0
Gate or stair posts: 0
Grade-change posts: 0
Line posts: 8
Gates: 0
Fence length along the slope: 50 ft
Panel subtotal: Add your price
Post subtotal: Add your price

Panels are set post center to post center. Gate kits, brackets and caps come from the system’s parts list.

Post layout for the selected section. A dashed opening is the gate. Rise is listed separately; this is not a sloped elevation. Dense runs show fixed posts only.

The calculation

Post centers: 71.75 in
Fence section, 0 to 50 ft: 600 in ÷ 71.75 = 8.36 → 8 full panels and 1 shortened

Before ordering, use the tile measurement, layout & overage handoff guide to check the inputs and take the right questions to the supplier. Choose another calculator.

How to plan the quantity

Enter each straight section between fixed posts, measured flat. Place a gate by its first post’s distance from the start and the distance between the two gate posts. Start a new section at each corner or change of grade, and choose how it joins the previous one so shared posts are counted once.

Each stretch between fixed posts gets as many full panels as the maximum post spacing allows; the leftover bay takes a shortened panel. Fortress says to cut an equal amount from each end of a shortened panel, and the list gives the post center distance for that bay.

Fortress also sets gate posts slightly wider apart than the gate panel; its figure is under Common questions. Enter the gate post spacing from your gate’s instructions.

Before you order

Steel and aluminum systems differ in post spacing, brackets and racking on slopes. Use the maker’s own figures for the system you buy.
Gate hardware, post caps, mounting brackets and footing sizes come from the system’s instructions and the site.

Common questions

How far apart are aluminum fence posts?

Use your fence maker’s figure. Fortress gives 71 3/4 inches on center at most for its Athens fence with 2-inch posts.

Source: Fortress Building Products: Athens aluminum fence installation instructions. Listed on the Sources page.

How do I fit a short bay?

Cut the panel to fit, taking an equal amount off each end, as Fortress instructs. Or choose equal bays so that every panel is shortened a little.

Source: Fortress Building Products: Athens aluminum fence installation instructions. Listed on the Sources page.

How far apart are the gate posts?

Fortress sets gate posts 1 1/4 to 2 1/4 inches wider apart than the gate panel. Enter that distance as the gate width.

Source: Fortress Building Products: Athens aluminum fence installation instructions. Listed on the Sources page.