Vinyl fence calculator

Count vinyl fence panels, cut-down panels, posts and gates for each run, with post centers worked out from the panel and post sizes.

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.Panel width, as madeThe actual width printed on the panel kit, not the nominal 8 ft.Post width

Package sizes, prices and materials

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

Example: replace these measurements

Your material list

6 vinyl fence panels

Shopping list & save options

Post centers: 96 in
Full panels: 6
Shortened panels: 0
Total posts: 7
End posts: 2
Corner posts: 0
Gate or stair posts: 0
Grade-change posts: 0
Line posts: 5
Gates: 0
Fence length along the slope: 48 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: 91 + 5 = 96 in
Fence section, 0 to 48 ft: 576 in ÷ 96 = 6 → 6 full panels

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.

Veranda’s instructions put post centers at the panel width plus the post width. Each stretch between fixed posts gets as many full panels as fit; the leftover bay takes one cut-down panel, and its width is listed.

A grade rise lengthens the section along the slope. Vinyl panels are usually stepped down a slope; ask the supplier whether your panels can be racked, and check bottom clearance.

Before you order

Gate kits, hinges, latches, post caps and brackets come from the fence system’s own parts list. This counts gates and gate posts only.
Post depth, footing size, frost depth and utility locating are site decisions; no hole size is assumed.

Common questions

How far apart are vinyl fence posts?

The panel width plus the post width, center to center. Veranda’s 6 × 8 ft Linden kit is 91 inches wide as made, with 5-inch posts, so the posts are 96 inches apart.

Source: Barrette Outdoor Living: Veranda Vinyl Fence special order catalog. Listed on the Sources page.

Can vinyl fence panels be cut?

Veranda’s prebuilt panels can be cut down for a short bay. The calculator gives the cut width for each short bay, or spreads the difference over equal bays if you choose.

Source: Barrette Outdoor Living: Veranda Vinyl Fence special order catalog. Listed on the Sources page.

How is vinyl fence installed on a slope?

Vinyl panels are usually stepped down a slope. Ask your supplier whether yours can be racked, and check the gap under each panel.