Fencing Calculator — Panels & Cost
Calculate fence panels and posts needed for your garden fence with material cost estimates.
Last updated: April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK — Planning permission
Panels
9
Posts
10
Material Cost
£390.00
Length
15 m
Panels: 9 x £30.00 = £270.00
Posts: 10 x £12.00 = £120.00
Disclaimer
This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. All calculations are performed locally in your browser — no personal data is collected or sent to our servers. Rates and thresholds are sourced from HMRC and GOV.UK and are updated for the current tax year. Always verify results with HMRC or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
How It Works
Fence panels in the UK are a standard 1.83 m (6 ft) wide. The number of panels is calculated by dividing the total run length by 1.83 m. You need one more post than the number of panels (posts go at each end and between every panel). Standard fence post height is the panel height plus 600 mm for the buried portion (or 450 mm if using post supports).
This calculator estimates panels, posts, post-fix concrete (1–2 bags per post), gravel boards (optional, placed at ground level to protect panels from damp) and post caps. For closeboard fencing (individual boards on rails), it calculates featherboard quantity, arris rails and clips instead.
Enter the total fence run length, panel height (typically 0.9 m, 1.2 m, 1.5 m or 1.8 m) and fence type. The calculator shows materials and estimated cost. Planning permission is not normally needed for fences up to 2 m high (1 m if adjacent to a highway). Check boundary responsibility on your title plan before replacing fencing.
Example: 12 m fence run, 1.8 m high overlap panels
- Panels: 12 ÷ 1.83 = 6.6, round to 7 panels
- Posts: 7 + 1 = 8 posts (75 × 75 mm × 2.4 m)
- Post-fix concrete: 8 × 2 bags = 16 bags (20 kg each)
- Gravel boards: 7 × 1.83 m boards
- Estimated total cost: £450–£650 (materials only)
Source: GOV.UK — Planning permission
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the Fencing Calculator — Panels & Cost do?
- Calculate fence panels and posts needed for your garden fence with material cost estimates. All calculations are performed in your browser using official UK rates and thresholds.
- Does this include waste allowance?
- Yes. Most building material calculations include a standard 10% waste allowance. You can adjust this figure depending on the complexity of your project and cutting requirements.
- Are prices accurate?
- Material prices are indicative estimates based on average UK prices. Actual costs vary by region, supplier, brand and current market conditions. Always get quotes from local suppliers.