Enter the fence line length.
Counts assume 4 × 4 posts in 10 in holes 4 ft deep (below the GTA frost line), 1 × 6 boards (5.5 in wide) butted tight, and an extra post per gate. Bag yields vary; check the label.
How the fence count works
The fence line is split into sections at the post spacing you pick, 8 ft for most wood privacy fences or 6 ft for a stiffer fence. Each section needs a post at each end, and each gate adds a post so it hangs between two of its own. A 6 ft fence usually gets three rails per section, a shorter fence two. Boards are counted at 5.5 inches wide, the actual width of a 1 × 6, laid tight for privacy.
Post depth and concrete
Posts belong below the frost line, about 4 ft (1.2 m) in the Toronto area. Shallower posts get lifted by frost over a few winters, which is why so many older fences lean. The calculator sizes concrete for a 10 inch hole, 4 ft deep, around a 4 × 4 post. Before digging, request free locates through Ontario Dig Authority at least 5 business days ahead.
Height rules in Mississauga
Fence height depends on where the fence sits on the lot. Mississauga's Fence By-law 0397-1978 limits a front-yard fence to 1 m, or 1.5 m if it is open construction; side and back yards have their own limits in the by-law, and corner lots have sight-triangle rules near the street. Going higher needs a fence exemption from the City. Check the by-law for your lot before you build, and talk to your neighbour about a shared line: Ontario's Line Fences Act covers fences built on the boundary.
What a fence costs installed
| Fence | Typical GTA range, installed |
|---|---|
| Wood privacy fence | $55–$95 per linear ft |
| 100 ft of wood privacy fence | $5,500–$9,500 |
| Steel and specialty fencing | Quoted after a site visit |
Before HST, checked October 2026. Gates, slopes, old fence removal and tight access move the number. See fence installation for how we build them.
Mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the survey. Know where the line is before the first hole; moving a fence later costs more than the survey.
- Soil against boards. Keep boards a little above grade, and never use a fence to hold back soil; that is a retaining wall's job.
- Gates on line posts. Gates need heavier, deeper posts of their own, or they sag within a season.
Questions about this tool
How many fence posts do I need?
Divide the fence length by the post spacing, round up, and add one for the end, then one more per gate. A 100 ft fence with 8 ft spacing has 13 sections and 14 posts, plus one per gate. Corners also need a post, so count each straight run separately.
How deep should fence posts be in Ontario?
Below the frost line, which in the Toronto area is roughly 4 ft (1.2 m). Shallower posts get lifted by frost over a few winters and the fence starts to lean. Set each post in concrete at that depth, and request locates before digging any post hole.
How many bags of concrete per fence post?
For a 10 inch hole 4 ft deep around a 4 × 4 post, about 3.7 bags of a 30 kg mix, so plan on four. Bigger holes, gate posts and loose soil use more. Bag yields vary by product, so check the label and buy one or two spare bags.
How much does a wood fence cost per foot in the GTA?
Our typical GTA range for a wood privacy fence is $55–$95 per linear foot installed, before HST, so 100 ft lands around $5,500–$9,500. Gates, slopes, removing an old fence and tight access move the number. Steel and specialty fencing are quoted after a site visit.