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Standard post spacing is either 6 feet or 8 feet. Spacing posts closer (6 feet) provides maximum structural stability, particularly in windy areas or for heavy materials, while 8-foot spacing is standard for pre-assembled panels.

For fences up to 4 feet tall, 2 rails (top and bottom) are standard. For 6-foot fences, you should use 3 rails (top, middle, and bottom) to prevent the vertical pickets from warping and bowing in the sun.

Each gate requires a post on both sides to hang the hinges and latch. Adding a gate to a continuous fence run usually increases your total post count by 1 because it breaks up a standard panel and requires an extra structural post.

For maximum stability, posts should be set into the ground at a depth equal to 1/3 to 1/2 of the fence's height above ground. For a standard 6-foot tall fence, you should bury the posts 3 feet deep.

In normal soil conditions, plan for two 80 lb bags of concrete mix per post hole. For gate posts or corner posts that bear extra tension, setting them deeper and using three bags of concrete is recommended.