image showing how to measure amount of fence panels needed

Working out the number of fence panels you need is mostly a measurement exercise. It also depends on the panel width you choose, where your posts go, and any local rules. Below is a simple method you can use to estimate the amount of fence panels confidently.

1) Start with your total fence length

  • Measure the full length of the boundary or fence line in metres (use a tape measure or read it off a site plan).
  • Subtract any openings that won’t be fenced with panels, such as:
    • Driveway gate openings
    • Pedestrian gates
    • Existing walls that replace panels

Net fence length (m) = total run − total opening widths

Tip: Measure along the actual fence line, not across garden beds, curves, or offsets.

 

2) How wide are fence panels?

At Statewide Building Products, Colorbond fence panels are available in various sizes, with varying widths and a standard length of 2365 mm.

Panel widths are typically:

  • 900 mm (0.9 m)
  • 1500 mm (1.5 m)
  • 1800 mm (1.8 m)
  • 2100 mm (2.1 m)

 

3) Do the basic panel count calculation

Once you choose a panel width, estimate:

{Panels needed} = {Net fence length} / {Panel width}

Quick example

  • Total run: 20.0 m
  • Less 1.2 m for a gate
  • Net length = 18.8 m

If you use 2.1 m panels:

(18.8/2.1) = 8.95, which means you’ll need 9 panels

That gives 18.9 m of coverage, so you may need minor set-out adjustments.

 

4) You may mix panel widths

In practice, fences often finish neatly by mixing sizes (e.g., mostly 2.1 m bays plus one 1.5 m bay), especially when you’re trying to:

  • land posts in good ground
  • line up with a corner/return

A good installer will mark out the fence first while marking post centres and checking levels, before they commit to quantities.

 

5) Don’t forget posts, corners, steps, and slopes

Some “panel kits” are sold as complete kits including posts, rails, sheets and fixings such as the Colorbond options we mentioned above.

Before ordering, confirm whether:

  • you’re buying full kits per bay, or
  • you’re buying panels only and ordering posts/rails separately, or
  • posts are intended to be shared between bays in a continuous run

Sloping blocks

If your yard slopes, you may need:

  • stepped panels, or
  • raked/graded solutions (depending on the system)

This can change quantities (sometimes you need an extra panel or additional posts).

Don’t forget to reach out the Statewide Building Supplies sales team for additional help and tips regarding fence panel solutions on (08) 9399 3276.