You are preparing to install your rigid mesh fence and wondering how many posts to order. It is a sensible question, and ordering too few posts (or buying too many) can quickly blow your budget or weaken your installation. The basic rule is simple, but there are a few nuances depending on your site layout. Here is what you need to know so you order exactly what you need.
The basic rule: one post for each junction
The principle is easy to remember: you need a post at each end of a panel. In practical terms, two consecutive panels share the same post at their junction point. This is known as the shared-post principle.
In other words, for a straight fence line, you do not count two posts per panel. The formula to keep in mind: number of panels + 1 = number of posts. For 10 panels, you will need 11 posts. This extra post simply corresponds to the final end of your fence, which is not shared with a following panel.
A concrete example to help you visualise it
Let us take a fence of 25 linear metres. Rigid mesh panels are generally 2.50 metres wide. You therefore divide 25 by 2.50, which gives 10 panels.
By applying the rule above, you will need 11 posts for this straight fence. Nothing complicated. The only time this calculation changes is when your layout is not a simple straight line: corners, returns, pedestrian gates… We will cover that next.
What changes with corners and returns
As soon as your fence forms an angle (a corner of the plot, for example), the corner post cannot be shared in the same way as a straight-line post. At each change of direction, plan for a dedicated corner post, often reinforced to withstand tension in two directions.
Here are the situations that increase the number of posts:
- Each corner of your plot requires its own post (sometimes a dedicated corner model).
- Each start and end of the fence adds an extra post, as with the final post.
- On either side of a gate or pedestrian gate, you need dedicated posts sized to support the weight and movement.
Tip: draw your layout on a plan before ordering. Count your straight runs separately, then add one post at each corner and at each end.
Sealed-in posts or base plate: what impact on your calculation?
The type of fixing does not change the number of posts, but it influences your choice. Sealed-in posts are set into a concrete foundation, ideal for soft ground or tall fences. Base-plated posts are screwed onto an existing support (low wall, concrete slab), and are quicker to install.
In both cases, the calculation logic remains the same: one post per junction, plus one at each end. Just remember to check the post height against the panel height. A sealed-in post must be longer than the panel to allow for the section embedded in concrete, generally 40 to 50 cm longer.
Why centre-to-centre spacing matters for strength
Centre-to-centre spacing is the distance between two posts, measured from axis to axis. It corresponds to the width of your panel, i.e. 2.50 metres in the vast majority of cases. Respecting this spacing is essential: spacing that is too wide would make it impossible to fix the panel, while spacing that is too short would waste posts and concrete.
On sloping ground, the horizontal centre-to-centre spacing remains the same, but installation requires more care. It is generally done in steps, offsetting each panel slightly to follow the change in level. Here again, the number of posts does not change; only the installation method is adapted.
Do not forget the fixing accessories
Counting posts is a good start. But each post comes with its fixing accessories: clips, bolts, clamping plates, finishing caps. Plan the right quantities depending on the post model you choose, because an intermediate post does not have the same requirements as a corner or end post.
One point that is often overlooked: the complete kits offered by some suppliers include panels, posts and fixings in the right proportions. If you are getting started, this is a reliable way to avoid forgetting anything and to prevent unnecessary trips. At Districlos, our customer service team checks the length and your site layout with you to fine-tune the exact quantity of posts and accessories. With a clear plan in hand, you order just what you need—no surplus and no shortfall.
Expert in fencing, gates, and outdoor landscaping since 2019.
Holds a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing – SEO, UX/UI.
View LinkedIn profile
