Fence Post Concrete Calculator

5.0

Concrete Needed

Total Bags

29

60 lb bags for 14 posts

Per Post

3 bags

0.92 ft³ each

Total Volume

12.9

ft³ (0.48 yd³)

Hole

10×24

dia × depth (in)

Cost

add a price

Buy a few extra bags for spillage and oversized holes. Holes that hit rock or roots, or terminal posts set deeper, will use more. This assumes a round augered hole.

Posts

Not sure? Use the Fence Calculator to get a post count first.

Hole & Post Size

~3× the post width

⅓ of post height + 6″

4×4 ≈ 3.5″, 6×6 ≈ 5.5″

Subtracted from the hole

Bag Size & Price

Optional, for cost

Invoice the fence job in minutes

Got your materials list? Turn the concrete, posts, and labor into a professional estimate or invoice. Invoicer helps fence and outdoor contractors bill customers and get paid faster.

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How to Calculate Concrete for Fence Posts

1

Enter your post count

Type how many posts you're setting. If you don't have a count yet, run the Fence Calculator first to size the run, then bring the post number here.

2

Set the hole & post size

Enter the hole diameter and depth and the post width. A common rule is a hole three times the post width and one-third the post height deep plus six inches.

3

Choose the bag size

Pick 40, 50, 60, or 80 lb bags. The calculator uses each bag's set yield to work out how many bags you need per hole and for the whole job.

4

Read bags & copy

Get bags per post and total bags instantly, with cubic feet and yards. Add a price per bag for a cost, then copy it into your order or quote.

Who Uses This Tool

Fence & Deck Contractors

Order the right pallet of concrete for a post job the first time and avoid both a mid-dig supply run and a truck full of leftover bags.

Sign & Mailbox Installers

Set posts for signs, mailboxes, and basketball hoops with the right bag count per hole, whatever the post and footing size.

DIY Homeowners

Buy exactly the concrete a weekend fence or post project needs, without guessing at the register or hauling back unused bags.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bags of concrete do I need per fence post?
It depends on the hole and post size. A 4×4 post in a 10-inch-wide, 24-inch-deep hole needs about two 60 lb bags. The calculator finds the hole volume, subtracts the post, and divides by the bag's set yield, then rounds up so each hole is covered.
How deep should a fence post hole be?
A common rule is to bury one-third of the post's above-ground height plus about six inches, and to dig below your local frost line. For a standard 6 ft fence that's roughly a 24-inch-deep hole. Deeper holes and corner or gate posts use more concrete.
How wide should the post hole be?
About three times the width of the post — so a 3.5-inch 4×4 post wants a hole around 10 inches in diameter. A wider hole gives the concrete more grip but uses more material; the calculator updates the bag count as you change the diameter.
What size concrete bag should I buy — 50, 60, or 80 lb?
Larger bags are usually cheaper per cubic foot and mean fewer bags to carry, but they're heavier. A 60 lb bag yields about 0.45 cubic feet and an 80 lb bag about 0.6. Pick the size you can handle and the calculator converts your volume into a bag count.
Do I need to subtract the post from the hole?
Yes, and the calculator does it for you. The post takes up space in the hole, so the concrete only fills the gap around it. Subtracting the post volume — square or round — keeps you from over-ordering, especially with larger 6×6 posts.
Should I add extra concrete?
Buy a few extra bags beyond the calculated number. Holes are rarely perfect, augers oversize them, some concrete spills, and a hole that hits rock or a root may need more. A small buffer keeps the job moving without a second trip.
Can I use fast-setting concrete the same way?
Yes. Fast-setting fence-post mixes come in the same 50 and 80 lb bags with similar yields, so the bag count holds. Many can be set dry — pour the bag in the hole and add water — but always follow the product's directions.
Is this calculator free and is my data saved?
Yes, it's completely free with no signup required. Your inputs are saved locally in your browser so they persist between visits — nothing is uploaded to a server. Clearing your browser data will erase your saved values.