Hi, I’m Andrea at Fence-All. A question we get asked a lot is: “How long is a fence post?” That’s a great question!

The length of a fence post really depends on the type of fence you’ve bought. However, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind, especially for fences in the City of Ottawa. Here, we typically dig down three feet into the ground for fence posts. So, most fence posts are about ten feet long—three feet go into the ground, and the remaining length depends on the height of the fence you’ve purchased.

  • Wood posts are usually 4x4x10′ (nominal), with the width remaining consistent.
  • PVC posts are typically 5″x5″x10′, again with a consistent width.
  • Chain link and iron posts are generally around 7 feet 6 inches in length. These fences are usually shorter because they are see-through, unlike vinyl and wood, which are privacy fences. The width for chain link is circular, while iron posts are 2″x2″.
post holes

Wood posts are usually 4x4x10′ (nominal).

In summary, fence posts are generally about 10 feet long, with the height adjusted based on the type of fence you’ve purchased. We ensure that about three feet of the post will be in the ground to provide stability. I hope this information is helpful!