High-tensile fences use fewer posts than barbed wire because the wire is kept tight. Six strands is the usual recommendation for livestock.
How wire is counted
Wire = fence length × strands. Rolls = wire ÷ roll length, rounded up. Posts = length ÷ spacing + 1 on each run, with bracing at every end, corner and gate.
Example: 1,320 ft with 6 strands needs 7,920 ft of wire, and 67 posts at 20 ft spacing.
Wire and posts at a glance
Worked out with the same settings as the calculator above, changing only the length.
| Length | Fence line | Wire | Rolls | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330 ft | 330 ft | 1,980 ft | – | 18 |
| 660 ft | 660 ft | 3,960 ft | – | 34 |
| 1,320 ft | 1,320 ft | 7,920 ft | – | 67 |
| 2,640 ft | 2,640 ft | 15,840 ft | – | 133 |
| 5,280 ft | 5,280 ft | 31,680 ft | – | 265 |
Roll lengths
| Product | Roll |
|---|---|
| Barbed wire | 1,320 ft (¼ mile) |
| Field fence (woven wire) | 330 ft (1/16 mile) |
| Welded wire and some specialty fence | 50 or 100 ft |
Barbed wire and field fence lengths from the Red Brand fence pocket guide.
Common questions
How long is a roll of barbed wire?
1,320 ft, a quarter of a mile. Field fence comes in 330 ft rolls.
How many strands of barbed wire?
Four or five strands is common for cattle. Do not use barbed wire for horses.
Do I need braces?
Yes. Every end, corner and gate needs a brace assembly, usually an H-brace, to hold the wire tight.
Sources
- Red Brand, Fence pocket guide (roll lengths): https://redbrand.com/old/wp-content/uploads/rb-fence-pocket-guide.pdf
- Tractor Supply, T-post spacing guidance: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/barbless-cable-3615278
- Angi, Wire fence installation cost: https://www.angi.com/articles/wire-fence-installation-cost.htm