How Far Apart Should Fence Posts Be?
How far apart should fence posts be? For most residential wood fences, 6 to 8 feet depending on panel style and wind exposure; for chain link, line posts typically run about 10 feet apart with heavier terminal posts at every corner, end, and gate. Spacing matters — but in Minnesota it's the second question, because spacing only holds if each of those posts is footed below the 42-inch frost line.
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Wood Fences: 6 to 8 Feet Between Posts
Solid privacy panels catch wind like a sail, so exposed runs sit at the tighter end of the range; open picket and shadowbox styles can stretch toward 8 feet. Corner and gate posts get a larger, deeper footing than line posts because they carry more lateral load — a gate post in particular takes leverage with every swing, which is why gates are where spacing and footing shortcuts show up first.
Chain Link: About 10 Feet Between Line Posts
Chain link line posts typically run about 10 feet apart, with heavier terminal posts at corners, ends, and gate openings so the mesh stays taut. Tension is the whole game with mesh: the 55-60 freeze-thaw cycles a Twin Cities season delivers will loosen a run whose terminal posts weren't set to carry the pull, and the fence starts to sag along the bottom edge.
Spacing Is Only Half the Job
However far apart the panels want to sit, no post should be set shallower than the frost line — a perfectly spaced fence on shallow footings still leans by spring. Depth comes first — the fence post depth guide covers the frost-line standard every post needs to meet — and spacing second. If you're pricing a new fence rather than planning a DIY run, our wood fence installation and chain link fence installation pages show what a professional install includes.