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Concrete & Masonry

How Many Bags of Concrete for a Fence Post?

Quick Reference

At a glance

Concrete per fence post by hole size
Hole diameter × depthVolume needed60 lb bags80 lb bags
8" × 24" (light wood fence)0.66 ft³2 bags1.5 bags
10" × 30" (standard 4×4)1.5 ft³3 bags2 bags
12" × 36" (heavy/wind zone)2.5 ft³5 bags4 bags
12" × 48" (deep frost line)3.4 ft³7 bags5 bags
16" × 48" (gate post)5.7 ft³11 bags8 bags

How to calculate it yourself

Volume in ft³ = π × (radius in ft)² × depth in ft. A 60 lb bag yields 0.45 ft³; an 80 lb bag yields 0.6 ft³. Bags needed = volume ÷ yield, rounded up. Always order one extra bag per 4 posts for spillage.

Common scenarios

6-foot wood privacy fence (10×30 hole)

Each post takes 1.5 ft³ of concrete = 2 bags of 80 lb. A 100-foot fence with 8-ft post spacing needs 13 posts × 2 bags = 26 bags. Add 2-3 spare bags for the gate posts and any over-dig.

Chain-link fence (8×24 hole)

Lighter fences with smaller posts: 0.66 ft³ each = 1.5 bags of 80 lb. The terminal/gate posts get the heavier 10×36 spec — 2.5 bags each.

Frost-zone fence (12×48 hole)

In northern climates the hole must extend below frost line. Each post takes 3.4 ft³ = 5 bags of 80 lb. This is the project where ready-mix delivery may be cheaper than bagged for a long fence run.

Related questions

Frequently asked

  • Fast-setting concrete (Quikrete Red Bag, Sakrete Fast-Setting) is the right pick for fence posts because it sets in 20-40 minutes — you can hang gates the same day. Use it dry-pour: pour the bag into the hole, then add water on top per the bag instructions.

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