What the gate fields actually represent
The form has a Number of gates field and one Gate width field in feet. In the calculation, each counted gate deducts that common width and contributes two additional planning posts. There is no leaf-count field and no separate width for each gate.
This is an opening-count model, not a drawing of the gate assembly. A gate leaf is the moving part that occupies an opening; an opening and its moving parts are not interchangeable units in this formula. The input cannot describe a leaf's frame dimensions, infill layout or hardware.
The existing gate-opening guide explains the length deduction. This page addresses a different question: what still needs its own inventory after that deduction.
Equal opening width does not mean equal post count
These hypothetical software checks use a 100 ft total run, 6 ft height, 8 ft post spacing, 5.5 in board width and zero gap. The wood cases were executed through this site's actual submit handler. They are not recommended dimensions, verified layouts or quantities to order.
| Gate inputs | Net run | Sections | Posts | Rails | Pickets | Fasteners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | 100 ft | 13 | 14 | 39 | 219 | 1314 |
| One × 6 ft | 94 ft | 12 | 15 | 36 | 206 | 1236 |
| Two × 3 ft | 94 ft | 12 | 17 | 36 | 206 | 1236 |
Both gate cases deduct 6 ft, leaving 94 ft. The section calculation is ceil(94 / 8) = 12, and the wood infill calculation is ceil(94 × 12 / 5.5) = 206. Posts are different: 12 + 1 + 2 = 15 for one counted gate, versus 12 + 1 + 4 = 17 for two.
The unchanged picket count does not include boards for either moving gate. It represents only the reduced fence run. The code does not add back gate-width infill as a separate leaf quantity.
Do not enter two leaves as two separate openings
If your drawing has one opening containing two moving leaves, entering two half-width gates would describe two openings to this tool. The second gate row in the table would then add a different post allowance even though the total deducted width stayed the same.
The table is a diagnostic for the input model, not a recommendation for the support arrangement of a double-leaf gate. Record the actual opening separately from the leaf count. This calculator does not decide how many physical supports, connections or components the chosen assembly requires.
The fastener card is not a gate hardware list
In the wood branch, fasteners are calculated as pickets × rails per section × 2. Both 94 ft examples return 206 × 3 × 2 = 1236. That identical allowance contains no explicit hinge, latch or frame-connection quantity.
Chain link has a different planning allowance: sections × 4 + gates × 4. Repeating the two opening cases with Chain link selected returned 94.0 ft of fabric in both cases, with 52 fasteners for one gate and 56 for two. Those numbers come from that branch, not from a hardware catalogue. They still do not identify or count a gate kit.
Keep a separate, traceable gate inventory
- Opening record: identify each opening and its measured width, separately from the number of moving leaves.
- Leaf record: record the actual assembly, leaf dimensions and specified frame or infill components.
- Hardware record: list the chosen assembly's documented hinges, latch and other required components without substituting this tool's generic fastener card.
- Quantity source: keep the drawing, component schedule or supplier information that supports each entry.
- Scope check: distinguish fence-run items from gate items before combining them, so a shared item is not counted twice.
This is an information checklist, not a supplied gate design or universal parts list. The calculator has no gate-leaf or gate-hardware price fields either. Even when its local-price total is available, that displayed total does not price a separately specified gate assembly.
Method and source
The input inventory and actual outputs were checked against this site's form and calculation code. The three wood cases and two chain-link controls are original software checks of the opening, post, infill and fastener branches. No product specification, material price or engineering requirement was assumed. Read the post-count explanation and fastener formula guide for their separate planning limits.