How deep should a 5-foot fence post be in the ground

The general rule is that fence posts should be buried underground at least one-third of their length. So, if the fence post is 6 feet long, it should be buried around 2 feet deep.

Use a gravel base and fill the hole with quick-set concrete for stability.

But determining the ideal depth isn’t as simple as digging a hole and placing your post. Several factors come into play. The height of your fence, the weight it needs to support, and even the type of soil in your yard all affect how deep your fence posts should be.

Understanding Fence Post Depth

Let’s dive into the heart of the matter – understanding fence post depth.

You’ve probably heard the general rule of thumb: the depth of your fence post should be about a third to half of the above ground level height of the fence. But what does this mean, and why is it important?

Picture your fence post as a tree.

The part of the tree you see above ground

how deep should a fence post be dug

how deep should a fence post be set