How to Calculate Steel Post Size for a Steel Gate

Steel gates can protect yards, livestock, driveways or anything else behind them for years if they are properly erected. You can calculate the height and diameter of the steel posts necessary to maintain a steel gate without sagging or falling with a few common sense guidelines. While everyone wants to avoid overbuilding, a common and costly mistake made by many do-it-yourselfers, a few basic bits of information can help ensure the weight of your steel gate is properly supported.

Steel gates last for years when properly built.

1. Check the gate and fence heights. The gate height should be the fence height minus approximately 1 3/4" for clearance. The clearance is on the bottom of the gate, so that the gate swings freely. This way, the top line of the fence and the gate is continuous and pleasing to the eye.