Quick answer
Divide the wall width and height by the hub spacing, round down, and add one. That gives the hub columns and rows. A grid layout needs columns × rows hubs. A diamond layout also needs one hub in the center of each grid cell. At 24-inch spacing, an 8 × 8 ft wall needs 25 hubs and about 80 ft of cable as a grid, or 41 hubs and about 91 ft as a diamond.
How the math works
The free Acemaker trellis calculator and the tables on this page use the same formulas:
- Hub columns = wall width ÷ spacing, rounded down, + 1. Hub rows = wall height ÷ spacing, rounded down, + 1.
- Grid layout: hubs = columns × rows. Cable runs along every row and every column.
- Diamond layout: hubs = columns × rows, plus one hub in the center of each cell. Cable runs diagonally between the hubs.
The cable length is the straight distance between hubs. It does not include cable for the ends and tensioning, so buy some extra.
Grid layout table
Hub and cable estimates for a full grid with hubs every 24 inches in both directions. The last column is the smallest single 1/8" crosshead kit with enough hubs and cable.
| Wall (W × H) | Hub grid | Hubs | Cable | Smallest single 1/8" kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 6 ft | 3 × 4 | 12 | 34 ft | 12-set, 53 ft |
| 6 × 6 ft | 4 × 4 | 16 | 48 ft | 20-set, 98 ft |
| 8 × 6 ft | 5 × 4 | 20 | 62 ft | 20-set, 98 ft |
| 8 × 8 ft | 5 × 5 | 25 | 80 ft | 30-set, 150 ft |
| 10 × 8 ft | 6 × 5 | 30 | 98 ft | 30-set, 150 ft |
| 12 × 8 ft | 7 × 5 | 35 | 116 ft | More than one kit |
Diamond layout table
The same walls as a diamond layout with 24-inch spacing. A diamond needs more hubs than a grid of the same spacing because of the center hubs.
| Wall (W × H) | Hub grid | Hubs | Cable | Smallest single 1/8" kit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 6 ft | 3 × 4 | 18 | 34 ft | 20-set, 98 ft |
| 6 × 6 ft | 4 × 4 | 25 | 51 ft | 30-set, 150 ft |
| 8 × 6 ft | 5 × 4 | 32 | 68 ft | More than one kit |
| 8 × 8 ft | 5 × 5 | 41 | 91 ft | More than one kit |
| 10 × 8 ft | 6 × 5 | 50 | 114 ft | More than one kit |
| 12 × 8 ft | 7 × 5 | 59 | 136 ft | More than one kit |
When a wall needs more than one kit, combine a complete kit with a hub-only add-on pack or a coil of wire rope. Find Your Kit works out the combination from your calculator result.
Fewer wall holes
Every hub is a hole in the wall. To drill fewer holes, put hubs only around the edge of the layout and join the inside crossings with cross cable clamps. The clamps hold two cables where they cross, with no drilling. The calculator has a perimeter-hubs mode that shows this layout.
For heavy plants, Acemaker recommends keeping hub spacing within 60 inches. Lightweight climbers can use wider spacing.
Frequently asked questions
How many hubs do I need for a wire trellis?
For a grid layout, multiply the number of hub columns by the number of hub rows, where each count is the wall size divided by the spacing, rounded down, plus one. A diamond layout also adds a hub in the center of each grid cell. The free Acemaker calculator does this for you.
How far apart should trellis hubs be?
Spacing depends on the plant, pattern, and wall. For heavy plants, Acemaker recommends keeping hub spacing within 60 inches. Lightweight climbers can use wider spacing.
Should I buy extra cable?
Yes. The calculated length is the straight distance between hubs. It does not include cable for the ends and tensioning, so allow some extra.