How to Use This Calculator
Enter your total fence length in feet. Set line post spacing to 10 feet, which is the standard for chain link. Enter the number of terminal posts (end posts, corner posts, and gate posts combined). For a simple backyard fence with two ends and no corners: 2 terminal posts. For a rectangular perimeter with 4 corners: 4 terminal posts plus any gate posts.
Enter a price per linear foot if you have a contractor quote or want to estimate total installed cost. The calculator gives you the count of fabric rolls, top rail sections, and tension wire footage. Use these counts when ordering materials from your supplier.
How to Calculate Chain Link Fence Materials
The chain link material formulas are:
- Sections: ceil(Fence Length / Post Spacing)
- Line posts: Sections - 1 (the posts between terminal posts, not including the terminals themselves)
- Total posts: Line Posts + Terminal Posts
- Fabric rolls: ceil(Fence Length / 50)
- Top rail sections: ceil(Fence Length / 10)
- Tension wire: Fence Length (one run at the bottom)
Example: 100-foot fence, 10-foot spacing, 2 terminal posts.
- Sections = ceil(100 / 10) = 10
- Line posts = 10 - 1 = 9
- Total posts = 9 + 2 = 11 posts
- Fabric = ceil(100 / 50) = 2 rolls
- Top rail = ceil(100 / 10) = 10 sections
Chain Link Fence Tips
Set terminal posts first and let the concrete cure for 24 to 48 hours before stretching fabric. Terminal posts bear the full tension load when fabric is pulled tight. Pulling fabric against posts set less than a day can pull them out of plumb. String a line between terminal posts to guide line post placement.
Stretch fabric with a fence stretcher bar and come-along. Hand-stretching chain link fabric results in a wavy fence. A stretcher bar weaves through the last mesh of the fabric roll and distributes tension evenly. Rent a come-along (ratchet cable puller) from a tool rental store for larger projects. Stretch until the fabric is taut but not bowed.
Tie wire every 12 inches on line posts and every 6 inches on top rail. Under-tying lets the fabric sag between attachment points. Use a tie wire spinner tool to speed this up on long runs. Pre-cut lengths of 9-gauge galvanized wire work fine for manual tying.
Order vinyl-coated fabric if your fence is visible from the street. Galvanized fabric shows wear faster and looks industrial. Black or green vinyl-coated chain link blends into landscaping, looks cleaner in residential settings, and resists rust longer. The cost premium is small and paid back in appearance and longevity.
What to Buy
Fabric: chain link mesh in 50-foot rolls at the height you need. Common heights: 36 inches, 48 inches, 60 inches, 72 inches. Gauge options: 11.5 (light residential), 11 (standard residential), 9 (commercial). Galvanized or vinyl-coated depending on appearance preference.
Posts: terminal posts (2-inch or 2.5-inch round) and line posts (1.5-inch round), all galvanized. Set in concrete; see fence post depth calculator for depths by fence height and frost zone.
Top rail: 1.375-inch outside diameter galvanized top rail in 10-foot sections with coupling sleeves. Buy one coupling sleeve per 10-foot section. Rail ends (brace bands and rail ends) attach the top rail to each terminal post.
Hardware: tension bands (3 per terminal post), brace bands (2 per terminal post), top rail caps (1 per line post), tension bars (1 per end and gate post), and tie wire (1 roll per 100 LF). Buying a complete hardware kit from a chain link supplier is easier than sourcing individual pieces.