Chain Link Fence Calculator
Calculate chain link fence materials: fabric, posts, top rail, and hardware.
Enter perimeter, height, and gate details for a complete materials list.
Chain-link fencing is one of the most cost-effective perimeter fencing solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial use. Calculating materials accurately prevents costly overordering or frustrating mid-project shortages.
Perimeter formula: Total Length = 2 × (Length + Width) (for rectangular areas) For irregular plots, sum all side lengths.
Number of posts: Posts = ⌈Total Length / Post Spacing⌉ + 1 Standard post spacing: 10 feet (3.05 m) for residential, 8 feet (2.44 m) for industrial/high-tension applications.
Fabric (mesh) roll quantity: Chain-link fabric typically comes in 50-foot (15.25 m) rolls at standard heights of 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 10 feet. Rolls Needed = ⌈Total Length / Roll Length⌉
Post types:
- Terminal posts (end, corner, gate): placed at every direction change + gate locations. Larger diameter (typically 2.5" OD).
- Line posts (intermediate): all posts between terminals. Standard 1.875" OD for residential.
Hardware per terminal post: 1 post cap, brace bands, tension bars, tension bands. Hardware per line post: 1 post cap, line post ties every 24" vertically.
Concrete per post (standard mix): Volume = π × (hole radius)² × depth Typical: 10" diameter hole, 36" deep = π × 0.208² × 3 = 0.41 ft³ ≈ 0.5 bags of 80 lb ready-mix
Worked example: Fencing a 100 ft × 60 ft backyard with 6 ft chain link, 10 ft post spacing: Perimeter = 2 × (100 + 60) = 320 ft Posts = ⌈320 / 10⌉ + 1 = 33 (plus corner and gate adjustments ≈ 37 total) Fabric rolls = ⌈320 / 50⌉ = 7 rolls Concrete bags ≈ 37 × 0.5 = ~19 bags
Add 5–10% to material quantities for waste and cutting.
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This calculator runs entirely in your browser, so the numbers you enter stay on your device. The math behind it is written by hand and tested against worked examples and standard references before the page goes live.
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