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.