How this calculator works
Chain link is a fabric-and-fittings material takeoff, not a board count. The calculator multiplies your straight-line run by fabric height to size the fabric, then divides the run by your post spacing to place posts. Posts split into two classes — terminal (ends, corners, gate posts) and line (the rest) — because terminal posts carry tension bars and brace bands that line posts do not. Top rail, tension bands, rail ends, post caps, tie wires, and concrete all follow from those two numbers.
Fabric ft = Run × (1 + Waste%) | Rolls = ⌈Fabric ft ÷ Roll length⌉
Total posts = ⌈Run ÷ Spacing⌉ + 1 + Gates × 2
Terminal posts = 2 ends + Corners + Gates × 2 | Line = Total − Terminal
Each straight run between corners is its own calculation. If your yard is L-shaped or U-shaped, calculate each straight segment separately and add the material lists together. Do not include gate openings in the run length — each gate adds two gate posts plus its own frame separately.
Terminal posts vs line posts
Every chain link fence has two post classes. Getting this split right is the difference between a tight, tensioned fence and one that sags within a season.
| Post class | Where | What it carries | Footing depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal | Ends, corners, gate posts | Tension bar, 2–3 tension bands, 2 brace bands, post cap | Deepest − 30–36 in |
| Line | Every intermediate post | Post cap only | 24–30 in |
Terminal posts resist the full tension of the stretched fabric. That is why every end, corner, and gate jambs must be a terminal − they are the anchors the rest of the fence hangs from. On runs longer than 150 ft without a corner, add an extra terminal post mid-run to break the tension.
Chain link material takeoff − worked example
A 100 ft run, 4 ft high, 10 ft post spacing, no corners, one gate, 10% waste:
| Item | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | 100 × 1.10 | 110 linear ft → 2 rolls of 50 ft (or 2 of 100 ft) |
| Sections | ⌈100 ÷ 10⌉ | 10 |
| Total posts | 10 + 1 + 2 (gate) | 13 posts |
| Terminal posts | 2 ends + 0 corners + 2 gate | 4 terminal |
| Line posts | 13 − 4 | 9 line |
| Top rail | 110 linear ft | 110 ÷ 21 → 6 lengths of 21 ft |
| Tension bars | One per terminal | 4 |
| Tension bands | 2 per terminal (heights ≤5 ft) | 8 |
| Brace bands | 2 per terminal | 8 |
| Rail ends | One per section | 10 |
| Post caps | One per post | 13 |
| Tie wires | (Run × 2) + (Height × Posts) | 252 |
Tension bands per terminal depend on height: 2 for fences up to 5 ft, 3 for 6 ft and taller. Above 8 ft, most manufacturers call for 4 bands per terminal.
Fabric rolls, top rail, and post lengths
| Item | Standard size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chain link fabric | 50 ft or 100 ft rolls | Most retail 50 ft, commercial 100 ft. Order by rolled length. |
| Top rail | 21 ft lengths (1⅜ in or 1⅝ in) | Rail ends connect rails at line posts. Add 10% waste. |
| Line posts | 1⅝ in, 2 in, or 2⅜ in | Height ≥ fence height + 2.5 ft (buried) |
| Terminal posts | 2⅜ in or 3 in | Heavier gauge than line posts to resist tension |
| Tension bar | Matched to fabric height | One per terminal post |
| Tension bands | 2–4 per terminal | Based on height − see table above |
| Brace bands | 2 per terminal | Brace the corner and end posts |
Concrete for chain link footings
Chain link posts stand up to more wind load than a wood post of the same height because the fabric acts as a sail. Footing depth matters more here than for a picket fence.
| Post type | Hole diameter | Typical depth | 60 lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line post (1⅝ in) | 8 in | 24 in | 1 bag |
| Line post (2⅜ in) | 10 in | 30 in | 2 bags |
| Terminal post (2⅜ in) | 10 in | 36 in | 3 bags |
| Gate post (2⅜ in) | 12 in | 36 in | 4 bags |
The calculator uses a single hole diameter and depth for all posts to keep the takeoff simple. If your project uses different footings for terminal vs line posts, run the post-hole concrete calculator twice − once for terminals, once for lines.
Chain link cost per foot (2026 US)
| Height | Materials / ft | Installed / ft | 100 ft materials | 100 ft installed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 ft | $6–$9 | $11–$15 | $600–$900 | $1,100–$1,500 |
| 4 ft | $7–$11 | $12–$18 | $700–$1,100 | $1,200–$1,800 |
| 5 ft | $9–$13 | $15–$21 | $900–$1,300 | $1,500–$2,100 |
| 6 ft | $11–$16 | $18–$26 | $1,100–$1,600 | $1,800–$2,600 |
Add a walk gate ($200–$500 installed), drive gate ($800–$2,500), or both depending on access. Commercial-grade or privacy-slat chain link adds 40–100%.
Frequently asked questions
How many posts do I need for a 100 ft chain link fence?
How many rolls of chain link fabric do I need for 100 ft?
What is the maximum post spacing for chain link?
What is the difference between a terminal post and a line post?
How long should chain link posts be?
How much concrete per chain link post?
How long is chain link top rail?
Can I install chain link myself?
Standards and sources
Spacing, tension, and post class guidance is drawn from manufacturer and industry publications. Key references:
- Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute (CLFMI) guidance on line post spacing (10 ft max), terminal post placement, and tension bar sizing.
- ASTM A392 (zinc-coated steel chain link fabric) and ASTM F567 (chain link fence installation) for fabrication and installation standards.
- Manufacturer tension band counts by fabric height (2 bands up to 5 ft, 3 at 6 ft, 4 at 8 ft and above).
- Standard top rail lengths (21 ft) and rail end / sleeve conventions from US supplier catalogs.
Related guides
Go deeper on the questions behind this calculator.
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Estimates only. Confirm manufacturer specifications, local code, and site conditions with your supplier before ordering. Last reviewed October 2026.