Chain Link Fence Calculator
Calculate the line posts, terminal posts, top rail, fabric rolls, ties, tension bars and concrete for a chain link fence from its length, height and gates.
By CalcBuilt Editorial TeamUpdated September 9, 2026Formulas checked against manufacturer specs, see how we calculate.
Results
- Line posts
- 14 line posts
- 15 sections at 10 ft along 146 ft of fabric; 1-5/8 in posts 6 ft long (4 ft of fabric plus 2 ft in the ground)
- Terminal posts
- 4 posts
- 2 ends and corners plus 2 gate posts; 2-3/8 in posts 6 ft long, each with a cap and a rail end
- Top rail
- 7 sections
- 21 ft swaged sections of 1-3/8 in rail to cover 146 ft; also sold as 10 ft 6 in pieces, so 14 of those
- Fabric
- 3 rolls
- 50 ft rolls of 4 ft fabric for 146 ft, leaving 4 ft spare
- Ties and tension bars
- 188 ties, 4 bars
- About 1 tie per foot of rail plus 3 per line post; 1 tension bar per terminal and gate post with 3 tension bands each (12 bands)
- Concrete
- 22 bags
- 1 x 50 lb (23 kg) bag per line post and 2 per terminal or gate post, about 0.31 cu yd. Planning estimate; check local fence height and setback rules.
Chain Link Fence formula
Fabric length = Total length - gates x gate width
Line posts = Fabric length / post spacing, rounded up, - 1 (- 1 more for each corner beyond two terminals)
Terminal posts = ends and corners + 2 per gate; Top rail sections = Fabric length / 21, rounded up
Fabric rolls = Fabric length / roll length, rounded up; Concrete = 1 bag per line post + 2 per terminal postWorked example
A 200 ft fence 6 ft tall around three sides of a yard with 4 terminal posts (2 ends and 2 corners), two 4 ft gates, 8 ft post spacing and 100 ft rolls: fabric length = 200 - 8 = 192 ft. 192 / 8 = 24 sections, minus 1 and minus 2 for the corners = 21 line posts. Terminal posts = 4 + 4 gate posts = 8.
Top rail: 192 / 21 = 9.1, so 10 sections. Fabric: 192 / 100 = 1.9, so 2 rolls. Tension bars: 8, with 5 bands each. Ties: 192 + 3 x 21 = 255. Concrete: 21 + 2 x 8 = 37 bags. Posts are 6 + 2 = 8 ft long.
Quick reference
| Fence length | Line posts | Top rail (21 ft) | Fabric rolls (50 ft) | Concrete bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| 100 ft | 9 | 5 | 2 | 13 |
| 150 ft | 14 | 8 | 3 | 18 |
| 200 ft | 19 | 10 | 4 | 23 |
| 300 ft | 29 | 15 | 6 | 33 |
How to estimate chain link fence materials
Start with the fabric length: the total run minus the gate openings. Divide by the post spacing and round up for sections. Line posts are one fewer than sections because the ends of each run are held by terminal posts, and each corner post replaces a line post as well. Every gate adds two gate posts, which are terminal posts with hinges and a latch.
Top rail is sold in 21 ft sections that swage together, so divide the fabric length by 21 and round up. Fabric comes in 50 ft rolls; leftover fabric from the last roll cannot be returned, so lay out the runs to use it. Each terminal and gate post gets a tension bar woven through the fabric and held by tension bands, one band per foot of height minus one.
Posts, concrete and installation
Set terminal and gate posts first in holes about 8 in wide and 30 in deep, and line posts in narrower holes about 2 ft deep, all in concrete. Posts are the fabric height plus 2 ft, and line posts are set 2 in lower than terminals so the top rail and loop caps sit flush. Let the concrete cure before stretching the fabric.
Stretch the fabric from one terminal post to the next with a come-along and a stretcher bar until the diamonds no longer squeeze together easily, then tie it to the top rail about every 12 in and to each line post with three ties spread over the height, which is how the tie count above is figured. Many cities cap front-yard fences at 4 ft and side and rear fences at 6 ft, and require a setback from the property line; confirm both before setting posts.
Key facts
- Residential chain link fabric is 11-1/2 gauge wire in a 2 in diamond mesh; 9 gauge is the commercial standard.
- Line posts are set no more than 10 ft apart; typical residential line posts are 1-5/8 in in diameter, terminal posts 2-3/8 in and top rail 1-3/8 in.
- Fabric is sold in 50 ft rolls, with 100 ft rolls available for long runs, in 4, 5 and 6 ft heights for residential work.
- Top rail comes in 21 ft sections with a swaged end that slips into the next piece, or in 10 ft 6 in lengths.
- Posts are set about 2 ft deep in concrete, so a 4 ft fence uses 6 ft posts and a 6 ft fence uses 8 ft posts.
Frequently asked questions
How many posts do I need for 100 ft of chain link fence?
At 10 ft spacing, 100 / 10 = 10 sections, so 9 line posts plus 2 terminal posts at the ends. Add 2 gate posts for each gate and 1 terminal post at each corner.
How far apart should chain link fence posts be?
No more than 10 ft between line posts. Use 8 ft on 6 ft fences and in windy areas so the fabric stays taut and the rail does not sag.
How long should chain link fence posts be?
The fabric height plus 2 ft in the ground: 6 ft posts for a 4 ft fence, 7 ft for a 5 ft fence and 8 ft for a 6 ft fence.
How much concrete do chain link posts need?
About one 50 lb bag per line post and two per terminal or gate post. A 150 ft fence with one gate and 10 ft spacing uses 22 bags.
Sources and references
- CLFMI Product Manual (fabric, framework and fittings specifications) (Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute)
- Chain link fence step-by-step installation guide (Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute)
- Chain link product information and specification sheets (Master Halco)
- QUIKRETE Fast-Setting Concrete Mix product page (Quikrete)
Next steps for this project
The usual order for a framing, decks & fences project. See all framing, decks & fences calculators.
Results are estimates based on standard formulas and typical product specifications. Confirm quantities with your supplier and local code before ordering.