Estimate posts, rails, fabric, fittings, and total cost for your chain link fence
Chain link fences have more individual components than wood fences, which can make the materials list confusing. Here's what each part does:
Heavy-duty posts at ends, corners, and gates. Larger diameter than line posts. These anchor the entire fence.
Lighter posts spaced every 10 feet between terminal posts. They support the mesh fabric but don't bear tension.
Horizontal pipe running along the top of the fence. Sold in 10.5-foot lengths that sleeve together.
The woven diamond-pattern wire. Sold in rolls (usually 50 ft). 11.5 gauge is standard residential.
Flat metal bars woven through the mesh at each terminal post. They spread the pulling force evenly.
Clamps that attach tension bars to terminal posts. You need 3–4 per terminal post depending on fence height.
Chain link uses two types of posts, and getting this right is critical. Terminal posts go at every end, corner, and both sides of each gate opening. Everything else is a line post. For a simple rectangular yard with one gate: 2 ends + 4 corners + 2 gate posts = 8 terminal posts, plus a line post every 10 feet along each run.
Chain link fabric is sold in rolls, typically 50 feet long. The fabric height should match your fence height — don't try to cut a 6-foot roll down to 4 feet. Buy 10% extra length to account for waste at corners and gates where you'll need to cut and restart runs.
Top rail comes in 10.5-foot lengths that sleeve together. Divide your total fence length by 10 and round up. The slight extra length on each piece (the 0.5 feet) accounts for the overlap at each joint.
Chain link is the most affordable fencing option at $8–18 per linear foot for materials. The biggest cost is the mesh fabric itself, followed by the posts. For a typical 150-foot residential fence at 4 feet high, expect to spend $1,200–1,800 in materials. The same fence at 6 feet runs $1,800–2,700.
Professional installation for chain link typically adds $5–15 per foot, which is less than wood fence installation since the process is more mechanical and faster.
Chain link's biggest downside is lack of privacy. You can add privacy slats (vertical strips woven through the mesh) for about $3–5 per linear foot, or attach privacy screen fabric for $1–3 per foot. Green or black vinyl-coated chain link looks better than galvanized and costs only about 15–20% more.
← Full Fence Calculator (all types)