Chain Link Fence Calculator
Chain-link uses a totally different parts list than a wood fence — no pickets or rails, just stretched mesh on a pipe framework. Enter your total run, height, and the number of corners and gates to get terminal and line posts, top rail, fabric, all the tension hardware (bands, bars, rail ends), caps, ties and concrete. Open Advanced options to tune post spacing, bag counts and add a bottom tension wire.
Your measurements
Standard residential chain-link comes in 4, 5 and 6 ft fabric heights.
Each corner is a heavier terminal post that anchors the fabric on two runs.
Each gate adds 2 terminal posts and a ~4 ft opening that breaks the run.
Layout
- Fenced footage
- 96 ft(100 ft − gates)
- Stretches
- 4 runs
- Fabric height
- 4 ft
- Line post spacing
- 10 ft
Hardware
- Rail ends
- 8 pcs(connect top rail to terminals)
- Brace bands
- 8 pcs
- Tension bars
- 8 pcs(thread the fabric edge)
- Tension bands
- 24 pcs(3 per terminal side)
- Loop caps (line)
- 6 pcs
- Post caps (terminal)
- 6 pcs
- Tie wires
- 72 pcs
Posts
12
6 line · 6 terminal
Mesh fabric
2
96 ft · 50 ft rolls · 4 ft tall
Top rail
5
21 ft pieces
Concrete
18
60 lb bags
Posts by type
Estimates only. Order a little extra for waste and verify against your supplier's coverage figures.
The formula
Terminal posts = 2 ends + corners + 2/gate · Line posts = ⌈run ÷ spacing⌉ − stretches · Tension bands = terminal sides × (height − 1) · Top rail = ⌈run ÷ 21 ft⌉
Example: A 100 ft, 4 ft chain-link run with 2 corners and 1 gate ≈ 6 terminal posts, 6 line posts (12 total), 5 top-rail pieces, 2 rolls of fabric, 24 tension bands and about 18 × 60 lb bags of concrete.
How it works
- 1Break the perimeter into straight runs — each corner and each gate starts a new stretch.
- 2Terminal (end, corner and gate) posts = 2 run ends + every corner + 2 per gate. They're heavier pipe that holds the fabric tension.
- 3Line posts = total fenced footage ÷ spacing (max 10 ft on center), one fewer per stretch.
- 4Top rail and mesh fabric both run the full fenced footage; top rail comes in 21 ft sticks, fabric in 50 ft rolls.
- 5Each terminal-post side gets a rail end, brace band and tension bar, plus (height − 1) tension bands. Line posts get loop caps; terminals get dome caps.
- 6Set terminal posts in 2–3 × 60 lb bags of concrete and line posts in 1, below the frost line.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between terminal and line posts?
Terminal posts are the heavy posts at every end, corner and gate — usually 2-3/8 in pipe — because they anchor the stretched fabric. Line posts are the lighter (1-5/8 in) posts every 10 ft in between; they just hold the fence upright and carry the top rail.
How far apart do chain-link posts go?
Line posts are spaced a maximum of 10 ft on center. Terminal posts go at every corner, end and gate regardless of spacing, since they handle the tension when the fabric is stretched.
How much concrete does each post need?
Plan on 2-3 × 60 lb bags for each terminal post (they carry the most load) and about 1 bag for each line post. Dig terminal holes a bit wider and deeper, and always set posts below your local frost line.
Do I need a top rail and tension wire?
Top rail is standard on residential chain-link and keeps the fabric from sagging. A bottom tension wire is optional but recommended for pet runs — it stops dogs from pushing under the fabric. Turn it on under Advanced options to add it to your list.