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.
Posts
12
6 line · 6 terminal
Mesh fabric
2
50 ft rolls · 4 ft tall
Top rail
5
21 ft pieces
Concrete
18
60 lb bags
Posts by type
Estimates only. Verify against your supplier's coverage figures before ordering.
Footprint
Chain-link elevation
12 posts (6 line · 6 terminal) · 10 ft spacing · 4 ft tall · 1 gate
Layout
- Fenced footage
- 96 ft(100 ft − gates)
- Stretches
- 4 runs
- Fabric height
- 4 ft
- Line post spacing
- 10 ft
Fence length minus the gate openings — the run actually covered by mesh.
Straight runs between corners, ends, and gates; each one gets its own line posts.
Height of the chain-link mesh itself — sold in rolls.
Center-to-center gap between the lighter line posts (10 ft max by code).
Hardware
- Rail ends
- 8 pcs
- Brace bands
- 8 pcs
- Tension bars
- 8 pcs
- Tension bands
- 24 pcs(3 per terminal side)
- Loop caps (line)
- 6 pcs
- Post caps (terminal)
- 6 pcs
- Tie wires
- 72 pcs
Fittings that join the top rail pipe to the end, corner, and gate posts.
Bands that clamp the top rail to a terminal (end/corner/gate) post.
Vertical bars woven through the fabric edge so you can stretch it tight.
Bands stacked up each terminal post that grip the tension bar — about one per foot of height.
Caps on the lighter line posts with a loop the top rail passes through.
Dome caps that finish the tops of the heavier end, corner, and gate posts.
Short wires that tie the mesh to the top rail and posts every foot or so.
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.