How the chain link fence calculator counts parts
Chain link is sold as a kit of separate pieces, and each piece is counted by a different rule. The calculator splits your fence line into straight stretches between terminal posts (corners, ends and the two posts beside each gate), then counts from there.
Fabric rolls = fenced length × 1.1 ÷ 50 ft, rounded up. Top rail sticks = fenced length × 1.1 ÷ 10 ft, rounded up. Tension bands per bar = fence height in feet − 1.
Fabric comes in 50 ft rolls and top rail in 10 ft 6 in swedged sticks. The swedged end slides 6 in into the next stick, so each stick covers 10 ft. Merchants Metals gives exactly these rules: divide the footage by 50 for rolls and by 10 for rail, and round up. We add 10% on top because nobody measures a fence line to the inch. Line posts go in at equal spacing no wider than 10 ft, the limit that both CLFMI and Master Halco set.
The fittings follow the terminal posts. Master Halco counts one tension bar, one rail end cup and one brace band for each end or gate post, and two of each for a corner, because a corner post ends the fabric on both sides. Every tension bar takes one band less than the fence height in feet. Each band and each brace band takes a carriage bolt. Fence ties go every 12 in up each line post and every 24 in along the top rail.
A worked example
A 150 ft fence, 4 ft high, with two corners and one 4 ft walk gate: this is what the calculator opens with.
- The gate leaves 146 ft of fabric. The three sides are 50 ft each, and the gate splits one side into two stretches of 23 ft.
- Line posts: each 50 ft side gets 5 sections of 10 ft (4 line posts), each 23 ft stretch gets 3 sections (2 line posts). That is 12 line posts and 6 terminal posts (2 corner, 2 end, 2 gate).
- Fabric: 146 × 1.1 ÷ 50 = 3.2, so 4 rolls. Top rail: 146 × 1.1 ÷ 10 = 16.1, so 17 sticks.
- Tension bars: 2 ends + 2 gate posts + 2 × 2 corners = 8 bars, with 3 bands each for 24 tension bands.
- 8 brace bands and 8 rail end cups, 6 dome caps, 12 loop caps and 32 carriage bolts.
- Ties: 12 line posts × 4 plus 146 ÷ 2 on the rail gives 121, or 134 ties with the allowance.
- Concrete: 15 bags of 50 lb fast-setting mix for 18 holes 24 in deep over 6 in of gravel, 6 in wide for line posts and about 7 in for terminals.
A contractor would charge roughly $1,268 to $3,370 for that job, gate included, from HomeAdvisor's $8 to $20 per foot for a 4 ft fence and $100 to $450 per swing gate. The chain link fence cost calculator breaks the price down further.
Parts by fence height
Taller fabric needs more tension bands and deeper footings. The footing depth follows ASTM F567 as summarized by CLFMI: 24 in, plus 3 in for every foot of height over 4 ft.
| Fabric height | Bands per tension bar | Bands on a corner post | Footing depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 ft | 2 | 4 | 24 in |
| 4 ft | 3 | 6 | 24 in |
| 5 ft | 4 | 8 | 27 in |
| 6 ft | 5 | 10 | 30 in |
| 7 ft | 6 | 12 | 33 in |
| 8 ft | 7 | 14 | 36 in |
Master Halco lists 3 bands for a 3 ft fence rather than 2, so buy one extra per bar if you want to follow their sheet. When you change the fence height in the calculator, raise the hole depth to match this table.
Why are terminal posts bigger than line posts?
Terminal posts hold the pull of the stretched fabric, so they are 2 3/8 in outside diameter against 1 5/8 in for line posts, the sizes in the Merchants Metals planner. Master Halco sets terminal posts 2 in taller than the fabric and line posts 2 in shorter, so the top rail passes through the loop caps just under the terminal tops.
How far apart should chain link posts be?
No more than 10 ft center to center. The calculator divides each straight stretch evenly, so on a 23 ft stretch the posts land 7 ft 8 in apart rather than 10, 10 and 3. For other fence types, see the fence post spacing calculator.
Do I need a bottom tension wire?
Master Halco lists it as optional: the length of the fence less the gate openings, clipped to the fabric every 24 in. It keeps the bottom of the fabric from being pushed out. Add it to your list by hand if you want it.
What about the concrete?
Each post gets its own footing. The calculator works out the volume of each hole less the post, then rounds up for the whole job, so leftover mix from one hole goes into the next. For another bag size or a different hole, use the fence post concrete calculator. To compare chain link with other fences on the same line, try the fence calculator.