Chain Link Fence Calculator

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Chain Link Fence Material Calculator

Estimate your project materials and costs for residential or commercial fencing.

4 Feet 5 Feet 6 Feet 8 Feet

Estimated Materials Required

Terminal Posts: 0
Line Posts: 0
Top Rail (21′ sections): 0
Chain Link Fabric (ft): 0
Tension Bands: 0
Post Caps: 0
Estimated Project Total: $0.00

How to Plan Your Chain Link Fence Installation

Planning a chain link fence requires more than just measuring the perimeter. You must account for the different types of posts—terminal posts and line posts—and the specialized hardware required to secure the mesh fabric. This calculator helps you break down the components based on standard industry installation practices.

Understanding the Components

  • Terminal Posts: These are the thicker posts used at corners, ends of the fence run, and on either side of a gate. They provide the structural tension needed to keep the mesh tight.
  • Line Posts: These are the smaller posts placed between terminal posts, usually spaced every 8 to 10 feet to support the top rail and fabric.
  • Top Rail: The horizontal pipe that runs along the top of the fence, giving it rigidity and a clean line.
  • Chain Link Fabric: The "mesh" or "wire" itself, typically sold in 50-foot rolls.
  • Tension Bands: These wrap around terminal posts to hold the tension bars (which in turn hold the fabric).

Example Calculation

If you are installing a 100-foot fence in a straight line with 2 end posts and 1 gate (which requires 2 gate posts), your terminal post count would be 4. With a 10-foot spacing, you would need approximately 7 line posts to fill the gaps. The height of your fence determines how many tension bands you need per post (usually height minus one).

Installation Tips

  1. Property Lines: Always confirm your property boundaries before digging post holes.
  2. Post Depth: Posts should typically be set 24 to 36 inches deep in concrete, depending on your local frost line.
  3. Gate Clearance: When measuring for gates, ensure you subtract the width of the gate hardware from the opening.
  4. Tension is Key: Use a fence stretcher or come-along to pull the fabric tight before securing it to the terminal posts.
function calculateFence() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fenceLength').value); var height = parseInt(document.getElementById('fenceHeight').value); var spacing = parseFloat(document.getElementById('postSpacing').value); var corners = parseInt(document.getElementById('numCorners').value); var ends = parseInt(document.getElementById('numEnds').value); var gates = parseInt(document.getElementById('numGates').value); var costPerFt = parseFloat(document.getElementById('costPerFoot').value); if (isNaN(length) || length <= 0) { alert("Please enter a valid fence length."); return; } // Terminal Posts = Corners + End Ends + 2 per gate var terminalPosts = corners + ends + (gates * 2); // Total posts needed roughly (Length / Spacing) // We add 1 for the starter post, then subtract the terminals already counted var totalPostsRaw = Math.ceil(length / spacing) + 1; var linePosts = totalPostsRaw – terminalPosts; if (linePosts < 0) linePosts = 0; // Top Rail – Standard is 21ft lengths var topRailSections = Math.ceil(length / 21); // Tension Bands – Rule of thumb: Height – 1 per terminal post var tensionBands = terminalPosts * (height – 1); // Caps – Every post needs one var totalCaps = terminalPosts + linePosts; // Cost var totalCost = length * costPerFt; // Update Display document.getElementById('resTerminalPosts').innerText = terminalPosts; document.getElementById('resLinePosts').innerText = linePosts; document.getElementById('resTopRail').innerText = topRailSections; document.getElementById('resFabric').innerText = length; document.getElementById('resTensionBands').innerText = tensionBands; document.getElementById('resCaps').innerText = totalCaps; document.getElementById('resTotalCost').innerText = "$" + totalCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}); document.getElementById('resultsArea').style.display = 'block'; }

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