How to estimate a chain link fence (cost per linear foot)
Chain link estimates live or die on the fittings count, not the fabric. The fabric and top rail scale linearly with footage, but tension bands, brace bands, and post caps are easy to undercount — and they’re where the margin leaks.
Installed range
$12–$25/ft
Typical height
4 ft
Post spacing
10 ft o.c.
The per-linear-foot formula
Line posts: divide LF by 10 ft on center (chain link’s standard) — Line posts = ceil(LF ÷ 10) − 1, because terminal posts replace the ends.
Terminal posts: one at each end, corner, and gate (the heavier posts that take the tension). Terminal = ends + corners + gate posts.
Fabric: ordered by the linear foot to height; add ~5% for stretch and tie-in.
Top rail: LF in 21-ft sticks, plus rail ends at each terminal.
Fittings per terminal post: tension band = (height in ft − 1), one brace band, one tension bar, one post cap; line posts get a loop cap each. Tie wires roughly every 24 in on rail and 12 in on posts.
- Line posts = ceil(LF ÷ 10) − 1
- Terminal posts = ends + corners + gates
- Tension bands per terminal ≈ height(ft) − 1
- Tie wires ≈ LF × 1.3
Material checklist
Galvanized vs vinyl-coated changes both fabric and fitting pricing.
- Chain link fabric (galvanized or vinyl-coated), by height
- Line posts + terminal posts (heavier gauge)
- Top rail + rail ends + loop caps + post caps
- Tension bars, tension bands, brace bands
- Tie wires and hog rings
- Gate frames + gate hardware
- Concrete for terminal and gate posts
Labor considerations
Chain link goes up fast on open, flat sites — a two-person crew can run 200–300 LF a day. The time sinks are stretching fabric tight, building gates, and tying off.
Commercial-height (6–8 ft) and top-rail-plus-bottom-tension-wire specs add labor and fittings, so estimate those separately from residential 4-ft.
- Fabric stretching and tensioning
- Gate fabrication and hanging
- Bottom tension wire vs bottom rail spec
- Privacy slats (add material + insertion labor)
What moves the price
Coating (galvanized vs black vinyl-coated), gauge/height, and gate count are the main drivers. Fittings are cheap individually but the count climbs quickly with corners and gates.
chain link fence FAQ
- How much does a chain link fence cost per linear foot?
- A residential 4-ft galvanized chain link fence typically runs $12–$25 per linear foot installed. Vinyl-coated (black) fabric and taller commercial heights push toward the top of the range and beyond.
- How far apart are chain link fence posts?
- Line posts are set up to 10 ft on center. Terminal posts (ends, corners, and gates) are heavier and set wherever the run starts, stops, or turns.