Chain-Link Fence Calculator

Fabric rolls = run length × (1 + your extra) ÷ the roll length, rounded up: a 48 ft chain-link run takes 2 rolls of 50 ft, 6 posts and 5 top-rail pieces of 10 ft.

Your measurements

Example

Use the unit shown for each box, or type another one: 12 ft 6 in, 150 in, 3.8 m and 600 mm all work, as do the marks on a tape measure.

Fence section 1

Section name Horizontal section length (ft) Grade rise over this section (ft) Start at previous section’s end Distance to first gate post (ft) Distance between gate post centers (ft) Use zero for no gate. Use the post spacing from the gate drawing, including hardware clearances.

Maximum spacing along the slope

Details Package sizes, prices and materials

Extra fabric (%) Fabric per roll Usable top-rail length Tension bands per run end Ties per linear foot

Example: replace these measurements

Your material list

2 fabric rolls+ 1 more item on the list

48 ft measured run

Your measured layout

Post layout for the selected section. A dashed opening is the gate. Rise is listed separately; this is not a sloped elevation. Dense runs show fixed posts only.

Your shopping list

2 fabric rolls
5 top-rail pieces

Quantities and package details

Solid fence along slope: 48 ft
Gate openings between post centers: 0 ft
End posts: 2
Corner posts: 0
Gate posts: 0
Grade-change posts: 0
Line posts: 4
Top-rail pieces: 5
Tension bars / rail ends: 2 each
Tension wire before spares: 48 ft
Tension bands: Enter system requirement
Ties: Enter system requirement

Grade-change posts are counted as terminals. Confirm stepped or sloped fabric, gate leaves, hinges, latches, caps and braces with your supplier.

The calculation

Fence section: 48 ft horizontal length; 0 ft grade rise; no gate.
0 to 48 ft: 5 bays at 9.6 ft along the slope.
Horizontal post centers from section start: 0, 9.6, 19.2, 28.8, 38.4, 48 ft.
48 × (1 + 5/100) ÷ 50, rounded up = 2 fabric rolls.

Common questions

How much chain-link fabric do I need?

The solid fence length along the slope, plus your extra, divided by the roll length and rounded up. Gates come as separate kits.

What is the difference between terminal and line posts?

Ends, corners, gates and grade changes take terminal posts, which carry the tension bars and bands; line posts stand between them. The list gives each type separately.

How much top rail do I need?

Each solid span needs its length divided by the usable rail length after the joint, rounded up.

How to plan the quantity

Enter a straight section between fixed post locations. Its length and gate positions are horizontal measurements between post centers. Use the gate drawing for the distance between gate posts, including the hardware clearances.

Place a gate by entering its first post’s distance from the start and the distance to its second post. The solid fence on either side gets its own equal bays. Add another section at a corner or grade change; choose how its first post connects to the previous end.

A grade rise increases the fence length along the slope. Each section has a constant slope; split it where the grade changes. Post centers are listed horizontally from the start, while the maximum bay spacing is measured along the slope.

Line, end, corner, gate and grade-change terminal posts stay separate. Each solid fence connection at a terminal needs a tension bar and rail end. Enter band and tie requirements from your system; gate hardware and braces remain uncounted until your supplier specifies them.

Before you order

No fence height, mesh specification, post gauge or footing design is selected by this calculator.
Slopes, stepped runs and gates can change the fitting schedule. Missing product-specific fittings remain a supplier question, not zero.

Before ordering, read the guide: How to measure for a fence: posts, gates, corners and slopes. Or choose another calculator.