Chain link is still the lowest cost-per-linear-foot fence you can install professionally, which
is why it dominates commercial, industrial, dog runs, baseball fields, and any perimeter where
visibility and durability beat curb appeal. Galvanized 2-inch mesh at 4 feet tall runs as low
as $8 per linear foot installed; a 6-foot PVC-coated run for a warehouse tops out
around $20.
The catch: chain link has more parts than any other fence type - mesh, top rail, line posts, terminal posts, tension bands, tension bars, brace bands, fittings, ties. Miscount any of them and you're making a second lumberyard run. Here's how to estimate chain link right the first time.
Chain Link Cost by Height & Coating
- 4 ft galvanized (residential): $8 – $13 per linear foot installed
- 6 ft galvanized (commercial): $13 – $18 per linear foot installed
- 6 ft PVC-coated (black or green): $15 – $22 per linear foot installed
- 8 ft with barbed-wire extension: $22 – $32 per linear foot installed
A 200-foot galvanized 6 ft commercial run with two gates typically falls between
$2,800 and $4,200. PVC-coated adds roughly 20% for materials alone
but improves lifespan in salt-air or industrial atmospheres.
The Chain Link Parts List (Don't Skip Any)
1Mesh
Chain link is sold by mesh opening (2" is standard), wire gauge (9 gauge
for residential, 6 gauge for industrial), and roll length (usually 50 ft).
Always round UP to the next full roll - rolls can't be re-sold partial.
2Terminal Posts vs. Line Posts
Terminal posts (corners, ends, gates) are thicker and pricier than line posts. A straight 100-foot run has 2 terminal posts; a rectangular yard has 4+ corners plus gate posts. Mixing these up is the fastest way to blow a chain link quote.
3Top Rail, Tension Wire, Fittings
Top rail runs continuously along line posts. Bottom tension wire is optional but prevents animals from pushing the mesh up. Per terminal post you need: 1 tension band per foot of height + 1 tension bar + 1 brace band + 1 rail end. Per line post: 1 loop cap + 4 fence ties per 6 ft of mesh. Print the list before you head to the supplier.
4Gates
Chain link gates are sold as a complete frame with hinges and latch. A standard 4 ft walk
gate runs $120–$200; a 12 ft double-drive gate for vehicles runs
$450–$800. Heavy-duty industrial gates with cantilever slides can
exceed $2,000.
Run Your Numbers
Our Chain Link Fence Calculator auto-generates the full parts list - mesh rolls, terminal and line post counts, top rail, tension bands, fittings, and gates - based on your fence dimensions and corner count. No more hand-counting tension bands.
Ready to stop losing project details?
Keep every estimate, note, and approval in one timeline your whole crew can trust. Free to start.
Start Your Free ProjectBy · Last verified