How it works
The calculator takes the gate openings off the fence length, then counts each part with the rules in Master Halco’s chain link check list.
Fabric = Top rail = Fence length − Gate openings
Rolls = ⌈ Fabric ÷ Roll length ⌉ · Rail sticks = ⌈ Top rail ÷ Stick length ⌉
Runs = End posts ÷ 2 + Corner posts
Line posts = ⌈ Fabric ÷ Post spacing ⌉ − Runs
Tension bars = Rail ends = Brace bands = End posts + 2 × Corner posts
Tension bands = Tension bars × ⌈ Fabric height ÷ 1 ft ⌉
Carriage bolts = Tension bands + Brace bands
Tie wires = Line posts × ⌈ Fabric height ÷ 12 in ⌉ + ⌈ Top rail ÷ 24 in ⌉
⌈ ⌉ means rounding up to the next whole piece. A run is a straight stretch of fabric between two terminal posts; a straight fence with one gate in it has two runs.
The parts of a chain link fence
A residential chain link fence is a frame of steel tube with woven wire fabric stretched over it. Terminal posts stand wherever the fabric stops or turns: the ends, both sides of each gate and every corner. Line posts stand between them. The top rail runs along the top of the line posts through loop caps and ends in rail ends that are clamped to the terminal posts with brace bands. At each terminal post the fabric is threaded onto a flat tension bar, which is held to the post by tension bands. Tie wires fasten the fabric to the line posts and to the top rail. Each band is closed with a carriage bolt, and each post gets a cap.
The calculator counts all of these in one go, so your shopping list doesn’t miss the small parts that hold the fence together.
Counting terminal posts
Count every point where the fabric stops. A straight fence has two end posts. Each gate adds two gate posts – one on each side of the opening – which are counted with the end posts. A fence around a yard that starts and ends at the house has two ends; a fully closed enclosure has none, only corners. Master Halco’s specification puts a terminal post at every change of direction of 30° or more, so count each such bend as a corner.
End and gate posts take one tension bar, one set of tension bands and one rail end. A corner post takes two of each, because fabric is stretched to it from both sides.
Line post spacing
The check list says to space line posts equally, with a maximum span of 10 ft. Equal spacing matters: if a 47 ft run would leave a short last bay at 10 ft spacing, spread the posts out to 9.4 ft instead. The calculator counts line posts for the whole fabric length at once, which is exact for a single straight run. With several runs, each run is spaced on its own and a run that doesn’t divide evenly can need one more post, so check each run if the fence has many short sides.
Closer spacing may be needed in windy areas. Master Halco’s specification says fences with windscreens or privacy slats, and very tall fences, need a wind load analysis for post size and spacing, and it refers to the Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute wind load guide. This calculator doesn’t choose a spacing for you.
Fabric rolls and top rail
Fabric is sold by the roll – Master Halco lists most of its residential fabric in 50 ft rolls. The calculator counts rolls for the total fabric length, which assumes the rest of one roll carries on into the next run. If your runs are far apart and each needs its own pieces, check that the leftovers are long enough, or count rolls per run.
Top rail comes in sticks: Master Halco stocks 21 ft, 22 ft and 24 ft lengths. Rail is sold with a swedged (narrowed) end that slides into the next stick, or with plain ends that are joined with sleeves – Master Halco lists both. The swedged joint overlaps a few inches, which can matter when a length comes out just under a whole number of sticks.
Worked example in words
A 100 ft straight fence with 4 ft fabric, no gates and posts every 10 ft: the fabric is 100 ft, so two 50 ft rolls. One run between two end posts gives 100 ÷ 10 − 1 = 9 line posts. Top rail is 100 ft, or 4.76 – so 5 – sticks of 21 ft. Each end post takes a tension bar with four bands (one per foot of height), a rail end with a brace band and a cap: 8 tension bands, 2 brace bands and 10 carriage bolts. Tie wires: 9 line posts × 4 ties plus 1,200 in ÷ 24 in = 50 ties on the rail, 86 in total.
What is not included
Gates are bought as complete units with their own hinges and latch. Concrete for the posts, rail sleeves, bottom tension wire and its hog rings, and the brace rails and truss rods that some fences need at terminal posts are not counted. Post diameters, lengths and setting depth depend on the fence height, the soil and local rules – use the fence maker’s charts or a qualified installer, and the post hole and concrete calculators for the holes.
Worked example
Inputs
- Fence length
- 100 ft
- Gate openings
- 0 ft
- Fabric height
- 4 ft
- End and gate posts
- 2
- Corner posts
- 0
- Line post spacing
- 10 ft
- Fabric roll length
- 50 ft
- Top rail stick length
- 21 ft
- Tension band spacing
- 12 in
- Tie wire spacing on line posts
- 12 in
- Tie wire spacing on top rail
- 24 in
Result
- Fabric and top rail length
- 100 ft
- Fabric rolls
- 2
- Terminal posts (end, gate, corner)
- 2
- Line posts
- 9
- Top rail sticks
- 5
- Tension bars
- 2
- Tension bands
- 8
- Rail ends
- 2
- Brace bands
- 2
- Carriage bolts
- 10
- Terminal post caps
- 2
- Line post loop caps
- 9
- Tie wires
- 86
Common mistakes
- Counting a gate post as a line post. Gate posts are terminal posts – the fabric ends there and is stretched to them with a tension bar and bands.
- Forgetting that a corner post takes two of everything. Fabric is stretched from both sides, so a corner post needs two tension bars, two sets of tension bands and two rail ends.
- Buying fabric for the full fence length including the gates. Gates come with their own frame and fabric; subtract the openings.
- Spacing line posts more than 10 ft apart to save posts. Master Halco’s check list sets 10 ft as the maximum span, and its specification calls for a wind load analysis when you add privacy slats or windscreens.
- Using the nominal fabric height for terminal posts. Posts are longer than the fabric because part of them goes into the ground – check the post length chart for your fence height.
Assumptions and limits
- Fabric and top rail run the full fence length minus gate openings.
- Line posts are spaced evenly at no more than the spacing you enter; the count is for the total length, so separate short runs can each need one more post.
- Fittings follow the Master Halco check list – tension bars and rail ends 1 per end post and 2 per corner post, 1 brace band per rail end, tension bands by fabric height, 1 carriage bolt per band, 1 cap per post.
- Rolls and rail sticks are rounded up to whole units. Offcuts are not planned, and the overlap of swedged rail ends is not subtracted.
- Gates, concrete, sleeves, bottom tension wire and bracing are not counted. Post sizes, depth and spacing are structural decisions for the fence maker, local rules or a professional.
Frequently asked questions
How many tension bands do I need per post?
Master Halco’s check list says to use 1 tension band for each foot of fabric height, per tension bar. A 4 ft fence needs 4 bands on an end post and 8 on a corner post, which has a tension bar on each side. Some installers use one fewer band per bar; follow the instructions for your fittings.
How far apart are chain link line posts?
Master Halco’s check list says to space line posts equally with a maximum span of 10 ft, and its specification gives 10 ft on center as the maximum unless wind-load calculations require closer posts. Use the spacing from your fence maker or local rules.
How many tie wires do I need?
The Master Halco check list uses 1 tie for every 12 in of line post and 1 tie for every 24 in of top rail. For a 100 ft fence with nine line posts and 4 ft fabric, that is 36 ties on the posts and 50 on the rail – 86 in total.
How long is a roll of chain link fabric?
Master Halco lists most of its fabric in 50 ft rolls, and some fabric in 25 ft or 100 ft rolls. Check the roll you are buying. The calculator counts rolls for the total fabric length, assuming the rest of one roll carries on into the next run.
What is the difference between a brace band and a tension band?
Both clamp around a terminal post. Tension bands hold the tension bar that pulls the fabric tight, and you need several per bar. Brace bands hold a rail end (the cup that the top rail sits in), so you need one per rail end.
Sources
- Chain Link Blue Book – Check List (CL-1), fabric and pipe tables — Master Halco. Fabric "Same length as fence, minus gate openings"; rail "Same length as fabric"; line posts "Space line posts equally, maximum 10’ span"; tension band "Use 1 for each foot in height"; tension bar "1 for each end post. 2 for each corner post"; rail end "1 for each terminal post. 2 for each corner post"; brace band "1 for each rail end"; carriage bolt "1 for each tension band. 1 for each brace band"; post cap "1 for each terminal post"; eye top "1 for each line post"; ties "1 for every 24” of top rail" and "1 for every 12” of line post"; fabric "Feet Per Roll: 50"; top rail tubing in 21’, 22’ and 24’ lengths.
- Galvanized Chain Link Fence – Guide Specification (32 31 13) — Master Halco. "Locate terminal post at each fence termination and change in horizontal or vertical direction of 30° or more"; line posts "maximum 10’ (3048 mm) on center" or as wind-load calculations require; tension bands "spaced maximum of 15”"; ties to line posts at 15” and to rails 24” on center.
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C – General Tables of Units of Measurement — National Institute of Standards and Technology. Exact unit definitions: 1 in = 2.54 cm, 1 yd³ = 27 ft³, 1 US gal = 231 in³, 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg.
Method reviewed November 4, 2026